insurance and volcanoes
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Hornsey

Original Poster:

242 posts

215 months

Friday 7th May 2010
quotequote all
I've done a search but not found anything relevant so I hope I'm not repeating many recent topics.

I'm planning a holiday with my O/H next month to California and I'm on the hunt for travel insurance. With all the recent problems with cancelled flights due to volcanic ash I was wondering if there are any companies that would cover cancellation due to such events. We're spending quite a chunk of cash on this holiday and I don't want to lose it if we can't fly. Any advice gratefully received.

Simon Brooks

1,526 posts

267 months

Saturday 8th May 2010
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Pick any high street holiday insurance company and phone them and ask what their cover includes, my understanding is that they can't hide behind the act of god get out clause (unless of course they want to prove there is or isn't a god and if there is what religion he or she might be, would love love to see that one argued by some smart a*se lawyer)

I am taking a party of 45 6th form rugby players to NZ in July for 3 weeks and have just emailed the tour company this exact query about volcanic disruption, they have referred me back to my insurance company, so I guess HSBC will getting a call on Monday morning

Simon Brooks

1,526 posts

267 months

Saturday 8th May 2010
quotequote all
Pick any high street holiday insurance company and phone them and ask what their cover includes, my understanding is that they can't hide behind the act of god get out clause (unless of course they want to prove there is or isn't a god and if there is what religion he or she might be, would love love to see that one argued by some smart a*se lawyer)

I am taking a party of 45 6th form rugby players to NZ in July for 3 weeks and have just emailed the tour company this exact query about volcanic disruption, they have referred me back to my insurance company, so I guess HSBC will getting a call on Monday morning

Miss Pitstop

4,289 posts

218 months

Saturday 8th May 2010
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I've been looking into this as we have just booked our honeymoon for November.

Basically, as the volcano is now a known risk, nobody will cover you. Speak to the company you are travelling with to see what they would do - we asked Kuoni and they said they would rebook or refund if the holiday is delayed for more than 24 hours. Quite frankly, if I'm stuck in the maldives I won't be pushing to get back!

Hornsey

Original Poster:

242 posts

215 months

Saturday 8th May 2010
quotequote all
This seems to be the problem now it's a known event. I'm not too bothered about being stranded out but was more concerned that we may not be able to leave the UK. I'll speak to the travel agents about it.

Lemmonie

6,314 posts

271 months

Saturday 8th May 2010
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I am travelling on saturday to Portugal (hopefully!)

Firstchoice said they will move us to another holiday and if its more expensive we pay extra and if its cheaper we get a refund. No admin costs incurred or we can simply get a full refund if we chose not to reschedule.

Really though i need to go on holiday on saturday, if it is to somewhere different im not too bothered but ideally it must be that week as i have booked clients accordingly