Volcanic Ash Cloud – April 2010
As a result of the ongoing eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull on Iceland, volcanic ash has blown across the UK and parts of Northern Europe. Volcanic ash can be dangerous for aircraft, causing damage, reducing visibility, and potentially clogging engines.
You are advised to contact your airline/tour operator or departure airport directly to obtain up to the minute information regarding travel plans.
Travel Insurance Cover
Travel Delay (Policy Section 4): Rapidinsure Travel insurance policies contain a Travel Delay section that offers a fixed benefit following a delay of 12 hours at the international departure point. A benefit of £10 is payable after 12 hours and a further £10 for each 12 hours thereafter, up to a maximum of £100.
For this cover to apply you must have checked-in for your flight/journey in line with your original booking conditions.
Passengers who were unaware of the incident on Thursday 15th April and checked in as above will be covered. The Policy terms and conditions will be strictly applied for all delay claims submitted in respect of delay after 16th April when passengers were fully aware of the incident.
Abandonment (Policy Section 4): There is no cover under this section of the policy.
Questions and Answers
Q. I have contacted my airline/tour operator and they advised that my flight has been cancelled. What happens next?
A. In these circumstances most airlines/tour operators will offer an alternative. If the alternative is not acceptable, you have a right to a refund from the airline/tour operator.
The Airline is required under EU Directive 261/2004 to offer either:
- re-routing to the same destination at the earliest opportunity
- later rerouting, at the passenger's convenience, to the same destination or
- a refund of the ticket as well as a return flight to the point of first departure, when relevant.
Under the ‘Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992’ tour operators must repay all monies relating to the holiday contract if an alternative is not offered and accepted by the customer.
N.B. If you have other associated costs, not emanating from an airline or package tour operator, that cannot be cancelled without incurring a cost to yourself, such as accommodation or car hire costs (and you are unable to obtain a refund for these costs from your credit card company), we will extend the cover for abandonment (under section 4) to include such losses provided that we receive a letter from the airline to confirm your flight was cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud, subject to policy limits.
Q. I am stuck overseas as my flight home has been cancelled?
A. This is a matter for your airline or tour operator, so please speak with them directly. In addition as the circumstances are beyond your control, your insurance cover automatically extends, without charge, until such time as you are able to return to the UK.