26 Feb 2015

A question about : ash insurance query

a big hello to all on the forum.

my situation is that i have a 2 week package booked to turkey in july.
as yet i still have to get insurance sorted and was wonering if anyone has any advice on whether i need to try to get covered against the effects of the volcanic ash or would standard insurance be sufficient - given that most policies now do not cover what is a deemed as a 'known risk'.

i have read that some companies do still offer ash disruption cover but would this be more for those who have booked flights and accomodation separately?

in other words what would be the benefits of any premium cover over and above the obligations of my package provider in the event of cancellation or delays or expenses incurred while away due to as disruption.

any advice would be greatly appreciated
thanks
ski

Best answers:

  • just back from lanzarote was delayed 17 hours.Looked up my insurance and i thought i would be covered for flight delay as it was more than 12 hours.It said i would get Ј40 for first 12 hours plus Ј 20 per 12 hours after.(better than nowt i thought,as i would be missing a days pay).The delay would be covered for strike ,weather or mechanical breakdown.I got all the relevant paper work and guess what?not covered as the delay was due to the erruption of a volcano and not due to the weather systaem carrying the ash.What a ridiculous interpritation.They never want to pay out.
  • insure and go.Said it was on instruction of their underwriters
  • just saw this on another forum
    2. Last week Columbus Direct added extra protection on its policies offering cover for ANY unforeseen emergency - including the Ash Cloud, strikes, natural disasters etc. At present Columbus is the only insurer in the UK offering such cover. With BA strikes almost a certainty for later this summer the key thing is to buy your insurance as soon as you book your holiday/trip and certainly before any new strikes are called - as once they’ve been announced then it won't be covered.
  • thanks for the replies
    but im still none the wiser.
    i guess what i am really trying to find out is if it is worth it to get premium cover when i could probably get standard insurance maybe Ј30 or Ј40 cheaper and on the understanding that the tour operator will be liable for any expenses incurred or alternative accomodation or flights arranged should the worst happen
    regards
    ski
  • I have my travel insurance with the post office. They deemed this as "delayed departure due to bad weather". Paying out something similar Ј20 for the first 12 hours and Ј20 for every 12 hours up to a max of Ј300 (per person). They've already sent me a cheque back for Ј480 which has been cleared my account last week....... no excess deducted either.