Volcano insurance invalid

dzug1

I saw a report somewhere this morning (and I can't find it again) that Fortis Insurance were treating this as weather related

stevemarsh1976

dzug1 wrote: »

I saw a report somewhere this morning (and I can't find it again) that Fortis Insurance were treating this as weather related

sorry lengthy this one

Impact of volcanic ash event on Fortis travel insurance policies

15/04/2010

Following major travel disruption resulting from today's volcanic ash incident, leading insurer Fortis UK advises its customers in the first instance to contact their travel operator or airline to see if alternative arrangements can be made and to recover any reasonable costs.

Fortis will be treating the volcanic ash incident as a bad weather event which means that customers may be entitled to claim under the terms of their travel insurance policy. Customers are advised to check their terms and conditions.

Delays to journeys from the UK and journeys into the UK
All policies include a Delay compensation benefit which is designed to provide cover in the event that either an outward journey from the UK or a return journey to the UK is delayed for a minimum period specified in the policy.

A specified amount (as detailed in the customer's policy document) is payable by Fortis. This benefit is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of refreshments and overnight accomodation where appropriate.

In addition to this, airlines have certain obligations in terms of providing refreshments and overnight accomodation to customers returning to the EU travelling on a European airline. Customers are advised to contact their airline to discuss this.

Any Delay benefit provided by Fortis is paid in addition to any compensation offered by the airline.

Abandonment of trips from the UK
All Fortis policies provide Abandonment cover which comes into effect if a customer's outward journey from the UK is delayed for a minimum period of 12 hours and they choose to abandon their holiday. This benefit is designed to provide cover for travel and accommodation costs which customers are unable to reclaim from any other source. Therefore, if an airline or tour operator confirms they will refund costs in such circumstances, no benefit will be payable by Fortis for the same amount.

Connecting flights within the UK
Fortis polices provide a Missed Departure benefit in the event that a customer is unable to reach the departure point of their international flight from the UK because of delays to (or cancellations of) connecting UK domestic flights.

In such cases, a benefit (as specified in each policy wording) will be payable by Fortis to compensate for additional accommodation or travel arrangements. This benefit is only payable in the event that the International flight actually leaves the UK (otherwise claims fall for consideration under Delay and Abandonment cover). This cover does not apply to journeys solely within the UK.

Fortis recommends that, in every instance, customers contact their tour operator or travel provider for advice.

In all situations customers must be aware that they will need to provide evidence of cancelled or delayed flights.

Customers are advised to check their policy terms carefully for specific limits and compensation amounts.

HouseHuntr

Salisbury wrote: »

I am stranded abroad because of the volanic ash preventing flight and have just called my insurance company, Direct travel insurance, to discuss my options. They said that volcanic ash isn't stated in their policy, so their insurance doesn't cover me for anything. No delayed departure, no alternative means of travel...nothing. I am appalled.

Does anyone else have a similar experience? Is your insurance willing to pay out? Is your insurer one who hides behind the smallest of small print? Now is the time to find out where the good insurers actually are.

Personal recommendation - do not touch Direct Travel Insurance with a bargepole.

Amazing how when stranded abroad people think of coming on here to tell a story when they should have more pressing concerns to think about.

Then again TROLLS don't have brains do they!

Salisbury

Thanks Househuntr for such a positive reply. I am stranded but booked on a flight tomorrow night. I am currently googling my alternatives, including trains and cars in case this drags on. Maybe I should be visiting museums instead?

I used this site because most people are genuinely helpful and offer some very positive advice. When others are stranded, of which there are 100,000s they will also be googling to find some advice. Hopefully this thread helps others too?

The downside of making a post is that there are people out there who are far from helpful.

JamesU

HouseHuntr wrote: »

Amazing how when stranded abroad people think of coming on here to tell a story when they should have more pressing concerns to think about.

Then again TROLLS don't have brains do they!

And why shouldn't they? Salisbury has recieved a pretty good appraisal of the situation and valuable info from a few contributors here in no time. Well done everybody and keep up the support.

JamesU

dacouch

JamesU wrote: »

And why shouldn't they? Salisbury has recieved a pretty good appraisal of the situation and valuable info from a few contributors here in no time. Well done everybody and keep up the support.

JamesU

I agree, Salisbury is asking valid questions, has not resorted to the standard of calling Insurers crooks etc and actually took the time to find a decent policy without buying on price alone.

They are very valid posts and could be of help to other MSE members / viewers.

People forget that MSE comes very high up on google returns so it is inevitable there will be lots of new posters in this sort of unusual situation and hopefully they will receive good advice and go onto become regular MSE users

neilandelaine

I am a novice to forums and I found the information on this thread very useful. For my fellow agnostics my insurance company is treating this event as a " natural disaster" which is not covered. Thanks to all contributors.

JamesU

neilandelaine wrote: »

I am a novice to forums and I found the information on this thread very useful. For my fellow agnostics my insurance company is treating this event as a " natural disaster" which is not covered. Thanks to all contributors.

Extra links on rights on flights for anybody unsure on what sort of asssistance they should be receiving:

MSE

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/travel/2010/04/uk-airports-closed-icelandic-volcanic-ash-cloud-your-rights

The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7593543/Flights-cancelled-by-volcanic-ash-what-are-your-rights.html

BBC news

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8621779.stm

Moneyfacts

http://moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/travel-insurance/cancelled-flights-and-your-rights/

JamesU

martinrothwell

I am new to the forum and run a company called World first - We are travel insurance specialists. The vast majority of insurers have agreed that they will cover this situation as an Adverse Weather Condition and whilst this is not strictly speaking the case, the news and weather are saying it is a weather phenomen. Most airlines and operators are refunding or transferring bookings. I cannot comment for all insurers and I am aware that several including AXA travel insurance and not covering anything, but I think there are more out there who are covering it than whom are not. It is rare to find the "act of god" clause in travel insurance and this is more commonly a legal defence rather than a specific policy term.

nelbo009

The insurer I work for has travel insurance underwritten by AXA, and they are providing limited cover. Depending on the policy, some customers are covered under a section pertaining to "catastrophes and natural disasters", allowing them up to £500 for any additional transport costs incurred to reach their final destination (eg. the final leg of a trip), or for hotel accommodation during the extended stay abroad. All policies are also automatically being extended as a gesture of goodwill until the customer is able to fly home.

There is no cover in place at all for cancellation or curtailment though.