Volcanic ash travel insurance coverage

zaphod2009

I have an annual world-wide travel insurance with Direct Line and am considering a short trip within the UK at the end of this month. I contacted Direct Line to find out if I was covered for expenses such as cancelled car rental/hotel bookings associated with the trip given that there may be a possibility that my flight could be cancelled as a result of furthere disruption from the Icelandic eruption. I was told that anything booked prior to the eruption was covered but I was travelling at my own risk for anything booked now.

The first point I have to make is that this is a change in the terms of my insurance (taken out well before the eruption) and that I have not been informed by Direct Line of this change in their terms and conditions.

The second point is that these new terms means that any travel booked between now and the time the eruption ends will incur the same "wriggle-factor" from Direct Line although I have not seen any reduction in annual premium proposed. Given that there is no way I can determine in advance whether a flight will be cancelled, particularly with the new CAA regulations relating to ash density (but only applying to certain aircraft) I fail to see how these new terms are fair.

Finally, given the reports that the eruption of this volcano is frequently accompanied by the eruption of a neighbouring volcano, will an eruption of this be considered an extension of the current eruption and hence, again, insurers will apply their "wriggle factor"?

Has anybody found an insurer that will continue to cover travel disruption costs as I am looking for a new insurer.

FH_Brit

No - you are wrong - slightly - Anual policy is multi trip in any 12 month period, but when/if you travel, it is the conditions that exist at the time of booking or travel that count.

Insurance is for unexcpected events, if you book knowing that event is ongoing then it is a known event and you will not be covered.

There will be a "clause" in your policy that covers these events and you should have read before you agreed to the T&C's (as we know - no one ever reads their T&C's like they shoud).

Same as a PEMC, for example, You take anual ins out in January and in March you are diagnosed with an illness that affects your policy, you are obliged to inform the insurers, and if you fail to do so and then make a claim, it will be denied.

It is not a "wriggle factor" by them it is more like a "con factor" by you trying to get things that you were already informed about, and you ticked the box or clicked it on line that said "I have read and agreed........ so, I'm sorry you cannot blame Direct Line or any other insurer for your short commings!

Quentin

zaphod2009 wrote: »

Has anybody found an insurer that will continue to cover travel disruption costs as I am looking for a new insurer.

From next month you will be able to buy an add on to cover this with Aviva. (You will have to take an aviva policy too). The airspace or airport will need to have been closed for 24 hours before the cover pays out.

bigsy

This link is to an article in today's Observer about the new Aviva volcanic ash insurance: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/may/23/volcanic-ash-travel-insurance

thommy

FH_Brit wrote: »

No - you are wrong - slightly - Anual policy is multi trip in any 12 month period, but when/if you travel, it is the conditions that exist at the time of booking or travel that count.

Insurance is for unexcpected events, if you book knowing that event is ongoing then it is a known event and you will not be covered.

There will be a "clause" in your policy that covers these events and you should have read before you agreed to the T&C's (as we know - no one ever reads their T&C's like they shoud).

Same as a PEMC, for example, You take anual ins out in January and in March you are diagnosed with an illness that affects your policy, you are obliged to inform the insurers, and if you fail to do so and then make a claim, it will be denied.

It is not a "wriggle factor" by them it is more like a "con factor" by you trying to get things that you were already informed about, and you ticked the box or clicked it on line that said "I have read and agreed........ so, I'm sorry you cannot blame Direct Line or any other insurer for your short commings!

sorry, this reply is a little patronsing and not wholly accurate. it matters when you bought your annual policy.as per observer link below, direct line themselves contradict the advice the op was given. for example

'Will my travel insurer pay up?

It depends on your insurer's small print. After the April disruption some insurers did agree to offer a payout – these included RBS and its associated brands Direct Line, Churchill, and NatWest; HSBC; and Biba.

Some insurers may still offer payments on policies bought before the initial problems began – for example, annual policies. However, most are now refusing to offer cover on policies bought since April's disruption.

Direct Travel Insurance is one insurer which says it will provide protection in some circumstances. A spokeswoman explains: "If the Spanish airports were closed today, you were planning to fly to Spain tomorrow and purchased a policy from us today then tried to claim because your flight had been cancelled, it is likely that your claim would be rejected.

"However, if you bought a policy today for your holiday in July and your travel plans were affected by volcanic ash, it is likely that the claim would be paid as you couldn't reasonably know now that your plans would be affected in July."'

note the last paragraph. you can pontificate about reading t&cs properly all you want but when it comes to things such as natural occurrences, or 'acts of god', insurers have plenty of 'wriggle' room to decide if they want to pay up or invoke that get-out. it's a grey area that has no definitive answer and, as per the last paragraph, it is not even down to a company policy anymore but that company's respnse to each individual policy....

direct travel will still cover....or so they say!
http://www.direct-travel.co.uk/faq/am-i-covered-for-travel-disruption-caused-by-the-icelandic-volcanic-ash-incident.aspx

FH_Brit

thommy wrote: »

sorry, - apoplgy accepted! this reply is a little patronsing - I don't see the OP complaining! and not wholly accurate - if I covered everything anbd every difference in every policy 100% I would use up all MSE's webspace! Advice given is "general" and the OP (not anyone speaking for them) can chose to ignore it if THEY want to. My boss would also be very upset at the time I spent doing this and not my work! ! ! Pl;ease be reasonable and think about accusing people of being patronising - what gives you the right to say this when I was replying to someone else. If YOU do think that - then ignore me - I'm not forcing you to read it or enter into any discussion orargument! it matters when you bought your annual policy.as per observer link below, direct line themselves contradict the advice the op was given. for example

'Will my travel insurer pay up?

It depends on your insurer's small print. After the April disruption some insurers did agree to offer a payout – these included RBS - as per my frequesnt recommendations to RBS as a "decent insurer" and its associated brands Direct Line, Churchill, and NatWest; HSBC; and Biba.

Some insurers may still offer payments on policies bought before the initial problems began – for example, annual policies. However, most are now refusing to offer cover on policies - or start of travel dependent on the T&C's - my point presicely bought since April's disruption.

Direct Travel Insurance is one insurer which says it will provide protection in some SOME - not all - My "general" comments prtecisely circumstances. A spokeswoman explains: "If the Spanish airports were closed today, you were planning to fly to Spain tomorrow and purchased a policy from us today then tried to claim because your flight had been cancelled, it is likely that your claim would be rejected. - and if you reasd the link the airport would have to be closed for 24 hours before they pay out! - There's still conditions in EVERY case, EVERY insurer - WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS

"However, if you bought a policy today for your holiday in July and your travel plans were affected by volcanic ash, it is likely that the claim would be paid as you couldn't reasonably know now that your plans would be affected in July."' - Ah - REASONABLY - what you consider "reasonable" can be totaly different to what they do!

note the last paragraph. you can pontificate about reading t&cs properly all you want but when it comes to things such as natural occurrences, - Ah, but only some insurers are - the less than decent (or cheap) policies are saying "Act of God" and other excuses and leaving people suck! or 'acts of god', insurers have plenty of 'wriggle' room to decide if they want to pay up or invoke that get-out. Again - my point exactly - get a decent insurer! it's a grey - only to the cheapo insurers! area that has no definitive answer and, as per the last paragraph,??? it is not even down to a company policy anymore but that company's respnse to each individual policy....Individual company that issues the individual policy - contradiction in terms there I think!

direct travel will still cover....or so they say! - Read the FULL T&C'S ! ! ! ! (THAT'S THE LEGAL BINDING CONTRACT - not the "short extract" from one of their many policies)
http://www.direct-travel.co.uk/faq/am-i-covered-for-travel-disruption-caused-by-the-icelandic-volcanic-ash-incident.aspx

See my response to your points in Red

FH_Brit

QUENTIN - You know nothing about my job!
Please refrain from making personal comments (as per forum rules).

To clarify, the Debt Collection side of my job is only "debt" because under law the patient that returns home leaving medical bills unpaid as they have the wrong illusion that the IOC are responsible.

The "armchair lawyers that will remain nameless, on here give totally wrong information and people who listen to them end up paying the price.

I am used to accusations from people klike Quentin, and IC's like Axa who give totally wrong information to travelers and leave them "hung out to dry". My advice is based on the FACT that if YOU do not pay your bill (NOT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY), then YOU will be held responsible. I can give many case examples where patients automatically think that I am wrong and then "find out the hard way".

Lady in Wembley = £19,000.00 paid as her IC did not.

Man in Kent = Told me to "place my bill" somewhere as he thought he was not responsible for his grandchildren's bill - His Florida holiday home now has a lien on it and he is credit reported so his US bank account (that he uses for his holiday home) is frozen and (if the medical facility wishes - my company do not go this far) can issuer an arrest warrent for him as it is a Criminal offence for a minor child's medical bills to be left unpaid (what good is his holiday home if he is arrested upon entry to the US?).

If anyone reading this does not believe me, then that is your choice (you could search my other posts and see how many people have actually experienced my professional services and will back up what I have posted.

Where argumentative posters (like Quentin) get it wrong is that they "think" they know every law and rule because the UK laws/rules apply outside the UK, or so they think.

When people travel to foreign countries then they must adhere to the local laws where they are traveling and not the laws from their home country. This is backed up by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.

Thommy - all I can say is you are entitled to your opinion but the FACTS are what they are - and all I can say uis that if you are ever unfortunate to need medical treatment here in Orlando, then "on your head be it" and I know if Quentin is ever in that possition then his "I know better" attitude will leave him dealing with my team!

I see people everyday that think as you do and although they may well "eat their words" after dealing with my company.

What you don't understand is I put more travel insurance claims in to IC's in one day than (probably) 99% of people here submit in a lifetime. You may deal with the same IC all your traveling life and claim once or twice if you are unlucky, or maybe 2/3 if you change policies. I deal with most IC's mentioned here on a daily basis (Insure&Go, Fortis, Inter-Group, Axa, RBS, UK Insurance, Travel Claim Services, BUPA, etc. etc.) I have lectured in International Medical Billing (the latest 2 weeks ago) for many trade organisations and individual companies and I am due to speak at the International Medical Conference in Los Angeles in September.

I give my opinion and view as to what IC is giving good value for money to YOU, the traveler, and if paying your claim quicker so I do not have to "come after you" is not what you think is a "decent" insurer, then go with Axa (or other poor company) and you too may experience my team on a professional basis and "pay the price". If you do find yourself dealing with us - see my post here that Martin thanks me for (and lets face it if none of ys beleived Martin then we would no be here.........

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1011487

FH_Brit

Quentin - I have never said "outa here" - I have said that I ignore you - Just a little correction there as you are "inventing" my posts again.

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

Quentin - I have never said "outa here" - I have said that I ignore you - Just a little correction there as you are "inventing" my posts again.

No, this is what you told us when being corrected:

FH_Brit wrote: »

You all can do what you want - I give up!

On the subject of "inventing" posts, please show where I have given "totally wrong information to travellers"! Just a lie.

You have given totally wrong information, and been subsequently corrected, though then tend to refer to any corrections of your bad info as "picking holes", etc!

thommy

well, have just returned to thread and noticed a bit of 'gardening' has been done.

fh brit: i just don't know where your arguments come from and what on earth provokes your responses.
your reply to op was not wholly accurate and i'll persist in saying, patronising. yes, i'm entitled to disagree with you, especially if i feel your advice is not particularly helpful to a poster. that does not make me an expert, no. but i have as much right to chip in as you. you think it wasn't patronising or belittling the way you wrote your replies?
'See my response to your points in Red ' What's that about, eh? You might as well have written 'see the headmaster when you've finished your lines, boy'.
there are many people who seem to want to justify their existence on mse and when someone dares to contradict them, they clearly react as if it were a personal slight and react as if to say 'how dare those that do not exist in my world of expertise have the jumped-up gumption to question my wise authority with their naive, un-knowing insolence'....
MSE is not the holy grail. It's fast becoming a site for obsessives. and not just financial ones.
just look at the mycitydeals messes that are beginning to pile up....
there. i have gone wildly off track. there's no personal abuse here. just my honest opinion, given after another thread where it is clearly wrong to give an answer to a subject which one clearly knows nothing about. (and i'm the one who had a post removed!!).

nickpagelondon

It's So Easy Travel Insurance (just Google for their site) covers claims related to volcanic ash. It comes under their section for travel delay and abandonment. If you're delayed for longer than 24 hours, you can abandon your trip and your expenses are covered up to the level for cancellation (£3,000).

As long as you don't book the insurance or your trip after an airport or airspace has been closed, you'll be covered.

They have a policy for people with no medical conditions or they can include cover for people who do have them.