Icelandic volcanic ash alert grounds UK

Please read the following important information for policies with the reference WHIIL/EW/01/2010 or WHIIL/EW/04/2010

Cancellation

There is no cover provided under this section as insured events in the policy wording are specific and this scenario is not one of these specified events.

Travel Delay and Abandonment

This section excludes claims arising from withdrawal of service temporarily or otherwise of the aircraft on the orders or recommendation of the Civil Aviation Authority.  For this reason, cover is not in force as the authorities have grounded/delayed flights.  In addition to this, insurers do not class this volcanic eruption as a weather event and, whilst most policies provide cover for adverse weather, this does not apply in these circumstances.

Insurers have advised no cover is in place for dynamically packaged bookings where clients have had flights delayed or cancelled, however clients who are still aboard and are unable to travel back home will automatically have their insurance extended until such time they can travel home.

For now, policyholders should contact their travel providers as many airlines are offering to amend or refund bookings.

The Association of British Insurers have called an emergency meeting as the eruption is such an unusual event, therefore the above stance may change once the meeting has taken place. We are constantly in discussion with our insurers and will continue to update you as and when we receive further information.