Volcano-proof travel insurance

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

Man of Honour
Joined
17 Oct 2002
Posts
160,218
Hi guys,

I am aware of two things.

a) Some travel insurers are not covering the disruption caused by the ash cloud.

b) The remaining travel insurance companies are keen to point out that cover taken out, say, today wont cover you because the incident is already happening.

I'm planning to book flights to LA this weekend for September - a long way off - but at the back of my mind, I am mindful of Katla and the potential that in a few months, it might too go off and cause long term problems. I want to make sure I'm not out of pocket.

Whats the best thing to do about this? All I am actually buying right now is flights - presumably if the flights are not running, I am entitled to a refund?
 
Surely if it's a potentially different volcano erupting in the future you'd be ok as it's a new event. Only if the current one is still causing problems will you get into trouble... But I guess with insurance companies nothing is that simple!
 
Would like the answer to this also. Wanting to book flights to Rome for sept aswell.
 
What companies actually cover this, I've looked around a few and most don't cover 'acts of God'; i.e volcanoes etc
 
Well, M&S sent out a memo saying although it is not normally covered, they will allow people to claim this time...
 
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The whole 'we dont cover an act of god' thing is so stupid - surely thats the entire point in insurance. To cover against unforseen bad things.
 
My girlfriend is insured with Endsleigh which covers delays caused by 'adverse weather', as long as you take out comprehensive cover. She is currently stuck in South Africa at the moment and the policy should have expired today but it's automatically extended until she returns home, free of charge. She can claim the money she's had to spend during the delay which is good because she's had to visit a doctor out there to get some fairly important medication and cost a lot.
 
[TW]Fox;16395770 said:
The whole 'we dont cover an act of god' thing is so stupid - surely thats the entire point in insurance. To cover against unforseen bad things.
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I think its probably to do with the fact that you can't blame anyone :cool:
 
qqg3 said:
I think its probably to do with the fact that you can't blame anyone :cool:
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Surely if you could find blame for something you wouldnt in theory need insurance - as you could sue the negligent party instead.

Insurance is surely for situations where there is no blame, and therefore nobody else to claim from.
 
[TW]Fox;16395632 said:
Whats the best thing to do about this? All I am actually buying right now is flights - presumably if the flights are not running, I am entitled to a refund?
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The cheap seats are typically non-refundable - though you can sometimes change them for a fee (£90 + difference in price on Virgin). If you want to avoid any risk, you want an unrestricted ticket, and you'll pay through the nose for it.

xen_ said:
Get seperate volcano insurance.
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This. It's an insurable risk, like any other risk. I don't know if any such an insurance exists, but I wouldn't be surprised if one turned up very soon.

aa6972 said:
Well, M&S sent out a memo saying although it is not normally covered, they will allow people this time...
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Only for existing customers of course. It's now a pre-existing event, and like all insurance, they don't cover pre-existing conditions.
 
[TW]Fox;16395770 said:
The whole 'we dont cover an act of god' thing is so stupid - surely thats the entire point in insurance. To cover against unforseen bad things.
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Unforseen bad things that are beyond their or anyone's control are excluded, insurance is there as a reverse bet. The likelihood that an engine will fail, that luggage will be lost, all variables that are controlled by industry standards and records, and therefore offer fixed odds.

The odds that a volcano will disable the entire European flight network is not one that can be calculated, hence you're not offered a bet on it. Or if you are, it's niche.
 
Berserker said:
The cheap seats are typically non-refundable - though you can sometimes change them for a fee (£90 + difference in price on Virgin).
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Surely they are refundable if the flight ceases to exist?

If you want to avoid any risk, you want an unrestricted ticket, and you'll pay through the nose for it.
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You are suggesting that to cover yourself against the airline not operating your flight, you shoudl buy a ticket 3 times more expensive?
 
[TW]Fox;16395770 said:
The whole 'we dont cover an act of god' thing is so stupid - surely thats the entire point in insurance. To cover against unforseen bad things.
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You are unlikely to get insurance in the private market that covers 'act of god' events. Actuarial insurance breaks down when the probability of making a claim is not independent from the other insured individuals.

If you need to claim in September because all flights are affected, everyone will be claiming - how can they insure against that?
 
JC said:
If you need to claim in September because all flights are affected, everyone will be claiming - how can they insure against that?
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Using the millions of pounds that we paid them, plus the many millions they are already sitting on.
 
I get annual worldwide cover with Halifax. Called them today as I'm have flights booked to Milan in 2 weeks. I wanted to know if they'd cover the hotel if I didn't make it..yes as long as I provide a letter from airline saying it was cancelled. Sorted. Flights are covered through the airline.
 
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