Vacations And Volcano's

Grimsvotn volcano

The Iceland volcano eruption is starting to cause flight cancellations in Scotland and the ash cloud is heading south across the UK. The following info was issued by the Association of British Insurers...

• Contact your airline for the latest information about travel arrangements. If your flight is cancelled airlines should offer you either a full refund or an alternative flight. EU-based airlines are required to offer you accommodation and meals if you are delayed in getting home to the UK.
• If your flight is cancelled and you do not travel, insurers will refund your premium if you took out single trip travel insurance. If you arrange an alternative flight at a later date, your travel insurer should be able to change your policy to cover this.
•  Following the ash cloud disruption in April 2010, it has been possible to buy travel insurance which specifically covers cancellation, delay and curtailment due to ash cloud disruption. Check your policy for the terms and conditions.
•  Check your travel insurance policy for any cover that may be available. While volcanic ash is not a specific risk in most policies, some may cover delay and any subsequent abandonment. Your travel insurer can advise.
•  Payment for any delay, whether outward or return, is usually a fixed sum for a specified period up to a maximum amount. Some policies may pay a lump sum if the delay is over a certain time (typically 24 hours), and you are forced to abandon your trip.
•  Where your travel policy covers ash disruption then you will be covered for this latest eruption, provided you took the policy out before this latest eruption could have been reasonably foreseen. Check with your insurer on this and any initial periods when cover may be limited.
•  ABI member travel insurers will provide information for customers on their websites wherever possible. Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: "Travel insurance is designed to work alongside, and not duplicate, any compensation you are entitled to from your airline or tour operator.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389639/Iceland-volcano-2011-Flights-Scotland-cancelled-ash-drifts.html#ixzz1NG0aNV9GNote: Please check with your tour operator or airport before you leave home to check the latest conditions.