Traveling Near a Volcano
Some of the most beautiful locations around the world are home to volcanoes – active and dormant. There’s Hawaii, Italy, Iceland, Japan, Alaska – the list can go on and on. Areas with volcanoes often attract tourists looking for amazing views or challenging hiking trails. While this can be exciting and beautiful, traveling near volcanoes has its risks.
How would a volcanic eruption affect your trip?
Would travel insurance cover interruptions or cancellations?
Our travel insurance experts are shedding some light on what to expect if a volcano eruption does interrupt or disrupt your trip.
Consider Protecting Your Trip with Travel Insurance
If a volcano hasn’t erupted yet, but a possible eruption is imminent, many insurance providers will treat a future eruption as a “foreseen” event and will not cover its impact; other companies may wait for an actual eruption.
Also, some providers may still allow for coverage to be purchased for upcoming travel, depending on your travel needs and proximity to the volcano. You may also be eligible for Cancel for Any Reason coverage, depending on when you booked your trip. InsureMyTrip’s licensed customer care representatives can direct you to the right plan and provider for you and your trip.
Be Sure to Double Check Your Existing Coverage
If you purchased a policy before a volcano starts acting up, contact InsureMyTrip, directly, and ask a representative about how your travel insurance policy will cover you for volcano-related issues. We can’t pre-determine claims, but we can help to explain wording in the plan certificate related to cancellation, interruption, and travel delay benefits. It’s always best to know the extent of your coverage before any travel disruption.
Travel Insurance has Worked for Volcano-Related Trip Disruptions in the Past
In 2010, travel disruptions related to the drifting Icelandic volcanic ash were treated as weather-related trip cancellations for those who had not started their trip and as weather-related trip interruptions for those who were stranded.
Volcano-related claims totaled millions of dollars after the eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull. Travel insurance companies may react differently as volcano activity occurs; there is no set standard in the industry – each situation is different.
Costs Can Possibly be Reimbursed
cruise, or airfare charges) up to the amount you insured. Some policies can also help with the additional travel costs of getting you back home – up to 50% of the original trip cost.
Also, for those stranded, travel delay benefits may be available to reimburse your costs for hotel and food you may incur while delayed.
Note: Each policy will have a maximum amount available for reimbursement.
Don’t Panic If You’re Stuck or Have a Flight Delay
If you are stuck due to an ash cloud, call the 24/7 emergency assistance phone line found on your travel insurance policy. Representatives at the assistance company can often help you book a trip home, or find you a place to stay overnight.
You May be Eligible for Cancel for Any Reason
With a policy offering Cancel for Any Reason benefits, you will be able to cancel your trip for any volcano-related reason, regardless of the covered cancellation reasons listed on your plan. This is a time-sensitive benefit on some plans, typically only available 10-21 days after making the first payment on your trip. Also, other requirements must be met (e.g., you must cancel 48 or more hours before departure, and you must insure 100% of trip costs). Finally, you are only going to receive a percentage of your investment back – typically 50% – 75%.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
