Natural Disaster cover is an optional upgrade that can extend your policy for certain travel disruption costs caused directly or indirectly by a defined natural disaster, but only if you’ve paid for it and it’s shown on your policy schedule.
What counts as a “natural disaster”
Natural disaster (definition): Events such as wildfire, earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslide, avalanche, cyclone, typhoon and/or tornado, happening after you bought the insurance in the area where you’re due to stay, and damaging local transport infrastructure and/or accommodation so access/availability can’t be guaranteed.
What it can cover (Section 12)
- Extended delayed departure (Section 12A): If your booked public transport is cancelled/delayed and your departure is delayed by more than 12 hours, it can pay £20 for the first full 12 hours and £10 for each additional full 12 hours (up to £100) if you continue your trip. It can also pay up to £1,000 if you abandon your trip because the alternative transport offered isn’t suitable (including involuntary denied boarding where no suitable alternative flight is available within 24 hours).
- Extended missed departure (Section 12B): Up to £500 for suitable extra accommodation (room only) and necessary travel costs to reach your destination and/or return to the UK if disruption results from cancellation/delay over 12 hours, diversion/re-route after take-off, failure of other scheduled public transport, or involuntary denied boarding with no suitable alternative within 12 hours (and the alternative offered isn’t suitable). Ticket refunds and operator compensation are deducted from what’s payable.
- Extended accommodation (Section 12C): Up to £1,000 for either irrecoverable unused accommodation costs (and other prepaid charges) if you can’t travel/use your booked accommodation, or reasonable extra accommodation/transport costs to move (up to your original booking standard) and/or to repatriate you with prior authorisation from the 24-hour emergency service.
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How claims are limited: You can only claim under 12A or 12B for the same event (not both), and you can’t claim the same costs under more than one section for the same event.
- You must buy the policy before the natural disaster happens: The policy definition requires the natural disaster to be “occurring… after this insurance was purchased.
- If the disaster has already happened before you buy the policy: It won’t meet the policy’s definition of a natural disaster for Section 12.
- Where it applies: It doesn’t apply to trips that are solely within your home country.
Proof we may ask for
Evidence: Written confirmation from the transport operator/handling agent and/or accommodation provider/authority (including why you couldn’t travel or use accommodation, what alternatives were offered, and confirmation where reimbursement won’t be provided). You must also seek refunds/compensation from the transport operator where relevant.
What isn’t covered
Not covered: Refundable taxes (including APD), normal day-to-day costs (like food/drink), regulator withdrawal from service, and documentation issues (passport/visa). General exclusions apply.
Policy differences
- Silver: Natural Disaster travel disruption benefits don’t apply.
- Gold/Gold Plus/Platinum: Available as an optional upgrade. If you claim under this upgrade, the excess is £75 on Gold/Gold Plus and nil on Platinum (where applicable).
Read your policy documents.
For more detail on Natural Disaster cover (Section 12) and the definitions on page 17, see the policy wording here.