If you’ve added Section 12 (Natural disaster cover) and it’s shown on your policy schedule, a volcanic eruption may be treated as a “natural disaster” and Section 12C (Extended accommodation cover) may help with extra accommodation and transport costs if you can’t use your booked accommodation. This does not apply to Silver policies.
What you need to know:
- When it counts as a natural disaster: The eruption must happen after you bought the insurance and not be a known event before travelling, in the location, and it must damage local infrastructure and/or accommodation so access or availability isn’t possible or can’t be guaranteed.
- What Section 12C can pay for: Up to £1,000 for either irrecoverable unused accommodation costs (and other pre-paid charges) because you couldn’t travel or use your booked accommodation, or reasonable extra accommodation and transport costs if you need to move (up to the standard of your original booking) and/or be repatriated with prior authorisation from the 24-hour emergency service.
- Evidence you’ll need: Written confirmation explaining why the accommodation couldn’t be used and confirming reimbursement isn’t being provided; you must also seek refunds or compensation from the transport operator where relevant.
- What isn’t covered: Airport Passenger Duty and other refundable taxes, normal day-to-day costs (such as food and drink), and anything excluded under the policy’s general exclusions; an excess may also apply (check your policy schedule/summary).
- Who it applies to: Only if you’ve paid for Natural disaster cover and it’s shown on your policy schedule (Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum). This policy is not available on Silver policies.
Policy differences
For customers with the optional upgrade in place, the excess on these optional-upgrade claims is £75 on Gold and Gold Plus, and there is no excess on Platinum (as shown in your policy schedule).