Natural disaster cover is an optional upgrade that can help with specific travel disruption costs if a natural disaster affects your trip.
What this article helps you do
This article explains when natural disaster cover may apply under Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum. It also explains the three parts of the upgrade: extended delayed departure, extended missed departure and extended accommodation.
Applies to
- Applicable policies: AllClear Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum
- Trip type: Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trips
- Who it applies to: People insured under the policy
- Prerequisite: Natural disaster cover must be shown on your policy schedule and the additional premium must have been paid
- Not included if: The trip is solely within your home country
Quick answer
- Natural disaster cover is optional and only applies if it is on your policy schedule.
- It only applies to travel disruption caused directly or indirectly by a natural disaster.
- It does not apply to trips solely within your home country.
- You can claim under extended delayed departure or extended missed departure for the same event, not both.
- If the same cost is covered under another policy section, you can only claim that cost under one section.
- You must provide written evidence from the transport operator, accommodation provider or relevant authority where required.
What counts as a natural disaster?
A natural disaster means wildfire, earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslide, avalanche, cyclone, typhoon or tornado.
The event must happen in the area where your booked accommodation is located after the policy was bought. It must damage local transport infrastructure or the accommodation so that access to, or availability of, the accommodation is no longer possible or cannot be guaranteed.
Natural disaster cover amounts
Natural disaster cover includes three parts:
- Extended delayed departure cover: up to £1,000.
- Extended missed departure cover: up to £500.
- Extended accommodation cover: up to £1,000.
The excess is shown in the Summary of Cover for your level of cover.
Extended delayed departure
Extended delayed departure can apply if scheduled public transport is cancelled or delayed because of a natural disaster.
It can help if the delay is more than 12 hours at:
- The departure point of connecting public transport in the United Kingdom.
- The departure point for travel to your overseas destination.
- The departure point for your return journey home.
If you continue your trip, the policy can pay:
- £20 for the first full 12 hours of delay.
- £10 for each additional full 12 hours.
- Up to £100 in total for this delayed departure benefit.
This payment is intended to help with telephone calls, meals and refreshments bought during the delay.
Extended delayed departure can also apply if you abandon your trip because the alternative transport offered to your overseas destination was not suitable.
In that situation, the policy can help with irrecoverable unused accommodation, travel costs and other prepaid charges, up to the extended delayed departure limit. This can apply where: Scheduled public transport from the United Kingdom is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours; or You are involuntarily denied boarding because there are too many passengers and no suitable alternative flight is provided within 24 hours.
Extended missed departure
Extended missed departure can help with suitable additional room-only accommodation and travel costs needed to reach your overseas destination or return to the United Kingdom.
This can apply if, because of a natural disaster:
- Your booked public transport is cancelled.
- Your booked public transport is delayed for more than 12 hours.
- Your booked public transport is diverted or redirected after take-off.
- Other scheduled public transport fails.
- You are involuntarily denied boarding and no suitable alternative flight is provided within 12 hours.
The amount payable is calculated after deducting any ticket refund and any compensation from the public transport operator.
Extended accommodation
Extended accommodation can help if a natural disaster means you cannot use your booked accommodation.
It can apply to either:
- Irrecoverable unused accommodation costs and other prepaid charges; or
Reasonable additional accommodation and transport costs. - Additional accommodation and transport must be up to the standard of your original booking if you need to move to other accommodation during the trip.
- If you need to cut short your trip and return home, repatriation costs under this part need prior authorisation from the 24-hour emergency service.
What is not included
Natural disaster cover does not include:
- Anything listed in the General exclusions. General conditions also apply.
- The excess shown in the Summary of Cover.
- Airport Passenger Duty or other refundable taxes.
- Claims caused by an aircraft or sea vessel being withdrawn from service on the recommendation of the
- Civil Aviation Authority, Port Authority or a similar regulatory body.
- Claims caused by being unable to provide a valid passport, visa or other documents required by the transport operator or their handling agents.
- Normal day-to-day living costs, such as food and drink, that you would have expected to pay during your trip.
What evidence may be needed
For natural disaster disruption, you may need to provide evidence at your own expense.
This can include:
- Written confirmation from the transport operator or handling agent showing the delay length, denied boarding reason and any alternative transport offered.
- Written confirmation from the accommodation provider, local police or relevant authority that you could not use your accommodation and why.
- Proof that you sought compensation, assistance or a ticket refund from the transport operator.
- Written confirmation from the transport operator or accommodation provider that reimbursement will not be provided.
Before making a claim
Before making a natural disaster claim, check that the upgrade is shown on your policy schedule.
You should also:
- Keep written evidence from the transport operator or accommodation provider.
- Ask the transport operator for any refund, compensation or assistance available.
- Keep details of any alternative transport offered.
Get prior authorisation from the 24-hour emergency service if repatriation is needed under extended accommodation cover.