Volcanic Ash cloud hits UK

Volcanic cloud hits UK – Holidaysafe clients

The volcanic eruption in Iceland has stopped air traffic across the UK and
Europe. The 3.7-mile flume of ash as made air travel impossible.
Scandinavia, UK and Ireland were the first airports to stop all flights. Closely
followed by Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Further disruption was
caused with planes at a stand still from as far as Hong Kong, Dubai and the
United States destined for Europe.
Many passengers have been stranded around the world with little or no
information about when they will be flying.
It seems that Airlines are having difficulty advising when flights will
recommence, as this will be entirely due to the prevailing wind at high altitude
that is bringing the volcanic ash over the UK. Currently the wind is blowing to
the southeast but, if it changes direction, there could be a resumption of flights
after a period of time. As this will be an ongoing situation until the volcano
stops erupting the situation could change at fairly short notice either way.

General advice:

Please check with the airline for flight information before travelling to
the airport.

We are extending the medical section of the policy free of charge for
those people that are stuck abroad as a result of the situation, up until
their first opportunity to return. This only applies to our clients that had
a valid insurance policy covering them for the full duration of the
originally planned trip.

If you have booked a package holiday you should contact your tour
operator or travel agent as soon as possible to find out what alternative
arrangements have been made or are available. Many are likely to be
helpful in rearranging your trip for a later date.

Holidaysafe will change the insurance dates free of
charge for anyone who moves the dates of his or her trip due to this
situation.

If the policyholder accepts an alternative flight at a later date,
Holidaysafe will amend their existing policy so it is transferred
to cover the new dates free of charge.

To qualify for a travel delay claim under your travel insurance you must:

Be travelling outside the United Kingdom

Have your luggage checked in at the airport. Online check in will not be
acceptable unless the airline has accepted your luggage at the airport.
Regrettably, if your luggage cannot be checked in and your flight is not
delayed but has been cancelled - you should obtain a full refund from the
airline and rebook your trip at a later date.

The cancellation cover under travel insurance policies only provides cover if
you are unable to travel due to your death, injury or illness. It does not provide
any cover for natural disasters.
However, you have a number of basic rights which may mean that the tour
operator, travel agent or airline might be responsible for some or all of your
costs. This is explained further here