A natural disaster can have a big impact on your trip. It could change your travel plans, affect your accommodation or make it unsafe for you to continue your holiday.
If you’re worried about travelling or what could happen if a natural disaster happens while you’re away, we’re here to help. Read on to find out what your travel insurance covers and the steps you can take to stay safe.
How travel insurers define a natural disaster
We call natural disasters ‘catastrophes’ in our policy wording.
Many insurers define natural disasters as events that:
- were completely unexpected
- happened naturally
- couldn't have been prevented
Examples include:
- fires
- storms and lightning
- hurricanes
- earthquakes
- volcanic activity, including ash cloud
- floods, tidal waves and tsunamis
- avalanches and landslides
- medical epidemics or pandemics
Does travel insurance cover natural disasters?
It depends on the level of cover you choose.
Our basic level of travel insurance doesn’t cover catastrophes.
But our Gold and Platinum cover both include cover for costs caused by delays or disruption because of a natural disaster.
Our travel insurance also includes natural disaster cover for:
- emergency medical care
- missed, alternative or extra accommodation
- repairing or replacing lost or damaged personal possessions
- replacing lost or stolen medication
- returning home later or earlier than planned
- transport delays of over 12 hours
We'll cover trip cancellation if:
- the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) changes its advice to not travel to your destination after you book or buy your travel insurance
- a natural disaster before or during travel means you can’t reach your booked accommodation, or
- you have to leave your accommodation and move somewhere safer nearby
Don't forget that there are limits and exclusions here, so check your policy documents in the travel portal to see what they are.
What's not covered with natural disasters?
There are a few things you might not be covered for when a natural disaster happens.
Predicted disasters
We don’t cover natural disasters that were expected when you booked your trip.
For example, let's say weather officials forecast a volcanic eruption before you book your holiday or buy your insurance. If you decide to travel anyway, you wouldn’t be covered for anything related to this catastrophe.
If you booked your trip before a natural disaster was forecast, you might be able to cancel your trip and make a claim. This depends on what cover you have.
Travelling against official advice
We won’t cover you if the local or national authorities have said it’s not safe to travel to or stay at your destination, but you go anyway.
Head to the FCDO website before your trip to make sure it's still safe to travel to your destination. If the FCDO says it's unsafe to go unless it's essential travel, you should stay at home.
Recoverable costs
If your trip is disrupted or cancelled because of a natural disaster, check whether you can get a refund from your travel or accommodation provider first.
For example, if your accommodation provider can refund you, you should contact them before making a claim on your insurance.
If your accommodation provider doesn't offer a refund, you might be able to claim on your travel insurance – depending on your policy terms and conditions.
Buying cover too late
We can't help with a claim if you buy your insurance:
- after getting through airport customs on your trip
- after a natural disaster’s been reported in the media but before your trip begins
How do I know it’s safe to travel?
For the latest travel advice, check:
- the FCDO website
- your destination's local news sites
- the advice of your destination's authorities
You can also sign up for email alerts to stay informed about any changes.
Our travel insurance won’t cover any trips to places that the FCDO has advised against travel.
If your flight is cancelled because of a natural disaster, your airline should contact you and let you know your options.
What to do if a natural disaster takes place
If a natural disaster happens during your trip, follow these steps to help keep yourself and loved ones safe.
Get to safety
Your safety should always come first. Move yourself and anyone travelling with you to a safe place as soon as possible.
Check in with the local authorities and follow their advice and instructions.
You can also get in touch with the British Embassy for help and guidance if you need support.
Call your insurer's emergency line
If you can't get in touch with the authorities, call your insurer's emergency helpline. They might be able to give you advice and support while you try to access emergency services.
If you're insured with us and need urgent help, call us on (0)292 010 7777. We can help you find the right emergency numbers, give you evacuation advice and direct you to medical care if needed.
Let your loved ones know you're safe
Once you get to a safe location, call your loved ones back at home if you can and let them know you’re safe.
Call your accommodation provider
Get in touch with your accommodation provider to see if they’ll offer compensation, a refund or an alternative place to stay.
Our Gold and Platinum travel insurance covers costs if you’re forced to cut your trip short because of a natural disaster. We can cover some of the costs up to your policy limits.
We'll also cover the cost of alternative accommodation if you couldn’t get to your destination because of a natural disaster, up to your policy limits.
To find out about your policy limits and exclusions, check your policy book.
What to do if a natural disaster disrupts your transport
If your flight or other transport out of the area has been cancelled, speak to the providers directly to see what alternative arrangements or refunds they can offer.
If your flight is delayed, your airline must offer things like food and drink while you wait for a replacement flight. What they can provide will depend on the length of the delay and your journey.
Flight distance |
Delay time |
|
Less than 1,500km |
2 hours |
|
Between 1,500 and 3,500km |
3 hours |
|
More than 3,500km |
4 hours |
If you’re travelling to or from a UK airport, they have to provide you with accommodation if you’re delayed overnight.
If your airline or an alternative airline can't fly you home, there might be flights organised by the UK government to help you get home safely. This is called repatriation.
Go to the FCDO or British Embassy website to find out more about this.
If you've got travel insurance with us, we'll extend your cover if you’re stuck abroad because of a natural disaster that you didn’t expect to happen.
