Nervous about earthquakes? What to find out about cancelling holidays, in response to insurance experts

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Southern Europe is rumbling again. Popular holiday destinations across the Mediterranean, including Crete, Santorini, Sicily and Turkey, have all been affected by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions within the last month.

While the possibilities of being caught in a natural disaster still remain low, a recent spike in seismic activity has left many travellers questioning whether or not they should go ahead with their holiday or cancel.

The reply, experts say, depends upon the superb print.

Here’s what to know before you book – or cancel – your summer holiday.

Are natural disasters covered by standard travel insurance?

In brief: not normally.

Most elementary travel insurance policies don’t include coverage for natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods or wildfires.

“Travellers must remember that the majority travel insurance policies won’t cover earthquakes as standard, or another natural disaster outside of anyone’s control,” says Ernesto Suarez, founding father of insurance provider Gigasure.

“While AI and data analytics are helping insurers measure the danger of those events happening more accurately, anything outside of a person’s control may be very difficult to underwrite.”

But you won’t necessarily must eat the prices. Many insurers offer add-ons that may provide protection in case your holiday is disrupted or cancelled by a natural disaster.

“We have now a spread of various policies that cover unexpected events that stop you going away, disrupt your holiday or force you to chop short your trip as a consequence of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and wildfires,” says Simon McCulloch, business director at Staysure.

“It’s necessary to grasp that this typically applies when your trip is directly affected and in case your holiday is non-refundable,” he adds.

Suarez says Gigasure’s add-on includes coverage for added accommodation, transport costs, pet sitter fees and a every day allowance for as much as 10 extra days abroad.

What if an earthquake strikes when you’re abroad?

If an earthquake or eruption disrupts your trip when you’re overseas, help could also be available, especially in case you’ve purchased prolonged coverage. But McCulloch advises keeping your priorities so as before worrying about reimbursement.

“In cases where you’re already abroad and a natural disaster strikes in your location, a very powerful thing is to get yourself to safety and follow the recommendation of local or national authorities,” he says.

Once protected, he recommends reaching out to the airline, tour operator or travel provider you booked your trip with to find out your next steps. “They may give you the chance to assist bring you home early or move you to protected accommodation,” he says.

Those with additional protection may give you the chance to assert for unused parts of their trip or extra costs as a consequence of delays.

“Our first priority is all the time to assist support our customers who’re currently within the affected area,” says Suarez. “For those who need it, we extend our policy duration for as much as 30 days or until they’ll return home safely.”

Can I cancel my trip out of caution?

For those who’re feeling uneasy a couple of destination but it surely stays open to tourists, your insurance is unlikely to assist.

“Earthquakes and other natural disasters can understandably make travellers nervous about trips they’ve booked and paid for, though whether you’ll be covered by your travel insurance depends upon the particular details of your policy and official guidance on the time of travel,” says McCulloch.

“Before any trip, it’s price maintaining a tally of updates from [national authorities such as] the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,” he explains, referencing the UK’s ministry of foreign affairs.

“If it hasn’t advised against travel (or all but essential travel) to a destination following a seismic event – as was the case recently in Crete – then cancelling your trip purely out of caution is unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.”

Suarez agrees. “If someone chooses to cancel their trip due to a recent earthquake, it’s unlikely that their travel insurance will cover them.”

Seismic activity shakes summer travel plans

Recent tremors in Turkey, the Greek islands and Italy have already caused concern amongst travellers. In Santorini, one in every of Greece’s most visited destinations, local tourism officials estimate that arrivals could fall by as much as 25 per cent this yr.

But many destinations shall be as protected as they all the time are. One of the best approach to forecasting your summer travel is to remain informed, say McCulloch and Suarez. 

Review your policy before travelling, speak to your insurer about what’s included and monitor official advisories. If the worst does occur, the fitting insurance could aid you get better your losses or get home safely.

“Natural disasters are unpredictable, but your insurance shouldn’t be – so long as you’re taking steps to ensure that you’re properly informed of the protection it provides,” McCulloch says.