As Europe and the UK swelter in the hot summer, various countries have been hit by wildfires, sadly resulting in deaths. Countries affected have included popular destinations for Brits, including Spain, Turkey and France.
With no sign of a let-up in temperatures in the near future, those jetting off as the summer holidays get going may well be concerned about the potential impact on their much-anticipated breaks. Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at Defaqto, which rates financial products, has given some advice.
What are my rights if my holiday is disrupted by wildfires or other extreme weather?
Anna-Marie said: "If your airline cancels your flight due to wildfires, they should offer you the chance to rebook, or provide a full refund. If your holiday was booked as a package, this refund should cover all elements — flights, accommodation and transfers."
"But if you've booked everything separately, you'll need to deal with each provider independently. Your airline may refund your flight, but your accommodation provider may not if the property is unaffected. This is why it's essential to speak directly with providers in the first instance and check with your insurance provider regarding the cover they include."
Will climate change change the way travel insurance works in the future?
Anna-Marie said: "Climate change is a concern for all of us and events such as the current heat waves and wildfires cause us to question whether these higher temperatures and disruptions to holidays could become the norm in the future. This is no more so than for travel insurance companies, which are having to navigate these changing environments and adapt to potential new and increasing risks involved in travel as a result."
"While it’s difficult to know exactly how travel insurance may change over the next decade, in the longer term there is a chance that we may end up seeing less insurable destinations and increased premiums. What we do know, however, is that travel insurers are used to having to adapt to an ever-changing world."
Are travel insurers likely to change their policies because of extreme heat and global warming?
Anna-Marie said: “It is unlikely and we are yet to see any immediate changes to policies because of the current heatwave. It is unlikely insurance providers will change their policies in the near future to incorporate extreme heat."
"Current clauses may refer to 'severe' or 'extreme' weather, but the definitions for these can vary and currently no providers go as far as to specify criteria such as maximum temperatures."
"Where the heat causes events such as the current wildfires, this is a separate consideration and would be classed as a catastrophe or natural disaster. Cover for this will all depend on your insurer's definitions and extent of benefits."
What happens if government travel advice changes after I've booked my holiday?
Anna-Marie said: "If government advice changes, advising against travel to the area after you have booked your trip, then you may be covered for cancellation or curtailment."
"You may also be covered for additional travel and accommodation costs should your trip be disrupted due to a catastrophic event, if your insurer offers this cover or you've paid to include it."
