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Holidaymakers may be forgiven for getting confused about whether they can claim on their travel-insurance because of the disruption caused by the recent volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. It is also unclear as to whether policies would cover them if a similar event were to happen again.
Some insurers have been reluctant to cover claims in some cases as they have been deemed an ‘act of God’. A spokesperson for the Irish Brokers’ Association said, “Insurers are currently referring to this situation as an act of God, and not adverse weather. Therefore, there is a strong likelihood that many consumers will not be covered.”
Brokers have also revealed that many policies will not cover the grounding of aircraft by the civil aviation authorities, meaning that bookings for things like accommodation and car rental will also not be protected.
However, the Irish Brokers’ Association said that as a gesture of good will, some insurers have decided to regard the episode as adverse weather and ‘pay reasonable claims where every effort has been made by the insured to minimise the loss and where their outlay cannot be recovered from any other source such as airlines and hotels.’
If nothing else, the recent air travel chaos has highlighted the need for travellers to check their policies terms and conditions, or contact their insurance company, particularly before trips begin, if they are unsure about the cover because terms and conditions can vary significantly from provider to provider.
The Professional Insurance Brokers’ Association (PIBA), which represents insurance brokers, revealed they were sympathetic to customers over the confusion of what their travel insurance covers following the volcanic ash disruption. A PIBA spokesperson said, “We would call for clarity within the industry in relation to certain vague definitions or exclusions such as an ‘act of God’. It is vital to ensure peace of mind and so that people know exactly what they are covered for in a transparent manner.”
However, those that represent insurance companies, the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF), dismissed claims about the ‘act of God’ exclusions. An IIF spokesperson said, “The act of God argument is a red herring. The disruption was caused by a volcanic eruption. If the cause is not specified there is generally no cover, and a volcanic eruption is not generally specified. That said, policy wordings vary and it is worth checking your policy or contacting your travel insurance company for clarification.”
Travel
Insurance when Travelling by Ship and Ferry
From Ireland many tens of thousands of people make the journey to
Britain or France by Ferry each day. This is a relatively
cheap way of getting a family and car from Ireland to a holiday
destination in one of the European countries. From a travel
insurance point of view, it brings a whole new set of factors to be
looked into. Is your car insurance going to cover you if you
have an accident overseas? What happens if your car is damaged
while on board the ferry? Who pays you? The Ferry
company or the Car owner who hit you? Are you covered if your
car is the cause? The goods in your car also need to be
covered. Very often while travelling with the car we take all
our mobile valuables with us. Cameras, Laptops, iPads,
clothes, etc., etc. can amount to a lot of money and it is vital
that you have adequate travel insurance.
Breakdown while in another country can be a huge headache.
Does your car insurance include vehicle recovery? How about
roadside assistance? Can you get another car and
continue your holiday while your own car is in the garage being
repaired? Will you be able to get back to Ireland with the
replacement car? Ask lots of questions when taking out
insurance. Remember also that 'All Claims' policies usually
have exclusions, so it is worthwhile reading the small print in any
insurance document.
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