Do Travel Services Cover Against Volcanic Ash Cloud Disruption?

With reports that two Icelandic volcanoes are “primed to erupt”, holiday makers are being urged to check that their travel insurance policy will cover such an event.

According to a report in this week’s Sunday Times, providers including Columbus Direct, Virgin, Admiral and the AA exclude disruption caused by volcanic eruption.

Travel insurance from the ETA offers cover against cancellation and delay caused by volcanic eruption as long as the policy is bought before the ash cloud starts. In other words, cover bought now will offer protection for trips that may be affected by a volcanic eruption later this summer.

Easyjet, Airbus and Nicarnica Aviation have developed a device to enable pilots to avoid dangerous ash clouds of the kind that grounded over 100,000 aircraft in 2011 when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland erupted.

The grounding of the aircraft left ten million people stranded, some of whom found themselves out of pocket because their travel insurance excluded claims related to volcanic ash. Travel insurance that covers volcanic ash eruptions is available from the ETA

Volcanic ash travel disruption

The Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector (Avoid) uses infra-red cameras to detect the tiny particles of quartz in the air that can damage aircraft engines. According to the airline, if 100 aircraft were fitted with the Avoid system, enough data could be collected to pinpoint ask clouds when the next eruption takes place.

The volcano Katla may have a name easier to remember than its infamous neighbour, but it is considerably larger and, according to volcanologists, it is ready to erupt. The Avoid system is at least one year away from being operationally ready.

Best protection from volcanic ash

Travel insurance from the ETA covers your holiday against disruption caused by volcanic ash as long as the cover is taken out before an eruption starts. In other words, holiday makers travelling next year who would like to cover themselves against volcanic ash disruption would be well-advised to book their cover now.