moneysupermarket.com - Insurer reactions to air travel disruption

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at moneysupermarket.com said: "Although the volcanic dust cloud is an unprecedented incident in aviation history, the reaction from many travel insurers has been extremely disappointing. I have spoken to several main providers this morning and, over 24 hours into this incident, the majority still haven't developed a position on how they will handle any claims for cancelled and delayed flights and any other monetary losses as a result. I would have hoped insurers would have contingencies in place for such events, no matter how unexpected.

"Meanwhile, thousands of travellers are stuck in limbo, many of them requiring immediate help. Many will need to find alternative modes of travel or book hotels and they won't know if these additional costs are covered by their insurance, let alone if they can recover any costs from cancellations of arrangements already made. The industry really needs to get its act together and at least provide reassurance to travellers as to whether claims will be considered or not.  Our position is clear - this is exactly the type of event that customers buy insurance for and they should be able to claim for the cost of their lost holidays and costs that they occur.  Insurers must not use their small print to try and wriggle out of this one."