Aviva travel insurance – travel disruption caused by volcanic ash

Due to the recent chaos caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash, Aviva would like to ensure that our customers are treated as they would expect to be by the UK’s largest insurer.

What are we doing?

From the 1st June 2010, Aviva travel insurance customers can purchase an extension of cover to provide peace of mind in any future event causing a closure of airspace, airports or ports. This optional upgrade is £10 per person on an annual policy and £5 per person on a single trip policy.

How can I purchase this additional cover?

You can purchase airspace extension cover now by completing our online quote form and selecting Closure of airspace cover. Alternatively you can call our dedicated free phone line on 0800 051 3606.

About the cover

Why am I having to purchase extra cover for this? Why isn't it covered as standard?

The events covered by this extension are not covered by a standard travel policy and not all travellers will require cover of this nature. Customers who have booked a package holiday will have some protection from the tour operator or travel agent and some will have protection having used their credit card to pay for their flights and/or accommodation. For this reason, we are giving you a choice of whether or not you need the cover on your travel insurance.

Can I upgrade my existing policy at any time?

No. The option to add this cover is only available at your renewal for an existing policy or when applying for a new policy.

Does the purchase of this upgrade for insured adults cover my children named on the policy for free?

No. The upgrade is for each person named on the policy. However, the most you will pay is limited to the adult travellers and 2 children with no charge for any additional children.

What cover do I have for cancellation charges?

In the first instance you should always contact the provider to seek a refund of your costs or rearrangement of your booking – this means the tour operator/travel agent, airline, accommodation provider and car hire company, as well as any other pre-paid costs such as excursions.

This cover insures you for two things that might happen on the day you are due to depart on your trip.

Firstly, if you are unable to depart due to airspace being closed and it remains closed for more than 24 hours from the time shown on your travel ticket, you will be able to claim for cancellation of your trip.

Secondly, if any airport or port that you are due to travel from or through is closed for more than 24 hours from the time stated on your travel ticket, you will be able to claim for cancellation of your trip.

In either of these cases, you’ll be able to claim for:

Deposits you have paid for your trip and cannot get back
Your unused travel and accommodation costs(including excursions up to a maximum of £250 for each insured person), which you have paid or legally have to pay and cannot get back
Unused kennel, cattery or professional pet sitter fees, which you have paid or legally have to pay and cannot get back up to a maximum of £200 for each insured person

We will only pay those costs you can’t recover from the accommodation or travel provider and will need evidence that you have been unable to claim a refund.

What happens if I am unable to return home on my scheduled return date due to closure of airspace or airport/port?

We have added a section of cover to your policy called Enforced Stay Abroad.

If you are unable to return home on your scheduled return date due to the closure of airspace or an airport/port you are scheduled to travel from or through, we will pay you a benefit of £100 per person for each 24 hour period that you are unable to return home.

If you need to make your own way home after a 24 hour delay and the carrier or handling agent has been unable to offer you suitable alternative travel arrangements, we will pay you up to £1,000 per person in respect of reasonable and necessary additional travel expenses that you incur.

Read more about our airspace closure extension cover.