Following the travel disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland - please find below the information you need to advise any clients with a Travel Policy from Towergate Underwriting Travel.

If you need further assistance, please call Towergate Underwriting Travel on 01206 773540 (please do not call the claims handlers or medical assistance companies). Clients should direct all initial enquiries to you.

We hope you find this information helpful.

Click here to download the Travel Policy Wording

Information regarding travellers abroad
We are willing to extend cover free of charge, subject to customers returning on the earliest possible flight (subject to availability). This is a goodwill gesture as we recognise customers would have difficulty obtaining insurance elsewhere at short notice and in their current location. No claims will be accepted for additional accommodation or transport costs as a result of the volcanic eruption. Customers are advised to contact their sales agent. We acknowledge, however, that some customers may not be aware of the need to do so and these customers will not be penalised, providing they have returned on the earliest possible flight.

Information regarding customers with rearranged travel plans
It has been widely reported that carriers are offering alternative travel plans for their customers. We will accept the transfer of cover to the new dates of travel providing that the alternative arrangement is made within three weeks from 16th April 2010, with travel dates being within the next six months and the new trip duration being the same as the original.

Customers will need to contact their sales agent to make the amendments to cover or to note their systems accordingly.

Repatriation of patients mid-claim
We acknowledge that due to the disruption, the repatriation of customers who have suffered a medical emergency may be delayed and subject to increased medical related costs. These increased costs will be accepted under the policy cover, subject to repatriation at the earliest opportunity and also to the usual terms and conditions of the policy.

Cancellation cover
Claims would only be considered under this section if all the avenues of reimbursement have been exhausted first (i.e. Airlines, tour operators, credit card company, travel agents etc)

Travel Delay & Abandonment
This section of cover provides specific exclusions, one being any claims arising from the delay of travel arrangements by or on the order of any Government, public or local Authority but not limited to any civil or federal aviation authority. For this reason, the policy cannot respond as the authorities have grounded/delayed flights.

Whilst the above overriding exclusion applies, it is also worth noting that a volcanic eruption is not a weather event and, whilst most policies provide cover for adverse weather, this does not apply in these circumstances.