What to do if there's a natural disaster while you're travelling

Natural disasters can wreak havoc on even the best-planned holidays. Fortunately, the right travel insurance policy can offer you a helping hand.

What travel insurance do you need for natural disasters and extreme weather? And what type of cover can you get with it? If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place. Read on for everything you need to know.

What's considered a natural disaster by travel insurers?

Travel insurers see a natural disaster as an unavoidable event. You might also see travel insurance providers refer to it as an 'Act of God'.

But, what counts as a natural disaster? Well, the majority of insurers have specific criteria. Generally, a recognised natural disaster needs to be:

• Outside human control.
• Unable to be realistically prevented.
• Caused directly by natural causes.

A recent example of a natural disaster is the wildfires that impacted parts of California and Europe in 2023. Greece was particularly affected, with travel disruptions and emergency evacuations.

Keep in mind, what’s considered a natural disaster can vary from insurer to insurer. So, it’s a good idea to make sure you read the small print of your policy to know exactly what you have cover for.

Travel insurance for natural disasters usually include:

• Flooding.
• Wildfires.
• Volcanic eruptions.
• Avalanches.
• Medical pandemic or epidemic.

Helpful hint: Remember that natural disasters are different from extreme weather. An example of a natural disaster is a hurricane, and an example of extreme weather is flooding. Read the wording of your policy carefully to prevent confusion.

Will my travel insurance cover natural disasters?

Yes, some travel insurance policies can cover natural disasters. Phew!

But there may be some limitations with standard travel insurance policies. Generally, standard travel insurance covers:

• Emergency medical treatment.
• Cancellation cover.
• Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.
• Curtailment.

That said, whether you’ll have cover for natural disasters depends on two things:

• The insurance provider.
• The type of policy you choose.

Depending on the insurer, some policies can offer a greater level of cover than others. So, it’s a good idea to read your policy terms carefully. That way, you'll know if you have natural disaster travel insurance included.

If you don't have it as standard and you want it, you'll need enhanced cover. This brings us to our next section.

Helpful hint: Insurers don’t cover known events - even if your policy covers natural disasters. So, if something has already happened or is forecasted to happen, you might not be able to get cover for it.

How do I get travel insurance with natural disaster cover?

The easiest way to get travel insurance is by comparing quotes and policies.

Some policies can include coverage for natural disasters as standard. But this usually isn't the case. For the most part, you'll need to get a natural disaster add-on for a fee. Or you can contact the insurer directly to see if they can provide it.

If you have an annual policy, you might be able to have natural disaster cover added to your existing policy. Just give your insurer a call to ask about adding it - though it'll likely be for an extra price. If that's not an option, you can always get a new single-trip policy to cover your specific trip.

What isn't covered?

Common exclusions for natural disasters and extreme weather can include:

• Forecasted weather disruptions. If extreme weather causes disruption to your travel plans, it has already been forecast.
• Travelling against FCDO advice. If the FCDO advises against travel to a certain location, but you go anyway. In some instances, you might be able to get specialist cover.
• Not contacting the tour operator or airline first. If you don’t contact the tour operator or airline for a refund first, your insurer might not accept your claim.

What should I do if a natural disaster disrupts my travel arrangements?

If possible, try to travel home as soon as you can or stay at your accommodation until it's safe to leave.

If you can't do these things, don’t worry. Here's what you can do:

• If you’re unable to travel home: Contact your travel provider or airline to see if they can help. They might be able to arrange alternative travel plans.
• If you’re unable to stay at the accommodation you booked: Reach out to your hotel directly to see if they can offer an alternative accommodation. If they can't, your holiday operator might be able to help find an alternative place to stay.

Remember, providers only cover cancellations to destinations the FCDO has advised avoiding. So, if you decide not to go because you've changed your mind, any claims you make likely won't be accepted.

Additionally, sometimes flights are cancelled due to 'extraordinary circumstances'. Natural disasters fall under this category, and they aren't always covered by insurers. So, it's worth checking with your provider to see if they offer cover in this situation.

Can I extend my travel insurance cover if a natural disaster means my trip is rearranged?

The answer to this depends on your insurer.

If you want to extend your travel insurance, you should contact your provider to see what they can do. If the FCDO has advised against travel to your destination, there’s a lower chance you'll be able to extend it. This is because providers usually avoid covering high-risk destinations.

There's also a chance your insurance policy could be more expensive to cover your new dates. Destinations that have had a recent natural disaster can be considered as high-risk for insurers. In turn, this can increase the price of a policy.

Keep in mind extending only applies to single-trip policies, not annual. If you have an annual policy, your insurance should still be valid if it's within the 12-month timeframe. But, if you're unsure, you can always contact your provider for help.

What should I do if I'm being evacuated?

If you're evacuated, it's important to follow the guidelines of local law enforcement. In some instances, your holiday provider or tour operator might also be able to offer help.

The FCDO also has a helpline for British travellers: 020 7008 5000. You can use it to phone for assistance in the event of an emergency.

The British embassy in your location may also be able to offer you some assistance. Before you go on your trip, make sure you know where it's located and have the contact number handy. You can use the GOV website's directory to find an embassy or consulate.

How do I find out if it's safe to travel?

The best way to find out if it's safe to travel to your chosen destination is to check the FCDO's travel advice page.

What's the difference between natural disaster and high-risk travel insurance?

Natural disaster insurance is usually offered as a policy add-on to standard travel insurance. But, high-risk travel insurance is a type of specialist insurance designed for high-risk destinations.

This can include things like war zones or disaster relief zones. A current example is the ongoing crisis in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories.

What it covers:

High-risk travel insurance can cover:

• Legal expenses. You’ll usually be covered for legal expenses up to a set amount. This can vary from policy to policy, so read the terms and conditions.
• Counselling. If you need counselling due to a traumatic event, like unfair detention.
• Additional accommodation, food and travel. If you have an emergency and need accommodation, food or alternative travel arrangements. For example, if your flight is suddenly cancelled without warning.
• Emergency medical help. If you need medical treatment while you’re away due to illness or injury.
• Evacuation. This can cover medical evacuations and repatriation. It can also include refuge for events like natural disasters.
• Visitor to your bedside. If you’re unwell and unable to come home, a relative or loved one can be flown to you.

Why would someone travel to high-risk destinations?

The most common reasons someone would travel to a high-risk destination are usually for journalism or aid work.

How to get a quote:

To get a quote, you’ll likely need to find a specialist insurer elsewhere. But you might be able to get a quote through us, as there may be providers willing to cover your intended destination.

Keep in mind that travel insurance for high-risk destinations can cost more. This is because with increased risk, comes a higher likelihood of needing to make a claim.