Recent wildfires in France and Spain have caused extensive damage this week.
Over 300,000 individuals have been evacuated from their residences in Gironde and Landes in France’s south-west, as well as in Madrid and Ávila in Spain.
If you have a summer holiday scheduled, what are your options if you are concerned about safety and wish to cancel?
Rhys Jones, a travel insurance expert at Go.Compare, advises against self-cancelling your trip if you have not departed yet.
Canceling on your own initiative may result in losing the money you have already paid without the possibility of reimbursement.
Instead, monitor the official guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in case they issue a travel advisory warning.
If the FCDO advises against travel, your holiday provider or travel insurer might be able to assist you based on your booking method and policy coverage.
Presently, travelers are urged to heed local authorities’ advice and verify with their accommodations or travel providers before commencing their journey.
If you have booked a package holiday and the FCDO advises against travel, you are entitled to a refund.
However, for independently booked flights and accommodations, a refund is not guaranteed if your flight is operational and your lodging is unaffected.
Check if your travel insurance includes cancellation or catastrophe coverage that could aid in covering costs not recoverable elsewhere, suggests Mr. Jones.
If you are already on vacation and wildfire alerts are issued, prioritize your safety.
Adhere to the directives of local authorities, emergency services, your lodging, and your travel provider.
Once out of harm’s way, contact your travel insurer’s emergency assistance line provided in your policy documents for guidance on available support and required evidence.
Retain receipts for additional expenses incurred due to disruptions, such as alternative lodgings, transport, essential replacements, or extra travel.
Keep records of evacuation notices, local authority updates, flight disruptions, and communications with your accommodation, airline, or tour operator if possible.
Opt for Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for convenient access to your preferred news topics.
At Reach and its affiliates, cookies and device identifiers are used to enhance site experience, analyze usage patterns, and provide personalized ads. You can opt out of data sharing by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies and consent to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
