As wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain, the ABI is urging holidaymakers to play close attention to local advice and updates from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and check their travel insurance policies. 

Wildfires across France and Spain have continued to cause significant disruption during the peak travel season, with mass-evacuations in affected areas. Insurers are ready to support their customers and as the fire continues to spread the ABI is sharing travel insurance advice for those in the area or with trips planned. 

If you are on holiday and have been evacuated from your accommodation:

• If you’re being forced to leave your accommodation, it’s vital you follow the advice of emergency services on the ground and any local health advice.  
• When safe to do so, check your travel insurance policy. If your policy includes trip disruption or natural disaster cover, you should be covered if you have to cut short or cancel your holiday.   
• Your travel insurance will apply in the usual way if you need emergency medical treatment. 
• If you have lost or had to abandon your possessions, these will likely be covered by standard travel insurance policies.  
• Policies can vary, so speak to your insurer if you’re not sure what is covered and they can advise on what support is available.  
• Refunds for cancelled flights or accommodation should be sought from the airline, tour operator or accommodation provider in the first instance. Any bookings made through a credit card may also have recoverable costs.  
• If you want to book another flight back to the UK or need alternative accommodation, speak to your insurer first to check what is covered and they can advise on next steps.  

If you have a trip planned to the region: 

• Follow the latest advice from the FCDO, especially as travelling against this is likely to invalidate your travel insurance.  
• If you’ve not yet set off for your holiday, contact your insurer before you decide to cancel flights or book any new accommodation. They can advise on what your policy covers. 

We recognise how stressful and worrying the wildfires will be for people currently in the affected areas, as well as those due to travel there in the coming days. Safety must be the priority, so it’s important to follow the advice of local authorities and emergency services.

 Insurers are ready to support their affected customers. If your travel plans are disrupted by a wildfire and your policy includes trip disruption cover then travel insurance may cover some of the resulting costs. It can also help if you become ill or are injured.

Where flights or accommodation are cancelled, you should seek refunds from their airline, tour operator or accommodation provider in the first instance.  

Cover can vary between providers, so if you’re not sure what’s included in your policy, speak to your insurer who will be able to advise on what support is available.

Chris Bose

Director of General Insurance Policy at the ABI