We review Aviva and their Travel Insurance Upgrade covering Volcanic Ash

Aviva launched their volcanic ash insurance upgrade shortly after the Icelandic eruption in 2010. Actually the risk they have decided to cover is the closure of airspace or port, so this policy covers a lot more than just volcanic ash issues (such as terrorism, prevention of terrorism or a pandemic situation, including avian flu and other such outbreaks).

Apply for a Aviva Travel insurance quote here

The upgrade costs around £10 per person (no childrens discounts) on an annual policy, or £5 per person on a single trip policy. Its slightly cheaper to buy online. However for those with a larger family the maximum payable for two adults and children would be the price for two adults and two children - i.e. around £40 on an annual policy. Be aware that the policy will not cover you if you knew, at the time of buying the insurance or booking the trip (whichever is later), that you would be unable to travel. This rules out buying the policy after an airport has already been closed. At some point during an incident Aviva are likely to class it as a 'known event' in any event and then will not cover claims from policyholders who bought their policies after that point. Contact Aviva before buying a policy if in any doubt.

Aviva's Airspace Closure upgrade is being offered as Aviva believe that those on a package holiday may feel its unnecessary given the additional protection these holidays offer.

The policy also offers cover for trip abandonment costs

If you need to cancel your holiday 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.

However if on the day of your departure 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 can claim for abandonment of your trip.

Also 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

1. Deposits you have paid for your trip and cannot get back
2. 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
3. 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.

If you are unable to return home on your scheduled return date due to closure of airspace or airport/port are you covered?

Aviva have added a section of cover to policies 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, they will pay you a benefit of £100 per person for each 24 hour period that you are unable to return home. However 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, Aviva will pay up to £1,000 per person in respect of reasonable and necessary additional travel expenses that are incurred.

Finally Aviva also offer a Travel Disruption upgrade which covers a slight different set of risks that might impact on your trip such as strike action by a carrier or your accomodation being ruined by a storm before you arrive.

Apply for a Aviva Travel insurance quote here

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moneymaxim always recommend you take independent financial advice before acting on any article. Any views expressed are those of the editorial team at the time of going to press, and should not be considered as either recommendation or specific advice. Readers should be aware that no warranty is given that the details are correct and are recommended to read any policy documents carefully before entering into any contract.