Volcano in Iceland: Travel insurance aids travelers stranded by airline groundings
A giant cloud of ash ejected by an Icelandic volcano is wreaking havoc on international flights around the world and throwing hundreds of thousands of travelers into a state of stranded chaos. For many though, travel insurance has eased the pain of cancelled flights, delayed travel, and trips interrupted.
“The good news is that travelers who purchased insurance on or before April 13th when this situation first became a public phenomenon, have important coverage benefits available to them,” explains Jim Grace President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com. “Despite the bizarre nature of this event, travel insurance can and does provide very real protection for a situation that no one could have predicted.”
Trip Cancellation Package Policies, the most comprehensive type of travel insurance plans, offer the greatest benefits for travelers forced to cancel their trips prior to departure as well as those whose travels have been significantly interrupted by this event. Additionally, these policies include coverage for the travel delays that are heavily impacting travelers everywhere and provide reimbursement for hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation needs due to cancelled flights caused by the volcanic event. “Coverage varies by company and plan however,” adds Grace, “so for best results, know the details of your policy and/or call us for more information.”
“Though it’s not yet clear how long these issues will continue to impact travel, there are options for those with trips commencing in the near future as well.” Available from most insurance providers, “Cancel For Any Reason” is an optional benefit that empowers travelers to cancel trips for any reason of their choosing up to two days prior to departure. “Cancel For Any Reason” policies vary by company and not all provide coverage for this specific event; be sure to confirm this event is covered and purchase your plan within 15 days of your initial trip deposit.
If you have questions about travel insurance benefits and the international flight crisis visit www.insuremytrip.com.