Volcanic Ash FAQ's

Definitely!

A geophysicist in Iceland, Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, says it's not possible to say with any certainty at all that the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland won't erupt again. There are continuing tremors and seismic activity, which indicate that another eruption could well take place.

Even more worrying is the smaller volcano's larger neighbour - the Katla volcano. And when we mean larger - five times bigger!

Many people's travel insurance claims that were related to the volcanic ash were declined because their travel insurer was not covering such claims. They said the situation was not 'adverse weather conditions', which is one of the criteria to be met before travel insurance claims for delay and trip abandonment claims will be considered. Many travel insurers are arguing that the wind on which the ash is being carried is not, in itself, adverse. A gale force wind, which, if causing air traffic delay, would therefore meet this criterion.

Providing you take out the policy at the right time (see below) you will be able to make a travel insurance claim for Trip Delay or Cancellation on your Oojah Travel Protection policy.Please note that you will not be able to make a travel insurance claim if you took out the travel insurance after an announcement had been made that the airport you were travelling to or from was being closed or that the airspace in which you were due to fly was having a ban placed on it.

If the current Iceland Volcano situation subsides and commercial airlines resume normal schedules prior to your trip, any new eruption would be considered a new event.

If you're delayed in South Africa for longer than 12 hours, you can choose to abandon your trip. You will then be able to claim for your irrecoverable expenses. You will be able to claim to the limit covered by the Cancellation section, depending on the level of cover you choose.

Written proof of the delay must be obtained from the transport provider/carrier, and original receipts of items purchased. All claims must be submitted to our claims department.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled but you are not at the airport: your airline is technically in breach of contract if they cancel your flight. They have to offer you a refund or an alternative flight. If you have accommodation booked, try to get a refund or new dates with them. If you have booked through a package holiday company, they will usually meet a claim for accommodation costs.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled and you are at the airport: If you airline is an EU airline, they are bound by EU law to offer you a refund or alternative flight. They are also bound by a duty of care to provide you with food and accommodation. You will be able to make a claim for travel delay for each block of 24 hours' delay.

Yes, travel dates can be amended prior to departure. You must contact us so that we can apply an endorsement to your policy. Please note that if the duration of the trip is longer than your original dates then your premium might be affected.

Yes, your policy can be extended. An additional premium will be required and we endorse your policy for the extra days of cover.

The first call you should make is to your air carrier as all airlines have made rebooking passengers impacted by this event a priority. That said, please contact us for additional assistance, both for flight rebooking and to initiate a travel insurance claim if applicable.