Southern Europe’s Seismic Summer: Travel Insurance Under Scrutiny
As tremors and eruptions rattle popular Mediterranean destinations, travelers are reconsidering their summer holidays. With earthquakes affecting areas like Crete and Santorini, understanding travel insurance coverage for natural disasters is more crucial than ever.
Insurance Policies and Natural Disasters
Standard travel insurance typically excludes natural disasters. According to Ernesto Suarez, founder of Gigasure, most policies don’t cover earthquakes and other events beyond individual control. However, add-ons can offer protection if your trip is impacted by a natural disaster.
Simon McCulloch, commercial director at Staysure, highlights that their policies address trip disruptions from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, provided the trip is directly affected and non-refundable. These may cover accommodation, transportation, and other expenses.
What if Disaster Strikes During Your Trip?
If an earthquake occurs during your trip, prioritize safety and follow local guidance. McCulloch suggests contacting your airline or travel provider for assistance with early returns or alternate accommodation. Additional protection may cover unused portions of your trip or extra expenses related to delays.
Suarez states their priority is supporting customers in affected areas, possibly extending policy durations for up to 30 days. However, cancelling a trip due to a predicted earthquake may not be covered. McCulloch advises monitoring updates from authorities like the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before canceling.
In 2024, the European Union experienced 138 natural disasters, costing approximately €50 billion in damages, highlighting the increased frequency of these events (European Commission 2024).
Making Informed Decisions
Travelers are understandably concerned about potential seismic activity. The best approach involves staying informed, reviewing insurance policies, and consulting with insurers. This will help you understand your coverage, should the worst happen, according to McCulloch.