With the freezing weather crippling transport networks and affecting hundreds of holidaymakers in much of the UK, here is the latest advice from Direct Travel Insurance, if you are due to travel soon:
1. Is it wise to leave your home?
If severe weather in the UK stops you from making it to your departure point, don't take unnecessary risks to get there.
Direct Travel Insurance will pay for unused accommodation, transport charges etc and other pre-paid charges before your journey begins (up to £6,000 per person depending on your level of cover). See Cancellation or curtailment – Section 1 of your policy wording.
2. You've made it to the airport. It's chaos. What do you do?
Check-in as soon as you can. You may not be covered if you do not prove you have checked-in. See Delayed departure or abandonment – Section 8 of your policy wording.
3. There's a very long delay and you decide to go home. Are you covered?
As you have been waiting for hours to get on your flight, you and your family decide to abandon your holiday. Direct Travel Insurance will pay for unused accommodation, transport charges etc and other pre-paid charges if you have been delayed for more than 12 hours (up to £6,000 per person, depending on your level of cover). See Delayed departure or abandonment – Section 8 of your policy wording.
4. There's a very long delay but you decide to wait. Are you covered?
Bear in mind that your travel insurance policy will only pay benefits if you have been delayed for a period of time. Direct Travel Insurance will pay between £20 and £35 per person if you have suffered a 12 hour delay from the scheduled departure time. See Delayed departure or abandonment – Section 8 of your policy wording. However, for shorter delays, your airline may offer you meals and refreshments in relation to waiting time, two free telephone calls, emails, and hotel accommodation. If your flight has been cancelled, EU regulations require the airline offers you either a full refund, or the soonest available flight. For full details see the Air Transport Users Council Website http://www.auc.org.uk.
For an update on the weather visit http://www.metoffice.gov.uk. For the latest on traffic and driving conditions visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/ or http://www.keepmoving.co.uk.
(Last updated: 5 January 2010)
