The wildfires in Rhodes have already engulfed nearly a tenth of the Greek island in flames. And also in other parts of Greece, high temperatures in combination with strong winds cause forest fires. The Dutch Association receives many questions about the fires in relation to travel and cancellation insurance. That is why we answer frequently asked insurance questions.
What can I do if there are forest fires on or near my holiday destination and I am unsure whether or not to leave?
Usually, extreme weather such as heat, flood or heavy precipitation is not a valid reason to cancel your trip. But that can differ per insurer and also depends on the policy conditions that apply to your travel or cancellation insurance. The coverage on a cancellation insurance is usually about the impact on your own situation such as illness, dismissal or the death of a family member. And not about the situation in the country of destination. So it is important to contact your insurer before you make a decision about this.
What can I do in case of forest fires, floods or other extreme weather if I haven't left yet and I want to change or cancel my trip?
Have you booked with a travel company? To change or cancel your trip, please contact the travel organization. Perhaps the trip can be postponed or rebooked. It is also possible that the cancellation insurance contains conditions on the basis of which you can cancel and for which compensation is made. It is therefore important to take a good look at the policy conditions. And if in doubt, contact your insurer or insurance advisor.
I am on holiday and the Calamity Fund has identified a calamity, such as a forest fire, for my destination. What should I do?
On 23 July, the Calamity Fund classified the forest fires in the South-East Rhodes region as calamity. If your travel organization is affiliated with this emergency fund and has to adjust your trip, the necessary additional costs will usually be reimbursed. Does your trip have to be cut short and do you go back home earlier as a result? Then you will usually receive a part of your travel sum back through the travel organization. For questions about your booked trip, the calamity and reimbursements, please contact your travel organization. Reimbursements may vary by travel company. If you have not booked through a travel company, you can see in your policy conditions of your travel insurance whether you are entitled to compensation.
"Reimbursements may vary by travel company"
What should I do if I urgently need help abroad?
Are you travelling through a travel company? Please contact that organization for help and advice. The staff of the travel company can help you and see if you can continue your holiday elsewhere or if it is better to go home. Have you booked a trip independently without a travel company? Then contact your travel or cancellation insurer directly. These insurers have an emergency centre, helpline or emergency number. The employees of these centres can then help and advise you further.
I'm not sure yet if my journey will continue. Can I cancel my trip?
You always have the right to cancel your trip. But if you cancel your trip yourself for a reason for which there is no coverage, you are obliged to pay the travel sum that you owe at that time. You will then not receive a refund and if you already owe a residual travel sum, you will also remain obliged to pay it. Usually there is no coverage on the cancellation insurance if you cancel yourself because you prefer not to make the trip anymore.
"If you cancel your trip yourself for a reason for which there is no coverage, you are obliged to pay the travel sum you owe at that time"
The tour company indicates that my trip will continue as usual. Still, I'd rather not make the trip. Can I cancel my trip?
If the travel organization can carry out the trip, the organization has fulfilled its delivery obligation. You can of course cancel yourself, but you are then obliged to comply with the contractual obligations. The costs remain at your own expense. Usually there is no coverage on the cancellation insurance if you cancel yourself, because you prefer not to make the trip anymore.
How can I prepare for my trip?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a travel advice for each country. In that advice you will find up-to-date information about, for example, safety and health risks. If the situation in a country changes that hinders your travel, such as the forest fires in Rhodes, the ministry also provides up-to-date information on safety. So check the travel advice of the government before departure and check your travel and / or cancellation insurance and the policy conditions. This way you know what you are or are not insured for.
Finally: also put the telephone number of the emergency center or helpline in your phone before departure. Or write it on a note. That saves a lot of hassle if you need help during the trip.
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