The number of travel disruption claims due to air traffic being grounded by the volcanic dust cloud from Iceland has increased five-fold. On ordinary days, ERGO receives up to five travel insurance claims per day, but at present the number of reports has increased to around 20 per day. It is likely that the number of reports will grow further in the coming days.

According to Andres Konsap, Insurance Director of ERGO, it is the responsibility of airlines to refund or replace flight tickets, but travel disruption insurance will cover the costs that the airlines or travel agencies will not reimburse. “Our recommendation to all of our clients is to immediately get in touch with their travel agency or airline in order to book a replacement flight or get a refund on their ticket," Konsap explained. “The damages which the airline or travel agency will not cover are covered by their travel disruption insurance. Should air traffic in Europe be grounded for a longer period, we are prepared for a sharp increase in damage claims. However, we would like to point out that travel disruption insurance only covers the costs borne due to unexpected and unforeseen events. Right now we advise people to make changes to their travel plans to avoid any additional expenses not covered by insurance.”

The damages indemnified by travel disruption insurance include costs incurred in purchasing services which were not used during the trip, such as prepayments for accommodation, tickets for connecting flights, paid sightseeing tours, concert and theatre tickets etc. and other additional expenses related to flight changes.

Konsap says that significantly more people have started purchasing travel disruption insurance in recent years. “This increase is due to more frequent changes in flight schedules, which have made people pay more attention than before to the risk of travel disruption. This year, the proportion of damages caused by the changes in flight plans has amounted to more than 60% of all travel disruption cases.”

The travel disruption insurance offered by ERGO covers damages caused by unexpected and unforeseen events due to which those insured cannot go on their planned trip or are forced to interrupt it.


Anu Vahtra-Hellat
Head of Public Relations
tel +372 610 6610
anu.vahtra-hellat(at)ergo.ee