Does travel insurance cover wildfires? Expert shares advice you need to know

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Wildfires are becoming a bigger issue every year. Since 2003, their frequency and intensity have doubled, with 2017 being particularly bad. Climate change is a big factor here, as rising temperatures in forests make conditions ripe for fires.

Countries that usually enjoy hot weather are now facing dry spells due to heatwaves. This leads to summer droughts and a higher risk of wildfires. It’s a tough situation, especially for places that rely on tourism during the summer months.

If you’re planning a trip to areas known for wildfires, it’s smart to check if your travel insurance covers these events. Experts from Holiday Extras have some important insights on this topic.

So, are wildfires covered by travel insurance? According to Alice Lawson from Holiday Extras, it’s a bit tricky. If wildfires make it unsafe to travel, your provider should refund or rebook your trip. But if the fires are happening but it’s still safe to go, you might not be covered.

And if you decide not to travel just because of the risk of a fire, don’t expect insurance to reimburse you. If fires break out while you’re there, it’s usually up to your travel provider to get you out, not your insurance.

To make sure you have the right travel insurance, it’s all about finding a policy that fits your needs. Holiday Extras has even created an AI tool called SYD to help you understand what coverage you need in simple terms.

Not having travel insurance can be risky. While most trips go smoothly, if something does go wrong, it can get expensive fast. Medical bills or repatriation costs can skyrocket, sometimes reaching £30,000-£60,000 just for medical transport from Europe.