WILDFIRES IN EUROPE
This summer, wildfires have occurred across Europe. This page explains what you need to know about your Saga Travel Insurance cover, the support available to you and the steps you should take if your travel plans are affected by these events.
A wildfire in one part of a country might not mean you can't get to your destination elsewhere in the same country. Emergency services and local authorities are working hard to contain or manage wildfires while holiday resorts, airports, events and attractions in unaffected regions are continuing as normal.
If you’re unsure how this situation affects your cover, or you’d like to talk things through, our team is here to help. Please contact us and one of our team will be happy to discuss your individual circumstances.
If you are due to travel to an affected region (before you leave the UK)
We strongly recommend you:
Check and follow UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for your destination and any countries you may be travelling through. The FCDO website has the latest official travel advice for all countries and territories.
Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts for your destination and any transit countries. To do this:
- Visit gov.uk
- Select the country you are visiting or travelling through
- Choose 'Get email alerts'
- Select how often you wish to receive updates (for example, each time the page is updated).
Contact your tour operator, airline or travel provider before travelling to the airport if your destination or flight route is affected. They are responsible for offering alternative travel arrangements or refunds if services are cancelled.
If you are already in an affected region
We strongly recommend you:
- Continue to follow FCDO travel advice for the country you are in, as well as guidance from local authorities. Follow instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services at all times.
- Contact your airline, tour operator or travel provider first for help with rearranging travel or returning home.
- Call 112 if you need emergency help. 112 is the emergency number in all 27 EU member states as well as other European countries. 112 operators respond only to real emergencies – they do not provide traffic and weather reports, general information or answers to queries. 112 is available in the following European countries: all EU member states, Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK.
Returning home and policy extension
- You should first contact your airline or travel provider to arrange your return.
- If you are stranded abroad and cannot return as planned, your Saga Travel Insurance policy will automatically extend at no extra charge until you are able to return home.
- You should return home as soon as travel becomes available.
Wildfire FAQs
Yes. You can cancel the policy within 14 days of buying your policy and receive a full refund, provided you have not already travelled and no claim has been made. After 14 days, you can still cancel your policy, but no refund will be due. If you have a single trip policy please see our question on changing the destination or trip length.
Yes, prior to departure and provided you have not made (and do not intend to make) a claim related to the original trip. If your new destination or travel dates are different, your premium may change. Any change will be explained before your policy is updated.
For annual multi-trip policies, changes must remain within the policy region and trip limits you agreed when purchasing the policy, which are shown in your policy documents.
If your booking was part of a package holiday, you are entitled to a refund from the provider. If you booked travel and accommodation separately, contact your providers directly. Most reputable providers may offer refunds or the option to rebook for a later date.
Saga Travel Insurance includes cancellation cover on all annual policies and it is optional on our single trip policies. If you have cancellation cover you may be able to claim on your travel insurance if the cancellation is deemed to be a necessity. Please check your policy documentation or policy booklet for instructions on how to claim.
Please note, Saga Travel Insurance does not cover you for cancelling or cutting short your trip because of your disinclination to travel, such as feeling worried about travelling.
Saga Travel Insurance will also not cover a claim under the Cancellation or Abandonment sections of your policy following a natural catastrophe that has occurred more than 20km from your booked accommodation.
You should continue to follow FCDO and local authority advice, and contact your airline or tour operator in the first instance. If your holiday is affected, your travel provider should provide assistance with getting you home or moving you to alternative accommodation.
If you need urgent assistance, please contact us and one of our team will be happy to discuss your individual circumstances. As with every claim, these will be assessed in line with the terms, limits, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
Saga Travel Insurance will not cover a claim under the Abandonment section of your policy following a natural catastrophe that has occurred more than 20km from your booked accommodation.
Yes. If you are unable to return home as planned, your policy will automatically extend at no extra charge until you can return at the earliest opportunity.
Yes. If you expect to run out of your prescription medication before you return home, we will cover the reasonable cost of obtaining an additional supply. This cover applies to prescribed medication only, not over-the-counter medicines, such as paracetamol.
If your airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a refund or to rebook and there will probably be information on what to do on the cancellation notification you receive. This is likely to be either contact your airline or tour operator.
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