The Dutch Association of Insurers therefore advises holidaymakers to check the current travel advice before departure, to view the policy conditions of their travel and cancellation insurance and to save the emergency number of the insurer or emergency centre. "Drought and wildfires can quickly turn a holiday into an emergency situation. Therefore, check the travel advice and your insurance in advance, and if in doubt, contact your insurer or travel organisation in time," says Director of Damage, Geeke Feiter, on behalf of the Dutch Association of Insurers.
In the event of forest fires or extreme drought, the main question is whether the journey remains safe and feasible. Will an area be closed off, will an accommodation not be accessible or will an evacuation follow? Then contact your travel organisation, airline, insurer or emergency centre. They can advise on rebooking, return or necessary extra costs.
Flight delayed or cancelled?
In the event of cancelled or delayed flights due to forest fires, smoke, extreme weather or closure of an airport, the airline is the first to act. Travelers are often entitled to rebooking, refund or care, such as food, drinks or, if necessary, a hotel stay. Travel insurance can provide additional help, for example with extra travel or accommodation costs, missed connections or damage to luggage.
Cancelling yourself because it is hot, dry or restless at the destination is usually not automatically reimbursed. Therefore, do not cancel on your own initiative without first checking the conditions or contacting your insurer, insurance adviser, travel organisation or airline.
Extreme rain or hail
Drought does not rule out extreme rain or hailstorms: warm air can actually retain more moisture, which can cause showers to be locally heavy. Are you caught in flooding due to extreme rain or hail? Follow instructions from local authorities, get to safety and contact your travel organisation, insurer or emergency centre in case of damage. Protect your car from large hailstones by parking it covered as soon as possible; If that is not possible, place blankets, floor mats or a special hail cover over the roof, hood and windows. One of the priorities is the windscreen, because if it is badly damaged, the car can no longer be driven.
Pay attention to colour codes
The travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains leading. Green and yellow mean that holidays are possible, although there may be special safety risks with yellow. Orange means: only travel if necessary. Red means: no travel.
Please note: colour codes may vary by region. A country can be mostly green or yellow, while an area with forest fires, smoke development or evacuations temporarily turns orange or red. Take a good look at your policy conditions for which colour codes you may be (less) covered if you do leave for such an area.
Advice to travellers
- Check the current travel advice shortly before departure and during your trip.
- Check your travel and cancellation insurance, including coverage for medical expenses, baggage and extra accommodation costs.
- Keep receipts of necessary extra costs.
- Always follow instructions from local authorities.
- If in doubt, contact your travel organisation, airline, insurer or emergency centre.
With good preparation, travellers can hopefully do what they are going on holiday for: enjoy a nice and safe summer.