Expert post: Will volcanic ash spoil my holiday?

Nearly three-quarters of Brits planning a holiday abroad next month are worried that volcanic ash will affect their plans, according to new research. Fifty-seven per cent of people are worried about booking flights this year because of recurring ash cloud disruption and one in ten are thinking of changing their summer holiday plans because of the ash cloud, reports money saving site Invisible Hand.

However, the good news is that according to the Met Office, the Grimsvotn Volcano in Iceland which caused the latest disruptions has "paused". This means that UK air space is not expected to be affected by volcanic ash in the near future. Yet volcanos often have several pauses during their eruption phase, and it is only when it has been paused for three months that a volcano can be considered dormant.

Of course nothing is ever certain and while it is probably unnecessary to cancel your holiday, there are ways to protect yourself in case of another eruption. The most important thing is to read the small-print in your insurance policy to find out if you are covered in case of volcanic ash disruption and if so, to what level.

Policies vary widely on this. MoneyMaxim has some useful information on which companies cover what, but their list is not exhaustive. If you are in doubt, call your insurance provider well before you leave to find out what is covered and, if necessary, change your policy to one which provides a greater level of cover.

What are my rights?

Whether you are insured or not, you do have certain entitlements if you get stranded abroad. Your airline or tour operator should provide meals, refreshments and overnight accommodation until they are able to transport you home. If you need to get back urgently and decide to make your own arrangements, you will need to claim this back from your insurer. This is why it is important to know exactly what is covered in advance.

If your outbound flight is cancelled, you must be given a refund or allowed to rebook. There is some more useful information in Liz Jarvis' post written when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted last year.

How else can I protect myself?

As with every holiday, it is important to book with a company which is ABTA or ATOL bonded to ensure you are treated fairly and reimbursed in case of problems. It can be a good idea to book flights and holidays with a credit card for a "belt and braces" approach too as your credit card company will offer some insurance in case of cancellation.

Happy holidays!

Further reading

For the latest on the volcanic ash situation check the Met Office and Civil Aviation Authority websites.

Catherine Cooper is author of Travelling with Children: A Parent's Guide