As Kilauea volcano continues to unleash its fury on Hawaii's Big Island, a travel insurance expert at comparison website finder.com.au has offered advice to travellers who may be wondering whether their travel insurance will be covering any interruptions or delays.
The volcano started erupting more than two weeks ago and has become even more dangerous since.
According to ABC and CNN reports, in addition to the catastrophic lava that razed dozens of homes and sulfur dioxide and ash particles that pose serious health risks, the people of Big Island have one more thing to fear as the rivers of molten rock have reached the ocean – laze.
Laze, or lava haze, is a corrosive gas formed when hot lava meets the ocean, sending hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass particles into the air.
finder.com.au's Bessie Hassan said that so far, no flights have yet been cancelled, and advised travellers to “keep an ear to the ground for announcements from your airline and go from there.”
"Some airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines have even offered alternative travel dates in the case that flights may be affected,” she said.
For travellers whose holiday was interrupted by the event, Hassan said they “should contact their insurers for clarity on whether they’ll still be providing cover for any interruptions to flights or bookings” and to “retain proof of purchase for any expenses and provide as much information as possible to your insurer."
“Travellers who took out their insurance policy before the eruption was a known event should be able to claim for interruptions and delays caused by the volcano,” Hassan said, as she urged travellers to “check the inclusions of your policy, check the date you took it out, and contact your insurer for clarity.”
But what about those who still haven't got their insurance?
“Typically, once a natural disaster is a known event it’s too late to take out insurance,” Hassan said. "However, this can differ between brands, so contact your provider directly to find out further information."
