Sat, 02 Aug 2025

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 What to do if your planned holiday destination is affected by wildfires

BBC News has spoken to a range of experts to look at where you stand with cancellations and insurance.

* Mainland Greece, Greek islands, Turkey, France, and the Balkans have been affected by wildfires in recent weeks.
* A heatwave has also hit the region, with temperatures reaching 50.5C in Silopi, Turkey, and 44C in Athens and Cyprus.
* The Foreign Office says it's safe to travel to these destinations for now, but there may be delays or cancellations due to wildfires. Travel insurance options:
* Some travel insurance providers offer additional coverage for natural catastrophes like wildfires within a certain radius (e.g., 20km).
* If you have not purchased this additional coverage and decide to cancel your trip, you may not be able to claim for cancellation costs.
* Standard policies usually cover disruption to your trip caused by wildfires, including curtailment or cancellation. Alternative options:
* Contact your airline and hotel to discuss bespoke solutions if they are aware of the situation.
* If you have no insurance but your holiday provider or airline has cancelled bookings, you may be eligible for a refund from these companies.
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