Will my travel insurance cover wildfires?
Wildfires burning in areas of France and Spain have caused widespread disruption and the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Some local officials have asked tourists not to travel to affected areas.
However, it is not guaranteed that travel insurance will cover the cost of cancelling or changing your holiday. You should check if your policy specifically includes disruption caused by natural disasters.
Key takeaways
Travel insurance may cover wildfires but only if you have the right cover e.g. catastrophe cover and the event isn't already known before buying your policy
You should always follow the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and only travel when it's safe to do so
You may receive a refund if your trip is affected due to wildfires, depending on various circumstances, e.g. if the government has advised against all travel
Recent wildfires in parts of France and Spain have forced large-scale evacuations, disrupted flights, closed roads and temporarily affected popular tourist destinations.
According to recent reports, more than 300,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain during recent wildfire outbreaks, leaving many travellers wondering whether they can still go on holiday or claim on their travel insurance.
Does travel insurance cover wildfires?
Yes it can, but it depends on what’s covered in your specific policy. Protection against wildfires typically falls under catastrophe cover (sometimes listed as natural disaster cover) within a travel insurance policy.
Only some single trip and annual multi trip policies include catastrophe cover as standard. Many basic and budget travel insurance policies exclude natural disasters altogether or offer limited protection.
For other policies, natural disaster cover may be sold as an optional add-on or require an upgrade to a premium tier.
Without this specific type of cover, your insurer may decline claims for alternative accommodation, transport adjustments, or lost belongings caused by a wildfire.
You may also be covered if you have travel disruption cover, which usually includes protection against natural disasters.
Policies vary by insurer, so the best way to check you’re covered before you travel is to review your policy wording and look at any exclusions.
It’s important to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. If wildfires are already affecting your destination when you take out your policy, your insurer may consider this a known event and you may not be covered for any related claims.
Can I still travel if there are wildfires near my destination?
In many cases, you can still travel if there are wildfires in the country you’re travelling to. A wildfire affecting one area of a country does not necessarily mean the whole destination is unsafe or that your holiday needs to be cancelled.
Local authorities will assess the risk and may introduce evacuation orders, travel restrictions or safety measures if needed.
Before you travel, check the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), as well as updates from your airline, tour operator or accommodation provider.
If the FCDO advises against travel to your destination, this will affect your travel insurance cover, so it’s important to understand your policy before you go.
France travel advice
Still current at: 5 Aug 2026
France is following Schengen area rules, meaning your passport must be less than 10 years old at issue and valid for at least 3 months after your departure date; you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Be aware of a high risk of wildfires between April and October, particularly in the south, and a high threat of terrorism with potential attacks in public places. France is implementing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for short stays, which may require biometric data registration at the border, so allow extra time for checks.
France is following Schengen area rules, meaning your passport must be less than 10 years old at issue and valid for at least 3 months after your departure date; you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Be aware of a high risk of wildfires between April and October, particularly in the south, and a high threat of terrorism with potential attacks in public places. France is implementing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for short stays, which may require biometric data registration at the border, so allow extra time for checks.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
Spain travel advice
Still current at: 5 Aug 2026
Ensure your passport is less than 10 years old and valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area. You can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or short stays, but be aware that a new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented, which may require biometric data like fingerprints and a photo upon entry and exit to the Schengen area, potentially leading to longer wait times at borders. While Spain is generally safe, be mindful of street crime and scams, and always stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
Ensure your passport is less than 10 years old and valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area. You can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or short stays, but be aware that a new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented, which may require biometric data like fingerprints and a photo upon entry and exit to the Schengen area, potentially leading to longer wait times at borders. While Spain is generally safe, be mindful of street crime and scams, and always stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
Where and when are wildfires most common?
Wildfires are most common in regions that combine intense heat, low humidity, prolonged drought, and strong winds.
In Southern Europe and the Mediterranean:
Peak wildfire season: June through September, with the highest risk occurring in July and August, when high temperatures dry out scrubland and forests.
Outside Europe, high-risk periods depend on the climate zone. In the Western United States and Canada, fire risk peaks from July through October, driven by dry summer heat and autumn winds.
In the Southern Hemisphere, most notably Australia, the peak bushfire season occurs during their summer months, spanning December through February.
What will my travel insurance cover if a wildfire starts while I'm on holiday?
If your policy includes cover against wildfires, protection typically includes:
Emergency medical care: full cover for hospital care, emergency treatment, and smoke inhalation treatment is standard across almost all policies
Alternative accommodation: reimburses the cost of booking replacement accommodation if your hotel or villa is evacuated or destroyed
Emergency evacuation and transport: covers extra travel expenses incurred if local authorities order an emergency area evacuation
Damaged belongings: pays out for luggage, clothing, or personal items lost or damaged if you are forced to evacuate without time to pack
Independent booking cancellations: covers pre-booked non-refundable costs, such as excursion tickets or car hire, that you cannot use due to the fire
What should I be aware of when buying travel insurance?
Before you buy a policy, keep these essential checks in mind to ensure you get the right protection for wildfires:
Does the policy include catastrophe cover?
Not all standard travel insurance policies include natural disaster protection by default, as it is often sold as an optional add-on or restricted to premium tiers.
When comparing quotes on MoneySuperMarket, click ‘view details’ and open the product information document to quickly see whether catastrophe cover is included.
Does the insurer class wildfires as a catastrophe?
What counts as a natural disaster varies wildly between insurance providers, meaning some policies cover wildfires while others strictly exclude them.
If your policy document doesn't explicitly state that wildfires are included under catastrophe cover, contact the provider directly to confirm before purchasing.
How much will the policy actually pay out?
Cover limits differ significantly between providers, so a low payout cap could still leave you paying hundreds out-of-pocket for emergency hotel stays and last-minute travel.
For example, you're evacuated from a hotel in Costa del Sol due to an approaching wildfire and have to book emergency accommodation in Malaga for three nights at £200 a night, totalling £600. If your travel insurance policy caps natural disaster accommodation cover at £350, your insurer will reimburse that £350 limit, leaving you to pay the remaining £250 out of your own pocket.
Most insurers also require alternative accommodation to match the standard of your original booking, meaning you can't upgrade from a budget rental to a luxury hotel and expect full reimbursement.
Will I receive compensation if a wildfire affects my travel plans?
Whether you get a refund on your holiday during a wildfire depends on how your trip was booked, who initiates the cancellation, and whether official government safety warnings are in place:
If your flight is cancelled because of a wildfire
Under UK/EU261 consumer law, if an airline cancels your flight for any reason, including severe wildfire smoke or closed airspace, you are legally entitled to a 14-day cash refund or a free transfer to the next available flight.
If you are stranded at the airport when the flight is cancelled, the airline must provide free meals, drinks, and overnight hotel accommodation while you wait for rerouting.
While you get a ticket refund, you will not receive additional cash delay compensation (£220–£520). Wildfires are legally classed as "extraordinary circumstances" beyond the airline's control.
If your hotel cancels your booking because of a wildfire
When accommodation closes or becomes inaccessible due to active fires, the provider has failed to supply the agreed service and must issue a full refund.
If you booked a hotel directly (not as part of a package) and the building remains safe and operating, the hotel is not legally required to refund a non-refundable booking, even if the surrounding area is smoky or uncomfortable.
If the hotel refuses a refund for a property affected by local evacuations, your travel insurance will only cover the loss if your policy includes catastrophe cover or travel disruption cover.
If you booked a package holiday
Package holidaymakers hold the strongest legal protections under the Package Travel Regulations 2018.
If your tour operator cancels the holiday or if extraordinary circumstances near your resort significantly impact your trip, you are legally entitled to a full cash refund within 14 days without having to accept a voucher.
If the FCDO advises against travel
Should the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issue a warning advising against all or all-but-essential travel to your destination, package operators will automatically cancel upcoming departures and issue full refunds.
For trips booked independently, your travel insurance cancellation cover will step in to reimburse non-refundable costs, provided you bought the policy before the warning was published.
If you decide it’s not safe to go
Choosing not to travel when your flight is running, your hotel is open, and no FCDO warning is active is classed by insurers as a "disinclination to travel."
Neither your travel provider nor your insurer is legally required to give you a refund in this scenario, so your best option is to request a voluntary date change or credit voucher from your providers directly.
Are there other ways I can claim a refund if my travel insurance doesn't cover wildfires?
If an insurer rejects your claim or your provider fails to refund you, consumer protection laws offer alternative ways to secure a refund if your trip is affected by a wildfire:
Payment or protection method | How it works | Eligibility and limits |
|---|---|---|
Section 75 claim | Under the Consumer Credit Act, your credit card issuer shares equal financial liability if booked services are not delivered. | Applies to single purchases between £100 and £30,000 paid directly by credit card. |
Chargeback | A bank scheme that lets you dispute transactions for services you did not receive. | Applies to debit cards and credit card transactions under £100, usually within 120 days. |
ATOL / ABTA schemes | Industry protection schemes that safeguard flight packages and travel agency bookings. | Protects your money if a travel provider goes bust or fails to supply the agreed package. |
Financial Ombudsman | An independent tribunal that settles consumer disputes with financial providers. | Available if your travel insurer unfairly turns down a valid wildfire claim. |
What if I'm already on holiday when a wildfire breaks out?
If a wildfire breaks out while you're away:
Follow evacuation instructions immediately
Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line
Speak to your tour operator or accommodation provider
Keep receipts for any extra costs if your insurer advises you to arrange alternative accommodation or transport yourself
If you're injured or become ill because of the wildfire, emergency medical treatment is generally covered in the same way as any other medical emergency, subject to your policy terms.
Who can help me if I feel unsafe while on holiday?
If wildfires break out after you arrive, key organisations share duty-of-care responsibilities:
Local emergency services handle immediate evacuation procedures and safety warnings. Dial 112 across Europe for immediate emergency support
Tour operators and package providers must arrange safe alternative accommodation or organise emergency transport home if your resort becomes unsafe
The UK FCDO offers 24/7 consular telephone assistance for British nationals abroad(+44 20 7008 5000) and issues emergency travel documents if your passport is lost during an evacuation. Consular services do not fund private evacuation flights or cover hotel costs
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