Can I make a travel insurance claim if I have to cancel my holiday due to a European heatwave?

Residents and tourists are sweltering as a new heatwave sweeps across southern Europe.

Temperatures in Spain soared to 45°C on Monday, while the extreme heat in the Italian island of Sardinia expected to peak at 46°C on Tuesday.

Wildfires have taken hold in Greece, Spain and Switzerland, major tourist attractions have been closed and holiday hotspots have been evacuated.

The hot weather, which experts say is amplified as a result of climate change, is expected to continue for days yet.

The UN weather agency said temperatures in Europe could even break the 48.8°C record set in Sicily two years ago.

Is it safe to visit areas affected by the heatwave?

Airlines are continuing to fly to areas affected by the heatwave.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says no travel can be guaranteed as safe, but almost all the roughly 50 million trips abroad Britons make on average a year are trouble free.

To make trips in areas affected by heatwaves as low in risk as possible, it is recommended that holidaymakers follow official health advice.

Some key measures the NHS advises people take to cope in hot weather include staying in the shade especially when the sun is at its hottest, wearing sunscreen, a hat and light clothes and staying hydrated.

Will travel insurers pay out if I cancel my holiday due to a heatwave?

There have been reports that tourists are cancelling trips to heatwave hotspots over concerns about the weather.

One holidaymaker, Katie Darmanin, 42, from Wolverhampton, told i she tried to get a refund from Jet2.com for her planned holiday to Rome with her son.

Ms Darmanin said: “They said they only follow the Foreign Office advice and if it’s not on an advisory list there is nothing they can do.”

Not all holidaymakers are shying away from the heat.

Travel agent Greg Pritchard is holidaying in Mojacar, a popular tourist resort in Almeria, southern Spain, where temperatures hit 33°C by 10am on Tuesday.

Mr Pritchard said: “The conversations I was having before I left were, ‘Greg you must be mad, it is going to so hot down there [in Spain].

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“I have travelled in Africa and coped with extreme temperatures. You just keep going and make sure you don’t keel over.”

Insurance and consumer experts have warned travellers they will not receive payouts from their insurance providers if they cancel because of the weather.

James Daley, managing director of consumer group and ratings provider Fairer Finance, said: “Travel insurance will not cover you if you decide to cancel your holiday due to extreme temperatures.

“For there to be any cover, there will need to have been some kind of natural disaster – such as a fire that has damaged your accommodation – or a change in the foreign office advice. Even then, many policies may not cover you unless you have bought an additional natural disaster add on.”

Louise Clarke, policy adviser, general insurance, for the Association of British Insurers said: “Travel insurance is mainly in place to cover the costs of emergency medical treatments, which can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“It can cover you if you need to cancel or cut short your holiday, but this will likely only be under limited circumstances: for example, if you or a close family member fall ill – and not because of a disinclination to travel.

“Insurance can also cover you if advice from the Government changes since you’ve booked your trip and it’s no longer considered safe to travel to the destination.”

What will travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance can safeguard you from extortionate medical fees if you fall ill or get injured while abroad, including when ailments are heatwave-related.

“If you become ill, insurers will have a 24-hour phone number for you to call if you need to use your insurance. In emergency situations, seek help at the nearest appropriate medical facility and contact your insurer as soon as it’s safe to do so,” Ms Clarke said.

She added: “If you need support but it’s not an emergency, call your insurer before seeking medical assistance.”

Mr Daley said: “Once you’re on holiday, most policies will cover any costs you incur if your holiday is disrupted by fire. But again, there are many cheaper policies that provide no coverage for this.

“Even where there is coverage, some policies will only pay to get you relocated, and won’t pay for you to be flown home early – no matter how traumatic the experience. As ever, it’s really important to read the small print when you’re buying these policies – as there’s a huge range of coverage.”

What health risks does the extreme heat pose?

Exposure to extreme heat can lead to health issues, which in some cases can be fatal.

The main health risks heatwaves pose to are dehydration as a result of not drinking enough water, overheating and heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Older people, especially women and those aged over 75, children, people with a serious or long-term illness and people who are on multiple medicines that may make them more likely to be badly affected by hot weather are at a higher risk of falling ill.

Where can I find the latest travel updates and advice?

For official Government advice, which includes advice on hazardous weather events and country specific guidance, head to the FCDO website.

It also advisable to check with your airline before you travel.