Virgin Money UK

Last updated: 17 August 2026

The situation in France and Spain is changing quickly, and we understand this can make travel plans feel uncertain. To stay informed, please check the latest official guidance for your destination on the UK Government’s foreign travel advice page at GOV.UK Link opens in a new window.

What if I’m already in an affected country?

If you’re unable to return to the UK because of wildfires, your cover will be automatically extended until you’re able to travel back using a government‑approved route.

Please follow the advice of local authorities, and make your presence known to the relevant government services where instructed. For the latest guidance on what you should do, check the foreign travel advice updates on GOV.UK Link opens in a new window.

If you need urgent medical help while you’re abroad, our Medical Emergency Helpline is available 24/7 on +44(0)1273 740 980 or email virginmoneytravelassistance@travelguard.com. Link opens in a new window

Am I covered?

The following cover is provided under ‘Section O: If your trip is affected by a natural disaster’. Natural disaster includes volcanic eruption, flood, tsunami, earthquake, landslide, hurricane, tornado, or wildfire.

What is covered?

Cancelling your trip

We’ll pay up to £5,000 to cover travel, accommodation and activities if you’re forced to cancel your trip because of a natural disaster. We’ll do this for amounts you’ve already paid or have agreed to pay under a contract, including for activities that you may have booked.

You can check to see what activities we cover on pages 46 and 47 of our Club M account insurance policy wording.

You can also claim for cancelling your trip if travel to your destination is delayed because of a natural disaster. We’ll do this as long as you still couldn’t travel after 24 hours. We’ll also pay for your visas.

Your outward journey is delayed

We’ll pay up to £100 if, after checking in, the outward leg of your journey is delayed by a natural disaster. This is to cover extra costs you have to pay as a result of being stranded in the first 24 hours. We’ll pay for any emergency items you need and extra costs of travel, accommodation, and food and drink you have to buy.

If you couldn’t check in because of a natural disaster, we may still be able to cover you depending on your situation. Contact Travel Guard to talk through your options.

We’ll pay up to £200 if the outward leg of your journey is delayed because of a natural disaster, and you still decide to go on your trip. This is to cover extra transport costs to reach your planned destination.

Your international connection or journey home is delayed.

We’ll pay claims if your international connection or journey home is delayed by a natural disaster. We’ll pay £150 for every 24 hours that you’re stranded to cover travel, accommodation, food and drink, and any emergency items.

We’ll cover you for up to five days – so the most we’ll pay is £750. We’ll cover the cost of getting to the original departure point from your accommodation, as well as the cost of going to a different departure point. If you choose to stay in the country, we’ll cover travel to different accommodation.

Getting you home

We may be able to make alternative travel arrangements for you if your return journey is delayed by a natural disaster. If we do, we’ll pay up to £2,000. We’ll only do this if the carrier you booked with can’t get you home within 72 hours of the date you expected to arrive home.

We may also make travel arrangements if your journey home stops at multiple locations, and the onward journey is delayed by a natural disaster. We’ll either bring you straight home or rearrange your onward journey. Make sure you check with Travel Guard before paying for your own travel rearrangements.

Extra car parking and pet care costs

You might have to pay extra car parking and pet care costs if you arrive home later than expected. If so, we’ll pay up to £50 for every extra 24 hours of parking you’re charged for if your journey home was delayed by a natural disaster. For kennel or cattery fees, we’ll also pay up to £50 for every extra 24 hours. We’ll cover you for up to five days, up to a limit of £250.

If I decide not to travel?

If your travel plans have been affected, contact your airline or travel provider first. They’re responsible for helping you with refunds, rebooking or finding alternative arrangements.

Cancellation or cutting my trip short

If your trip is a package holiday, please contact your holiday provider first.

They are responsible for:

discussing your options, and
arranging alternative accommodation for you if you need to leave your booked accommodation early.

If your holiday has been cancelled and your provider is an ABTA member, they will explain your options, which could include:

an alternative holiday, or
a refund for the cost of the package holiday.

If you booked your arrangements separately (for example, flight, accommodation and transfers booked individually):

If your flight has been cancelled, you should normally be entitled to a refund from your airline.
You should then check the terms and conditions of your other bookings (such as accommodation and transport) to see whether your providers will refund your costs.

Travel insurance does not provide cover for travel to any destination where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel or all but essential travel.