Bank of Ireland and travel insurer Chartis take steps to assist customers disrupted by Icelandic Volcano

Bank of Ireland today announced that it is to take a flexible and sympathetic approach to travel insurance policyholders who have been adversely affected as a result of the Icelandic volcano eruption. The Bank’s travel insurance underwriter, Chartis Insurance Ireland, has decided to pay claims where cover is normally available for “Adverse” or “Poor Weather”. This is designed to help customers who purchased travel insurance on or before 13th April 2010.

“Many people are finding the consequences of the Icelandic volcano eruption to be costly and these costs are not typically covered by travel insurance policies. However, together with our partner, Chartis Insurance Ireland, we have agreed to help our customers by adopting a more flexible and sympathetic approach in these exceptional circumstances. We hope that this gesture will be of real assistance to our policyholders, some who have yet to return home”, said Eamon Slevin, Managing Director of Bank of Ireland Insurance Services.

Specifically, Chartis Insurance Ireland has agreed to pay claims on all travel insurance policies under any cover heading that makes references to “Adverse” or “Poor Weather”. In addition, Chartis will not be applying any policy exclusion that relates to the grounding of aircraft by any Government Body or Civil Aviation Authority, which might normally apply. The policy conditions, limits and excesses will be applied in the normal way and payment will only be in respect of losses which cannot be recovered from any other sources such as airlines, tour operators or hotels.

Chartis Insurance has confirmed that this discretionary payment will only apply in respect of insurance purchased or trips undertaken on or before 13th April 2010 and all completed documentation must be sent to their claims administrators, OSG Travel Claims to receive confirmation of policy entitlements.

To formally lodge a claim with them customers should log on to www.osgtravelclaims.ie and download all the relevant documentation. Alternatively customers can call (01) 26111540.

ENDS

For further information contact:
Mary Brennan
Group Communications
Bank of Ireland
Tel: 076 6234781
E: Mary_C.Brennan@boimail.com