Amidst raging wildfires, many Swedes continue to plan their vacations in the affected regions. “I feel completely safe,” shared Hugo, who is set to travel to Barcelona, Spain.
Evacuation Coverage in Home Insurance
Gabriella Hallberg, a lawyer and travel expert at Konsumenternas Försäkringsbyrå, sheds light on important insurance details. “If you’re already at your destination, your home insurance covers evacuation costs under what’s known as ‘travel protection’ or ‘disaster coverage,’” she explains.
Travel Advice from UD
For disaster coverage to come into effect, there are specific conditions that must be met.
“You’re only covered by disaster protection if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) advises against travel to that area,” Hallberg notes. This protection can reimburse you for a new ticket home, up to a maximum of 10,000 kronor per insured person.
Such advisories signal a serious security situation in the region, often tied to political unrest or natural disasters like extensive wildfires.
If you haven’t yet embarked on your journey and a warning is issued, the options for cancellation coverage are fairly limited among insurance providers. Hallberg recommends considering a separate travel insurance policy in this case.
“If you’ve booked a package tour, you enjoy stronger protection since you’re covered by package travel insurance. My advice is to travel with a buffer, keep an eye on UD’s updates through their Resklar app, and ensure you’re registered on the Swedish travel list before your trip.”
