Ombudsman turns to volcanic ash issues

The Financial Ombudsman Service has begun to handle insurance complaints relating to the volcanic ash. A spokesman said a few cases had already come through but it was difficult to anticipate the eventual number. “When consumers do contact us with those or any other issues, we must remind them they have to go through the complaints with the firm itself and they have eight weeks to sort it out.”

The Association of British Insurers estimates travel insurers will pay £62m in claims to travellers affected by the disruption. The ash cloud from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano shut down airspace for six days in April.