Aviva has responded to the potential impact of the Icelandic volcano on its travel customers.

Hundreds of flights in the UK have been cancelled today because of the ash cloud.

Kate Niven, senior travel underwriter at Aviva said: “If you think the ash cloud might affect your plans to fly from or back to the UK, in the first instance, you should speak to your travel operator, airline or airport you are flying from to check the situation.

“Those customers who have already purchased the Aviva ‘air space closure’ add-on policy will have cover where air space has been closed by the Civil Aviation Authority or airlines have grounded the flight for more than 24 hours as a result of the ash cloud."

Air traffic services company Nats said the ash cloud would continue to affect flights from some airports in Scotland and northern England from 7pm on Tuesday until 1am on Wednesday.

Airports affected include Londonderry, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle and Carlisle.

Niven continued: "The optional air space closure add-on to our standard travel policy, launched last year, provides cover for non-refundable travel and accommodation costs incurred where travel has been affected by UK air space, port or airport closure – for example, in the wake of a volcanic ash cloud causing authorities to close air space, as happened last year.

“If you have purchased single trip insurance and your flight has been cancelled due to the ash cloud we can rearrange the cover for your new holiday date. If your homeward travel to the UK is affected by the ash cloud your policy provides an automatic extension of cover for up to 14 days when you are unable to return home within the trip limit due to your transport being delayed.

“If you have not previously purchased the add-on air space closure cover and your flight is cancelled, the airline will provide either a refund of the ticket cost or alternative flights, either back to your original departure point or to your final destination.

“If the scheduled departure of your international flight is cancelled because of the volcanic ash cloud this would not be covered by our standard travel insurance as it is not an insurable peril."

Aviva said customers can still buy air space closure cover as an add-on to the Aviva travel policy.

However, as this is a ‘known event’ and would therefore not be covered by insurance, you will not be able to make a claim relating to this specific volcanic event, the insurer added.

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