"Full Refund if Heat Ruins Vacation"... 'Heatwave Travel Insurance' Launched in the US

10% Travel Cost Insurance Premium... Similar to 'Heavy Rain Travel Insurance'
Heatwave in the Mediterranean Disrupts Millions of Vacations

As record-breaking heatwaves continue around the world, a travel insurance product that compensates travelers when the heat becomes severe during their trips is set to be launched soon.

On the 31st, a tourist is cooling off at a fountain in Cordoba, Spain. [Photo by EPA·Yonhap News]

According to the UK iNews on the 30th of last month (local time), Nick Cavano, CEO of the US travel insurance company Sensible Weather, said in an interview with iNews, "We will soon launch a product that protects travelers against extreme temperatures."

Cavano, who is also a climatologist, explained, "We found that each traveler has different expectations of 'too hot' depending on when and where they travel," adding, "As we launch the product, we will continue to refine it to find the 'optimal temperature' based on customers, locations, and timing."

This idea came amid recent wildfires caused by dry weather and scorching heat above 40 degrees Celsius on the southeastern Greek island of Rhodes and the Italian island of Sicily over the past two weeks, disrupting the daily lives and vacations of millions.

According to the UK daily newspaper The Telegraph, British tourists traveling in these areas at the time had to take emergency evacuation flights back to their country. Many people criticized travel agencies and reportedly demanded not only refunds but also assistance in returning home.

CEO Cavano: "It Can Help Protect Both Customers and Travel Agencies"

People cooling off at the Trevi Fountain in Italy
Photo by EPA · Yonhap News

Above all, CEO Cavano emphasized that financial products like weather insurance can help protect both customers and travel agencies from uncertainties caused by climate change.

Although he has not yet designed the specific insurance product, he explained that it would be similar to Sensible Weather’s previously launched "Rain Travel Insurance."

Currently, Sensible Weather sells an insurance product that covers travelers in case of difficulties caused by rain. This product charges customers 10% of the total travel cost as a premium and pays out the travel cost for the day if it rains for more than two hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the trip.

CEO Cavano explained, "For example, if the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, we compensate 50% of the total travel cost, and if it exceeds 40 degrees, we compensate 100%," adding, "Our goal is to create an insurance system that maximizes consumer value and manages financial risk while keeping prices affordable."

He also added, "We may offer different compensation depending on how hot it gets."

Residents Evacuating by Boat Due to Wildfires in Greece
Photo by EPA and Yonhap News

Meanwhile, as popular European vacation spots suffer from heatwaves this summer, more people are seeking comfortable holiday destinations, CNN reported on the 21st of last month (local time).

According to a survey conducted this month by the European Travel Commission (ETC), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, of about 6,000 Europeans, the number of tourists planning to visit Mediterranean destinations this summer and fall decreased by 10% compared to the same period last year.

The ETC also reported that preferences have increased for relatively cooler countries such as the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.