Can I get a refund if I cancel my holiday because of the heatwave?

It’s looking like Groundhog Day in the Mediterranean. After last summer’s record-breaking temperatures, Greece, Italy and Croatia are sweltering under yet another heatwave. It is bad enough for the locals, but – as the schools break up this week and next – they are about to be joined by millions of British holidaymakers.

For some, it will be a welcome contrast to the UK summer, but for many it risks being just too hot. What can you do if you are worried about the heat? Is it possible to cancel or rebook your holiday? Will cancellations be covered by insurance? We look at the options.

Where are the main heatwaves?

In Europe, the biggest problems are in the Mediterranean – although the Balkans are also expected to see high temperatures.

Over the next few days, temperatures are expected to top 42C in Greece, Croatia, Italy and Spain as a plume of hot air from North Africa forms a heat dome over the east and central Mediterranean.

The hottest spots include Greece, which has already suffered one heatwave this summer. The areas hardest hit are likely to be in the central, western and northern mainland areas as well as the Ionian Islands, where the temperature in Corfu is forecast to hit 39C. Crete will get off relatively lightly with the thermometer perhaps touching 36C over the weekend, but then dropping back to the low 30sC.

Meanwhile,  the health ministry in Italy has issued extreme heat warnings for 12 cities from Rome up to Trieste in the north, with Palermo in Sicily likely to be added to the list soon.

This time it seems as though coastal Spain will miss the worst of the heatwave, though temperatures in some inland areas have been forecast to reach up to 44C.

I’m worried that my holiday will be ruined. Can I cancel and claim on insurance?

Unfortunately, this is unlikely. Policies usually only allow claims for cancellations in the event of illness, bereavement or an exceptionally long delay to departure.

It is conceivable that you might be covered on medical grounds. Talking to The Telegraph during last summer’s heat wave, Peter Hayman, of PJ Hayman insurance, cautioned: “if someone was to submit a claim for cancellation due to excessive (and not normal) heat in their destination and this would make their declared/underwritten medical condition worse, I’d hope that some common sense would be applied to the claim.

“I’d expect to see a cancellation claim favourably handled when circumstances like this arise,” he continued. “This is assuming, of course, that the person didn’t know about the excessive heat when they booked the trip.”

Another exception might be if the UK government issued a warning advising against all but essential travel to your destination. But, because weather is so unpredictable and heat waves pass relatively quickly, that is unlikely. It is also possible that if a state of emergency lasting more than a few days is declared in specific destinations, that might change the situation. But again, the chances of this are slim.

What other options do I have?

The terms and conditions attached to most package holidays enforce a 90-100 per cent charge for last-minute cancellations. You will also lose your money if you decide not to take a flight  – though some airlines do allow you to rebook, subject to a charge. Some hotels – especially if booked through a reservation site such as Booking.com – will sometimes allow you to cancel or rebook within 48 hours of departure.

If you have booked with an operator or an accommodation provider, your best bet is to talk to the company concerned. It is possible that you may be allowed to postpone, or to change your destination. But don’t hold out too much hope – this is peak season and most operators will not want to lose revenue unless it is a real emergency.

What about forest fires?

Last year, when Rhodes was hit by especially bad wildfires, many tour operators suspended operations or offered holidaymakers alternative holiday destinations. While there have been some fires this summer, especially in Greece, the situation is nowhere near as bad as it was last summer.

What if I get ill from the heat?

Travel insurance will nearly always cover medical treatment as a result of heatstroke or another symptom caused by extreme temperatures. If you, your family or a friend does become ill, call the emergency assistance number on the policy for advice. The best advice though is, as always, to respect the power of the Mediterranean sun, stay in the shade and take every opportunity to cool down.

This article was first published in 2023 and has been revised and updated.