Travel insurance claims arising from the intermittent eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland might still be recognised – depending on the insured’s ability to foresee the unforseen.

In an announcement to “clarify” its stance on paying insurance claims on policies purchased after April 16, the date of the volcano’s eruption, Chartis says it understands future flight disruptions caused by volcanic ash will “in most cases, be unforeseen or unexpected”.

It says due to this uncertainty, most travel clams post-April 16 would “generally be covered”.

But Chartis says that should customers have prior knowledge of an eruption, or the “likelihood of disruption to travel” at the time of purchase, then it would be “unlikely” to honour the claim.

Travel Product Manager Mark Kopec says Chartis will not view the eruption as a pre-existing condition and it will “consider claims irrespective of government intervention or regulations”.

“However, if you buy or activate an insurance policy after an unforseen or unexpected event occurs, you are undermining the whole purpose of an insurance policy,” Mr Kopec said. “Claims in such circumstances may not be paid.”

Chartis says it has paid more than $2 million in claims in connection to volcanic eruption, which caused a virtual standstill of air traffic throughout Europe.