More than 20,000 football fans are expected to travel to South Africa for the world’s premier football event this June. There is however widespread concern that the recent volcanic ash cloud that affected air travel worldwide could lead to further flight delays or trip cancellations.

In light of the above football fans have been urged to buy travel insurance upon booking their flight tickets to avoid potential losses due to cancelled flights.

Paul Thilo, Vice President - Consumer Marketing at Direct Travel Insurance said: "Many of our customers are concerned about their forthcoming holidays, particularly as the volcanic ash situation may continue. Football fans heading to South Africa should make sure they have suitable cover and not simply consider insurance as an optional extra. Our ambition is to enable our customers to focus on enjoying the football, which promises to be a fantastic event."

UK travel insurance provider Direct Travel has confirmed that they will cover claims from customers that are either stranded abroad or cannot travel due to the volcanic ash. Many travel insurance policies do not cover such situations, but in light of these extraordinary circumstances Direct Travel Insurance is treating this as an ‘adverse weather event’. This means customers may be able to make a claim for Delayed departure, Abandonment or Missed departure under their policy.

Direct Travel Insurance, nominated as the most trusted travel insurance provider in the Moneywise Customer Service Awards 2010, offers 24 hour medical emergency services, Medical expenses up to £20m per person, Missed departure up to £1,000 per person, Delayed departure up to £350 and Abandonment up to £6,000 per person. If the volcanic eruptions affect travel to South Africa, football fans that have a Direct Travel Insurance policy will be able to submit a claim for Delayed departure, Missed departure or Abandonment.

For further press information, contact Sally Wilkinson at Direct Travel Insurance on 07894 095 384.

Note to editors:

• Established in 1993, Direct Travel Insurance has now insured 8 million people and provided winter sports cover for 1.4 million policyholders.

• Direct Travel Insurance offers Single Trip, Winter Sports travel cover, Backpacker insurance and Annual Multi-trip travel insurance.

• Direct Travel Insurance policies include a 24 hour medical emergency service, Medical expenses up to £20m per person, Missed departure up to £1,000, Delayed departure up to £350 and Abandonment up to £6,000 per person.

• Direct Travel Insurance will automatically extend cover, at no extra cost, for all policyholders that are stranded abroad due to the travel disruption.

• Direct Travel Insurance offers Talking Nurses, a free service giving health advice to worried travellers, including information on local medicine when travelling abroad.