This insurance is truly explosive

[nineveh_uk]

I've not been feeling so great the past couple of days, so it is very nice to have a new Icelandic volcanic eruption to enjoy as of a couple of hours ago. Well, I say 'new' it's next door to the last one, having followed a very similar path to blast off, and the webcam is already up and running. Though not quite in the best place. (Ed. One of the webcams has now been moved for a better view.)

I also this week found the answer to a question I have long pondered, though not sufficiently to look up - who covers the insurance. Answer, Iceland's 'Natural Catastrophe Insurance', a government scheme established in 1975, and covering damage arising from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, avalanches and floods. Premiums are collected automatically alongside fire insurance (which is privately run), which is compulsory for Icelandic buildings. So now I know, and you do too!

Comments

[aunty_marion]

I've currently got about 5 different tabs for different webcams running on that having caught it about 5 minutes after it started! Plus the BobNation chat on a re-stream of the main RUV cam.

[nineveh_uk]

Ah those days of Bob!

I was about an hour late catching it, but it certainly brightened my afternoon.

[nnozomi]

Hoping you feel better soon and enjoy the volcano.
wow, Japan could use natural catastrophe insurance, that would be much more practical than the public broadcasting fee...I wonder if nobody's ever thought of it.

[nineveh_uk]

I was very puzzled for a moment there about why Japanese people paid for volcano insurance through their television licences...

Having woken up, the internet tells me that Japan has a similar scheme, except they call it earthquake insurance https://www.mof.go.jp/english/policy/financial_system/earthquake_insurance/outline_of_earthquake_insurance.html