The Land of Fire and Ice has rightfully earned its name by having forces of nature that can rival any country on Earth. When these forces, things like sand and ash protection in Iceland are put into place to safeguard locals and visitors.
But what is sand and ash protection in Iceland, and why is it important? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about it and then some. Read on to find out why this is important to consider on your next trip to Iceland.
What is Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP), and Why is it Important?
The most common misconception is that the sand and ash protection in Iceland is put in place in case you drive through a field of violently erupting volcanoes. You know, like in a movie. The good news is that it’s a very unlikely scenario. The bad news is that you can still get bombarded by sand and ash, even if it isn’t hurled from Earth’s homemade ash canons.
The sand and ash protection (SAAP) is there to insure your rented campervan or motorhome in case it gets damaged by any of the sand or volcanic ash that is (literally) all over Iceland. As you might have figured out by now, this is one of the camper and car insurances in Iceland worth having when you galivant around the Land of Fire and Ice.
Understanding Iceland’s Volcanic Landscapes and Weather Risks
The sand and ash protection in Iceland is important even when there are no volcanic eruptions in the making. This is a volcanic island, and the ground is literally made of the stuff, so it’s not surprising that some insurance might be in order.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of picking up basalt volcanic rock, you’ll notice that it has two very distinct characteristics: it’s light and sharp. These two qualities are cool unless you happen to drive a rental car when the wind is picking up. When the lightweight volcanic rock erodes down to sand-sized particles, a lot of it is still sharp, and when it gets picked up by the wind, it can cause some serious damage to the exterior of a car.
What Does SAAP Cover That Other Insurances Don’t?
If you would be on the receiving end of something like that, the sand and ash protection in Iceland will take good care of you. Otherwise, you might sit with the cost of having to repaint an entire car, which tends to damper the holiday.
The SAAP came to life when the need to cover this particular type of damage started to become apparent. The normal insurance didn’t know how to deal with “what if a sandstorm kicks up and starts stripping paint from a car?” so instead of completely rewriting any already established insurance, the sand and ash protection in Iceland was created. The SAAP will cover any damage to your vehicle by sand or ash.
When Do You Need Sand and Ash Protection?
To be completely honest, there is no time of year when you don’t need it, but it is highly recommended from April to September when the winds tend to blow harder.
The only situation you wouldn’t need SAAP is if you decide to drive around Reykjavik and not leave the city. That way, you’ll run a minimal risk of having any sand or ash damaging your vehicle. In any other instance, sand and ash protection in Iceland is a good idea.
The High-Risk Seasons: Spring and Summer Explained
The spring in Iceland is one of the most prominent seasons for running into sand and ash trouble. This is a season when the Icelandic weather is changing rapidly, and you’re very likely to encounter hard winds that can whip up a sandstorm. Even though the ground might be wet, the wind can be strong enough to render the need for sand and ash protection in Iceland.
The summer in Iceland is another season when you’re at risk of getting into trouble. Even though the weather is generally much calmer, this is the time of year when you’re more likely to be traveling in the areas where the sandstorms occur. The summer is also the dryest time of year, so the winds don’t need to be as strong to hurl sand at your rental car.
Specific Zones in Iceland Where SAAP is Essential
Sandstorms tend to kick up in many parts of the country, but the most prominent areas are the Icelandic Highlands and the south coast.
Since you will only be traveling the highlands in the summer, this is one of the reasons why you’ll need sand and ash protection in Iceland that time of year. Grass helps keep the sand and ash in place in some areas, but the rest of the highlands will have open season on rental cars.
The south coast of Iceland is a long stretch of the country with large patches of volcanic sand. This is the most popular area to see the Icelandic Black Sand Beaches and one of the most common areas to get a taste of why sand and ash protection in Iceland is necessary. The wind coming in from the North Atlantic is often more than enough for a small sandstorm.
Assessing Risk During Winter Travel
The winter in Iceland is well-known for being a time when strong winds blow over the country, so surely, this must be a time when SAAP is necessary?
Luckily, it’s not that simple. The winter is generally a wet season, so most of the sand will be too heavy to attack cars on the Ring Road. The winds are still pretty harsh, though, so if you are out and about on the roads in areas where there hasn’t been much rain or snow, you’ll run the risk of getting some damage. Most of the time, the ground will either be wet or frozen, so the risk will be low.
Campervan-Specific Challenges with Sand and Ash Damage
As avid lovers of exploring Iceland in a camper, we’ve come to realize that we are (unfortunately) not immune to the angry sand cannons. When you’re in the risk zones, you’re in the risk zones, regardless of what you drive. The sand and ash protection in Iceland is a necessity as a campervan-explorer.
Why Campervans Are More Vulnerable to Wind and Sand Damage
The spacious and borderline luxurious interior of a campervan also means that you’ll have a large surface area on the outside. This essentially means that you’ll be an even larger target for the wind-borne paint stripper, and you’ll be thankful for the sand and ash protection in Iceland.
Tips for Parking and Driving Safely in Risk Zones
When you’re on the road, and the wind starts picking up, it’s easy to simply drive out of the area and avoid the trouble. But it’s a different ballgame when you’ve parked the car and started seeing sand devils in the making.
To avoid that lump in the stomach, always park in towns and cities when the wind starts to howl when you’re in the risk zone. The buildings will act as natural barriers for your vehicle, and you’ll be less likely to be on the receiving end of a bad day.
How to Protect Your Campervan from Sand and Ash Damage
Even though sand and ash protection in Iceland will take care of you if you run into trouble, it’s always better for everyone to avoid the trouble altogether. To reduce risk, you should keep an eye on the road and weather and take the necessary precautions.
Monitoring Weather Conditions and Road Alerts
The wind is the villain in this story, so the more you know about the weather, the better. The Icelandic Met Office Website has all the information you need to make wise decisions on the road, so keep an eye on it as you go.
Using Road.is and Other Helpful Tools for Travelers
Iceland takes road safety very seriously, and they have long been developing the tools to ensure that everyone can make safe decisions. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration has an interactive map on its website with all the latest information about road conditions. This is one of the best tools for avoiding trouble on the road.
Practical Precautions to Reduce Risk During Your Journey
In general, the best advice anyone can give is to stay away from high-risk areas and don’t visit arid areas on windy days. This can be hard to do when you’re driving the F-roads in Iceland. In those cases, try to figure out where you can get protected from the wind if you start seeing a sandstorm forming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sand and Ash Protection in Iceland
Below are some common questions on the subject:
Is SAAP Worth the Extra Cost?
We would always opt for the SAAP despite the extra cost. It’s cheaper to get sand and ash protection in Iceland than to cover the cost of not having it if you get into trouble. The SAAP will cost a maximum of 90,000 ISK, whilst the damage done can be up to 1,500,000 ISK.
Can You Add SAAP to Your Campervan Rental After Booking?
If you want to add sand and ash protection in Iceland after you’ve booked, you’ll have to get the car assessed by the renter before you can get the insurance. It’s usually not a problem to do it this way.
What Should You Do If a Sandstorm Hits While Driving?
If a sandstorm hits you while driving, the best thing to do is to drive slowly and stop at the nearest parking area. The limited visibility makes it a very accident-prone situation, and it’s not worth saving the paint of the car if you have an accident on the road.
Why Sand and Ash Protection is Essential for Campervan Travelers
As a visitor to this stunning island, it’s hard to be fully prepared for what might happen on the road. The sand and ash protection in Iceland is one of the things that are unique to the country and well worth the upfront cost for peace of mind. When you drive a campervan, you’re essentially a bigger target with less chance of escaping in case you get unlucky, so it’s even more essential.
The sand and ash protection in Iceland is there to ensure that you won’t get stuck with the bill in case the weather takes the wrong turn, which it often does. So, buy yourself peace of mind when you rent a motorhome in Iceland and go for the SAAP.
