Sand and Ash Protection in Iceland: Do You Need It for Your Camper Trip?

The Land of Fire and Ice promises visitors dramatic landscapes and contrasting terrain, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that traversing terrain such as this might come with certain risks to a vehicle you may not necessarily be used to back home. And, while we have certain mandatory insurance coverage included in our rental packages, there is additional insurance coverage, such as Sand and Ash Protection, that may be crucial to your specific planned route.

This article explains exactly what Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) is and helps you decide whether you’ll need it for your planned camper trip around the island. Our goal is to keep you safe, save you money, and ultimately have you experience Iceland for the incredible adventure it is.

What is Sand and Ash Protection Insurance in Iceland?

Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) is an optional and additional insurance cover that can be taken out on your rental camper here in Iceland. While our standard (and mandatory) insurance typically covers you for major incidents such as accidents or theft, certain things are excluded.

Sand and Ash Protection is there to cover you for one such exclusion. It covers any damage caused to the vehicle’s body by, you guessed it, sand and ash. This may sound a bit silly to you since we are dealing with a country called Iceland. But we can assure you that our legendary winds can really clobber a car like a sandblaster once it picks up sand and ash, and it can cause extensive damage. Therefore, your SAAP generally covers:

• Paint damage to the body of the vehicle.
• Any scratches or cracks in the vehicle’s windows (including the windshield).
• Damage to the headlights.
• Damage to the rims.
• Damage to the plastic parts of the vehicle’s body.
• Clogged filters or vents. 

*Needless to say, SAAP only covers you for the above-mentioned if it’s a direct result of sand and ash.

Since not having SAAP and repairs for damages like the above-mentioned can easily leave you between 500 000 ISK (+/-$3 766.76) and 1 500 000 ISK (+/-$11 300.29) out of pocket, we really recommend playing it safe rather than sorry.

Why Is Sand and Ash Protection Important for Camper Rentals?

When individuals plan on renting a vehicle in Iceland, we usually suggest SAAP if they plan on traveling on our unpaved gravel roads or exploring our coastlines. But, in the case of camper rentals, we highly recommend getting SAAP because of the following reasons:

• Campers are bigger. This means a much larger exposed surface area, which increases the risk of damage.
• Campers usually mean longer road trips and camping. This means extended periods of being out in nature and being exposed to the elements compared to a rental car that one would park in the hotel parking spot or somewhere in an urban parking lot.
• Challenges finding shelter. You won’t find many covered parking bays or sudden shelters while out on your road trip adventure. This means there’s not really escaping the barrage of sand and ash once the winds or a storm hits.

What to Check in Your Rental Insurance Policy

Campervan rental insurance in Iceland can be confusing, especially when it comes to added extras like SAAP. So, please make extensive inquiries before you make your booking. Ask your rental agent precisely what insurance is included in your rental package and whether SAAP is one of them. Besides all the add-on insurance options, also ask about coverage limits and excess amounts.

When and Where Are Sandstorms Most Common in Iceland?

Iceland is not the Sahara desert where one experiences sandstorms almost daily, and we’re also not some sort of apocalyptic world covered in darkness and ash due to non-stop volcanic eruptions.

But sand and ash storms can happen, and with our volatile weather and legendary wind speeds, any remnants of past sand and ash storms can quickly turn into a new problem. That being said, there are a few ways to prepare and avoid these occurrences:

Avoid High-Risk Months for Sand and Ash Storms

If you’d like to lower your risk for any potential sand and ash damage, you should avoid the following months when planning your trip:

• February to April (our spring) – The melting snow and ice of our harsh winter season loosens sand and ash. Add the higher wind speeds during this time, and you’ve got a damage risk combo! In fact, this period is literally referred to as the Sand and Ash period!
• June to August (our summer) – This is perhaps a bit misleading because it’s really just the areas and regions with sparse vegetation that pose a higher risk during this time if the winds pick up.

Avoid Key Danger Zones Along Iceland’s Roads

The following areas are at a higher risk of sand and ash damage:

• The South Coast – known for its outstretched beaches, so it’s no surprise that this region has made it onto this list.
• Areas around active volcanoes – Eyjafjallajökull, Katla, you name it; it’s pretty obvious why these areas pose a higher risk.
• Other regions with ash deposits after past eruptions – Here, we’re talking about both past and current. This includes places like our lava fields or areas surrounding the latest eruptions in and around Grindavik.

Avoid Certain Weather Conditions

Needless to say, if you spot any sandstorm or other storm warnings, it’s best to avoid the area and get to safety. The same goes for any weather predictions of wind speeds over 24 kilometers per hour (15 miles per hour). Keep an eye on the Vedur website for any weather forecasts and updates.

How to Protect Your Camper from Sand and Ash Damage

Except for avoiding specific areas or weather conditions, there are also other ways that you can protect your camper from sand and ash damage:

Smart Driving Tips to Minimize Risk

The way you drive can also cause sand and ash damage, so:

• Don’t drive too close to other vehicles when traveling on unpaved roads. It’s easy for their vehicles to pick up debris and then have it hit your vehicle because you’re too close.
• Be extra careful and drive slower when driving through high-risk areas or during windy conditions.
• Wherever you park or camp overnight, try to park behind some barriers or shelters, whether hills, walls, rocks, or bushes.

Doing the Right Things When You Get Caught in a Sandstorm

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, you still manage to get caught in a sandstorm. Then it all boils down to you, whether you have any damage or to what extent you’ll have damage. The following are the right ways of dealing with a sandstorm:

• If visibility goes, it’s time to pull off the road (yes, even though it’s technically illegal to park on the side of the road here in Iceland).
• See if you can find any shelter. Whether it is actual undercover parking or just something like a bushy area or a boulder that might shield you a bit.
• Immediately assess the damage once the sandstorm subsides. This is not just the exterior; be sure to check the mechanical components as well. This is very important when it comes to insurance claims, as there’s a specific window in which claims can be made.

Is Sand and Ash Insurance Worth It?

If you’re planning on road-tripping in a camper in Iceland, Sand and Ash Protection is an absolute must. When it comes to costs, paying an excess of roughly 90,000 ISK (+/-$676.28) vs up to 1,500,000 ISK (+/-$11 300.29) out of pocket is also a no-brainer. So, ultimately, SAAP is really an investment in your own peace of mind.

Be Proactive On Your Iceland Adventure

As you can see, SAAP is an absolute must when it comes to campervan travel here in Iceland. By being proactive and having these measures in place, you don’t need to constantly worry whenever the wind starts blowing, you’re cruising along the coast, or heading into volcanic areas – SAAP has got you covered. 

So, you can rent a camper in Iceland with the ultimate peace of mind, hit the road, stress less, and enjoy your road trip adventure in the Land of Fire and Ice!