With the Australian bushfires having affected a huge number of people and millions of animals, it’s no wonder travellers are having second thoughts about visiting — prompting travel insurance comparison site Compare Travel Insurance to encourage travellers to contact their providers over changes in their plans.

Natalie Ball, director of Compare Travel Insurance, said that people who took out a comprehensive travel insurance policy before news about the Australian bushfires became widespread might be able to claim for cancellation.

“[Such a policy] would give you provision to claim if you were unable to reach your planned destination or if your accommodation was uninhabitable due to the bushfires. However, travellers are encouraged to contact their travel providers before changing their plans outrightly,” Ball said, as reported by Stuff.co.nz.

“If your travel provider is unwilling to refund or change your dates of travel, insurers would then assess your need to claim. Take note that your travels would have to have been directly affected by the bushfires in order to claim. Wishing to cancel a trip due to loss of enjoyment or change of heart would not be covered by travel insurance.”

Read more: Australia travel advisory upgraded amid bushfires

Meanwhile, tourism officials in Australia confirmed that the country still welcomes tourists — with many of the most frequently visited cities still free from the devastating wildfires.

“While bushfires continue to impact parts of Australia, many areas are unaffected and most tourism businesses are still open,” Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said. “It is more important than ever that we rally around our communities and the tourism sector who may have been impacted.

“Most tourist destinations in Australia remain safe and continue to welcome visitors. However, Kangaroo Island has been severely devastated by the fires, including Southern Ocean Lodge, a luxury resort on the island which has been destroyed by the fires.”