Travel Insurance Be Warned

devon_scouse

HI

Went into travel agents at the weekend First Choice. Asked them if I was covered for safari? They replied yes, as the policy I have is the only one they deal with. Then informed them that I had spoken to the insurance company and they had said I was not covered.



This came as a shock too the agent who said leave it with me and will phone you back Monday.



True to her word she phoned me back to day and said sorry you are NOT COVERED by the policy we have sold you. However for additional £80 you will be that was on top of the £60 already paid and excess is £250.

Needless to say I declined there offer and asked for my money back and found insurance else where.



So those of you going on or thinking of going on safari please check your insurance before you go.

whitts

that is so bad they did't know, travel agents have to take an exam to be able to sell insurance. Thank goodness you have found out before you travelled. Have a nice holiday

17Dave

This highlights the need to always check the policy document for cover and exclusions.
I know it's a pain but never trust a sale persons word, they're probably on commission remember.

devon_scouse

Best bit is I actually booked holiday and safari with them.So you would of thought that agent would be aware of requirements

dmg24

whitts wrote: »

that is so bad they did't know, travel agents have to take an exam to be able to sell insurance. Thank goodness you have found out before you travelled. Have a nice holiday

Do they? My friend has worked in an agency (part of a large chain) for over ten years, and has never taken an exam.

The was a documentary on some time ago about travel agents selling insurance, and the fact that a) it was terrible value, and b) agents rarely asked whether the traveller had pre existing conditions etc. I can't remember any stats, but many of those that took out cover found that they had either minimal or no cover at all.

whitts

I thought that insurance through travel agents was ruled under the fsa, i think there is a deadline date where everyone has to take the exam, i am quiet certain that , the big 4 first choice/thomson and going places/thomas cook have taken this exam.

dmg24

whitts wrote: »

I thought that insurance through travel agents was ruled under the fsa, i think there is a deadline date where everyone has to take the exam, i am quiet certain that , the big 4 first choice/thomson and going places/thomas cook have taken this exam.

Lots of thinking there, but no definitive answers. Could you find something more definite please? I am genuinely interested.

whitts

dmg24 wrote: »

Lots of thinking there, but no definitive answers. Could you find something more definite please? I am genuinely interested.

just googled fsa and this is what it say, I know thomas cook retail staff have had to sit this exam and they are not allowed to sell insurance unless they pass

What isn't covered by our rules?

We regulate sales of most insurance products. However, our selling rules don’t currently cover:
travel insurance sold in connection with travel arrangements where the person selling the insurance is also arranging the travel (but they will from 1 January 2009)

hope this has come across ok as i am new to all of this

crowlands

Well I am glad that travel agents are coming under the fsa ruling. I work in a bank and we have to take ICOB (insurance conduct of business) training every year if we even mention the word 'INSURANCE' to customers. Siounds like Thomas Cook have got their act togeth though

dmg24

whitts wrote: »

just googled fsa and this is what it say, I know thomas cook retail staff have had to sit this exam and they are not allowed to sell insurance unless they pass

What isn't covered by our rules?

We regulate sales of most insurance products. However, our selling rules don’t currently cover:
travel insurance sold in connection with travel arrangements where the person selling the insurance is also arranging the travel (but they will from 1 January 2009)

hope this has come across ok as i am new to all of this

This may be why my friend is looking for a new job then - she doesn't do exams!

However, I can't see how they can strictly enforce the rule. All you will need is one person in each branch qualified, and they will just sign off those bookings that have travel insurance included. In practice, those that are not authorised to do so will still be selling the policy to the traveller (and there is still a lot of time for everybody to missell before January!).

As you can tell, I don't have a high opinion of travel agents (my friend excepted, of course!), in my experience they are very good at upselling and useless at offering value for money.

Goes back to searching for next freebie diy holiday ...