Hurricane Ike - Is it safe to visit Cuba?

Paulee

My 20 year old daughter was due to fly to Cuba last Wednesday for a three week holiday with two friends. She suffers from Type I diabetes and although this is generally fairly well controlled her condition is badly affected by stressfull situations. If things got really bad in Cuba she could find herself in a very difficult position made worse by her "reckless"(?) decision to go.

After carefully considering the worsening weather conditions in the area she decided not to go, a decision that (as parents) we were very relieved by and one that now seems even more sensible given the latest news about hurricane Ike this morning.

She has travel insurance through Lloyds TSB, underwritten by AXA and has contacted them to see if she was able to reclaim at least some of her holiday costs back. She does accept that it was her decision to cancel her holiday and she was also aware that it was the hurricane season in Cuba at this time of year. They have told her that she cannot claim for any expenses. Does anyone have a view on this, please?

Kez100

Don't you need a medical certificate to be able to claim on insurance for that sort of thing?

Also, my Lloyds TSB insurance (free with my banking) requires pre-advising them of all conditions (apart from a list they give you of minor complaints). Is her medical problem on that list or was it pre-advised to them?

Paulee

Thanks Kez, you are quite correct. We have the same Lloyds policy as you and advised them of her condition when she used to be included on our policy. She also made this clear when she took out her own insurance. In fact, Lloyds TSB were very good about this and didn't try to use her medical condition as a way of creating additional revenue, as some insurance companies tend to do in these circumstances!

Having said that, I feel that it isn't really all down to her having a medical condition. The destination area was looking inceasingly risky, as is now proving to be the case. I am very relieved that she isn't there and it could be argued as being foolhardy to have gone. After all, as a sailor, I wouldn't venture out of harbour with a severe weatherforecast iminent.

donny_osmonds_mad_fan

I guess what they could say is, she had an underlying condition (did they know this?) and she booked a holiday to an area she knew may suffer from this kind of weather at that time of the year...yes she most likely did the sensible thing but i think they may well use the well you knew this and that before and still you took the chance to book etc.

She may well be able to get unused taxes from her flight back through the airline company as they are chargable once you have flown and she didnt.

Paulee

Thanks Donny, the tax issue is worth investigating.

talullah

Really good decision your daughter didn't go.

I have friends there, they were due to fly home tomorrow, which the flight has been cancelled.

They have been told they have to stay in their bathroom in their hotel room and not move, that is it!!!!!! quite scarey. It is hitting CUBA midnight our time tonight.

Hoping they will be ok

Paulee

Thanks Talullah, I hope they are okay, Paul.

Diamond_Olly

The Foreign Office are advising against all but essential travel to Cuba - this usually means that tour operators cancel all holidays and refund monies paid. Best to contact the tour operator she's booked through for advice. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/cuba

Paulee

Thanks for your advice Olly, I'll let you know how I get on.

stenner

Paulee wrote: »

Thanks for your advice Olly, I'll let you know how I get on.

my husband and I should be travelling tomorrow (10th) to Cuba. With the current situation we don't feel that we should go........ I have read on the FCO website "we currently advise against all but essential travel to Cuba" does this mean that we can get out money back. I am a little confused as I have been told by Virgin that I can't.

stenner

Does any one have advice please