Barclays Travel Insurance

Lamarr

This is the first time that I have posted a message although I have read many, however I just wanted to warn others.

I know that bank accounts with charges are completely against Martin's recommendations and often meant to change but never got round to it. I have a Barclays Additions account and amongst other 'benefits' have annual travel insurance included.

When I first received the policy I studied the small print trying to think of the various times I might need travel insurance & it seeemed a reasonable cover. However one situation that I hadn't thought of happened:

In July I was due to fly to Ecuador from Manchester, I arrived at Manchester Airport with passports, tickets, luggage etc; we checked in & went through passport control. Before we boarded the plane my passport was stolen (pickpocketed) & cutting a long story short we had to return home a few hours later having not left the ground.

When I contacted the insurance company an hour or so later; I was informed that the policy did not cover cancellation due to passports - 'it was my responsibility' I was told 'to look after my own passport'. One reason given then was that because we had not left the UK I was not on holiday & I could have left it at home. I pointed out that I had gone through passport control with my passport, but to no avail.

After managing to replace my passport we left a few days later & I contacted Barclays with the insurance document to be told that of course passports were covered; until on further clarification the point of view from Barclays seems to be that passports are not covered at all whether stolen at the airport or abroad!

As I used to be a travel rep whilst at University, I know that passports are lost / stolen more frequently than people think & that it can be expensive to obtain replacements. So it might be worth checking your insurance policy before travelling ...

Heinz

How long have you been paying that (wasted) £7.50 per month then?

And the first time it might have been worth it, you discovered it wasn't.

Are you going to move that account now? If so, A&L 's Premier Direct account is Martin's current recommendation.