Cancelling holiday - advice on insurance claim

jb1305

Hi, my boyfriend and I were due to travel to Mexico on Saturday. Unfortunately he has been ill with a stomach bug since Monday and it got so bad last night that we ended up in a&e. We visited the doctor again today and were advised not to travel, the doctor in a&e also advised the same last night. We have taken their advice and decided to cancel.

We have separate insurance policies and both are covered for cancellation due to illness. I'm worried that we'll not get anything back from our insurance companies as they may see it as just a 'stomach bug' but we have now been advised by two doctors not to travel. We'll be contacting them tomorrow and have been advised by the doctors surgery that we submit our forms to them and they will complete advising of my boyfriends illness.

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of claiming for something like this? We're obviously pretty upset, but his health is a priority.

travelgran

I'd get the medical name for the "stomach bug" and use that name when you talk to the company. Most insurance companies will not cover you, at least for medical expenses, if you are travelling against doctor's advice any way.
We needed a medical letter to cancel because of our daughter's sudden illness and had no problem. The doctor will charge for the letters and that seems to vary from practice to practice.

jb1305

Thank you. He is going to the doctors again tomorrow to get a medical letter advising that he is unfit for travel. After that he will contact the travel agent to cancel the holiday then we will contact our insurers. We are hopeful that as he had to visit a&e this will further highlight that he is not well enough to travel.

We made the decision tonight to cancel as my boyfriend had originally intended to wait until Friday to see if he improves but we realise it is sensible to follow the doctors advice.

The main thing is that he gets better but it would be nice if we did not lose all our money.

Bob_the_Saver

Sorry the whole holiday has gone down the pan, as it were - just read all the small print BEFORE putting in a claim.

jimd-f

We have separate insurance policies and both are covered for cancellation due to illness.

this bit worries me.
you will need to check on both policies what exactly is covered.
if you just have a policy for yourself then you may well find that your insurance company will not pay out as you are not ill!
you will need to check that your boyfriends policy covers you, even though you have not been named on, or paid a premium for that.

jb1305

My policy does cover me if a travelling companion is unwell and the holiday has to be cancelled as a result- I already checked this in the small print.

jb1305

We are relieved we cancelled the holiday as my boyfriend ended up spending a week in hospital as it turned out to be more serious than a stomach bug. He's getting better now but we are so grateful that we didn't go as being in hospital on holiday would have been a nightmare.

Both of our insurance companies processed our claims quickly and are paying out the full cost of the holiday which is good. The companies were extremely helpful. My insurance was with Bank of Scotland through my account and I was really pleased with the high level of service.

To be honest, the insurance claim was the last thing on our minds but is a welcomed bonus. I am just so grateful that my boyfriend is getting better.

Bob_the_Saver

jb1305 wrote: »

We are relieved we cancelled the holiday as my boyfriend ended up spending a week in hospital as it turned out to be more serious than a stomach bug. He's getting better now but we are so grateful that we didn't go as being in hospital on holiday would have been a nightmare.

Both of our insurance companies processed our claims quickly and are paying out the full cost of the holiday which is good. The companies were extremely helpful. My insurance was with Bank of Scotland through my account and I was really pleased with the high level of service.

To be honest, the insurance claim was the last thing on our minds but is a welcomed bonus. I am just so grateful that my boyfriend is getting better.

Thanks for letting us know, glad he's on the mend.

peachyprice

It's good to hear of an insurance company doing exactly what it's supposed to do, well done.

I hope he recovers soon.