Travel insurance company being unreasonable? Please help

James_Bond

Hi there,

I recently submitted a claim to my travel insurance company regarding my passport that was damaged in a bar. However, I am still outside the UK so applying for a new passport is almost double the cost than it is applying from the UK.

Upon submitting my claim, my travel insurance company demanded that I showed them proof that I have returned to the Uk already as my policy expirered just 2 weeks after my claim. However, after stating that they were wrong to demand this when it is clear in their policy wording that the insurance expires regardless, they seem to have backed down.

However, before they decide to 'process' my claim they are demanding that I pay for a new passport in advance then send them a receipt. Can they do this? I have already provided them evidence of how much a new passport would cost , and do not want to pay in advance incase they reject my claim.... Leaving me out of pocket.

I may still be able to travel in my damaged passport, but obviously want a new one as I paid for expensive insurance to cover me. I do not want to end up in a situation where I pay for a damaged passport, then they reject my claim afterwards. Nowhere in their policy wording does it state that the policy holder must pay in advance for lost/stolen/damaged goods, and then reclaim the money.

Are they being reasonable? If they decide to hold off processing my claim, can I still take it to the ombudsman?

Many thanks in advance for any replies.
(Policy wording below)


Acesecure.co.uk/common/docs/en/policywording/2008/ACE_UK_Traveller_PolicyWo rding_2008(d).pdf

vaio

you have a duty to mitigate your costs so if your passport is intact enough to use for travel then you should use it and get a cheap replacement back in the UK

Also, lots of travel insurance policies are invalid if they don't cover your entire holiday so if you only buy two weeks insurance for a four week holiday you end up with no cover at all rather than cover for the first two weeks.

InsideInsurance

Likewise there is no obligation for an insurer to pay up front

Quentin

Until you have a loss you have nothing to claim for.

If your passport is no good you are going to have to buy a new one irrespective of whether or not they pay for it aren't you?