Am I entitled to a refund for a guides trip?

real_world

I can think of only one reason why they wouldn't be able to transfer the place but I'm not sure if this would apply in your case. If the camp your daughter is going on is a large multi unit camp. Then all the children will need to be registered before hand. It's very likely that the organizers wouldn't let a swap happen at this late stage however I would think they probably would have allowed it a few months ago.

If this isn't the case I would ask the unit for more clarification as to why a swap can't be done.

wealdroam

peachyprice wrote: »

Beacuse they've boooked a holiday on behalf of OP. Would you book a holiday without taking out insurance that meant you weren't covered if you couldn't travel due to injury?

My interpretation is that 'they' are supplying a holiday to the OP's child.

If this is the case, it is for the OP (or his/her child) to take out insurance to cover the possibility of cancellation.

peachyprice

wealdroam wrote: »

My interpretation is that 'they' are supplying a holiday to the OP's child.

If this is the case, it is for the OP (or his/her child) to take out insurance to cover the possibility of cancellation.

Not really, Guides are the organisers of the the trip and are as such the lead name making the booking for the group.

I'm very surprised that bookings for UK Guide holidays don't include cancellation insurance due to injury, it's something I will take into consideration before parting with several hundreds of pounds in the future.

It certainly isn't something you're made aware of at the time of booking, you're told you cant get a refund if your daughter changes her mind and you're told they have a comprehensive insurance policy. For trips outside the UK cancellation insurance is included.

Dimey

How strange the Guides are coming over so inflexible. I reckon it's worth you going to the top. Maybe your local Guide leader isn't as au fait as she should be.

Given that you've offered to supply a replacement in plenty of time to change the paperwork and they've refused, how can they then justify hanging on to your money especially as they claim they have no insurance company rules to follow.

If you do get this resolved at the top I suggest you ask for a copy of any insurance they do have so you can supply to the replacement parents. Then the parents have the opportunity to top up with their own insurance for any inadequacies.

You'd think the Guides of all people would be spot on with insurance.

peachyprice

I thought it didn't sound right that there is no insurance. They do do it.

Section 9 – Disruption (cancellation or curtailment)

We will pay:
Up to £1,000 for loss of deposits, or charges, or advance
payments for travel or accommodation or other charges which
have not or will not be used, but which become forfeit or
payable under contract for any one Trip if You are forced to
cancel any part of a planned Trip prior to the commencement of
that Trip as the direct and necessary result of any cause outside
Your control or that of the Group Policyholder.
THIS INCLUDES:
1. You cancelling a Trip because the British Foreign and
Commonwealth Office advises British nationals against all
travel to the country or territory that is the destination of
the Trip. For latest travel advices please refer to the British
Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website:
https://www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
2. Up to £1,000 for loss of deposits, or charges, or advance
payments for travel or accommodation or other charges
which have not or will not be used, but which become
forfeit or payable under contract for any one Trip if You are
forced to curtail or alter the itinerary of any part of a
planned Trip during the course of that Trip as a direct and
necessary result of any cause outside Your control or that of the Group Policyholder.

http://www.guidinginsurance.co.uk/ukcamp_insurance.html
http://www.guidinginsurance.co.uk/pdfs/travel_booklet_guides.pdf

OP, did you unit choose not to take out this insurance?

Dimey

Well found Peachy Price.

If the unit didn't sign up to the group insurance they could be trying to cover up the omission by pretending OP can't claim.

Oh err.

Edit- maybe OP should just make her claim straight to the insurance co and log the date she originally reported the medical emergency to the local leader.

tinkerbell28

I think people are forgetting. Scouts and guides are not for profit charities.

All the places get booked by them with the county. Lots of stuff is put in place, h&s, safe guarding kids, etc. Numbers are quite precise. Which is why people have to confirm do early and cannot get on late. It is all very complicated.

Guides will have insurance, it won't cover parents cancelling their child's trip. It will cancel the GROUP. Not individual parents pulling their child of the trip for whatever reason. It will cover things like, so and so hurting herself on camp, or whilst in their care, etc, etc.

The thing is, the guide group would have confirmed and paid now. So that £120 for a cancelled place would be coming out of the group money anyway.If they refunded you.

It is always made crystal clear to parents who book their kids on camp. After a certain date, no other child can get on, places paid well in advance.

Some groups will as a good will gesture refund in cases like this, not all though. As it sets a precedent, of parents trying to cancel for all sorts. The thing is once they've paid all the camp, transport activities. That loss of refund comes out of their own pocket. Which has a knock on effect with the group and activities/subs.

wealdroam

peachyprice wrote: »

wealdroam wrote: »

My interpretation is that 'they' are supplying a holiday to the OP's child.

If this is the case, it is for the OP (or his/her child) to take out insurance to cover the possibility of cancellation.

Not really, Guides are the organisers of the the trip and are as such the lead name making the booking for the group.

I'm very surprised that bookings for UK Guide holidays don't include cancellation insurance but to injury, it's something I will take into consideration before parting with several hundreds of pounds in the future.

It certainly isn't something you're made aware of at the time of booking, you're told you cant get a refund if your daughter changes her mind and you're told they have a comprehensive insurance policy. For trips outside the UK cancellation insurance is included.

I am not sure it really matters exactly who is supplying what to who.

The significant point is that the OP has outlayed some money and therefore is the one taking the risk.
Harsh it may be, but if his/her child cannot attend for no fault of the organisers, it is the OP that must suffer the loss.

Dimey

tinkerbell28 wrote: »

I think people are forgetting. Scouts and guides are not for profit charities.

All the places get booked by them with the county. Lots of stuff is put in place, h&s, safe guarding kids, etc. Numbers are quite precise. Which is why people have to confirm do early and cannot get on late. It is all very complicated.

Guides will have insurance, it won't cover parents cancelling their child's trip. It will cancel the GROUP. Not individual parents pulling their child of the trip for whatever reason. It will cover things like, so and so hurting herself on camp, or whilst in their care, etc, etc.

The thing is, the guide group would have confirmed and paid now. So that £120 for a cancelled place would be coming out of the group money anyway.If they refunded you.

It is always made crystal clear to parents who book their kids on camp. After a certain date, no other child can get on, places paid well in advance.

Some groups will as a good will gesture refund in cases like this, not all though. As it sets a precedent, of parents trying to cancel for all sorts. The thing is once they've paid all the camp, transport activities. That loss of refund comes out of their own pocket. Which has a knock on effect with the group and activities/subs.

OK but that doesn't explain why they won't let the OP supply a replacement when they've had over 2 weeks notice to change the paperwork. That way no one loses out.

tinkerbell28

Dimey wrote: »

OK but that doesn't explain why they won't let the OP supply a replacement when they've had over 2 weeks notice to change the paperwork. That way no one loses out.

2nd paragraph. I really can't be going into it all now. It's all red tape and at district level not group level.