Getting a bit worried

ramiawad

Hi All

In January our easyjet flight to the canaries was cancelled due to snow, We did eventually get out but lost half our holiday. Thomsons (who we booked the all inclusive hotel with) didnt want to know about any refund/compensation because we hadnt book a package and neither did Lloyds TSB (our holiday insurers), quoting Act of God etc. Easyjet just said forget it.

We are going to Croatia in 3 weeks, I know its early but suppose, just suppose, our easyjet flight is cancelled due to volcanic ash. I have paid out over £800 for 2 hotels there. I have no confidence in my Lloyds TSB insurance, feeling they will quote 'Act of God again'. Do you think I could take out another insurance policy or are all insurers the same? I have checked the hotel cancellation policy and think if I cancelled last minute I would lose the lot. Any advice is appreciated

Saint_Chris

there's not a lot you can do, until the ash spoils your holiday or maybe the ash doesn't.


not sure when you booked the holiday, but you need to take the insurance out at the time of booking.

callum9999

I'm rather surprised you had travel insurance that doesn't cover weather delays. If you want to know what you're covered for then you'll have to read the policy summary.

You can have as many insurance policies out as you'd like (and if the Lloyds insurance is as bad as it sounds, it's probably wise to get another policy!).

Saint_Chris wrote: »

there's not a lot you can do, until the ash spoils your holiday or maybe the ash doesn't.


not sure when you booked the holiday, but you need to take the insurance out at the time of booking.

No you don't.... You can take it out whenever you want.

Saint_Chris

<<No you don't.... You can take it out whenever you want.>>




So I could book a holiday today for jan 15th, I could take out insurance on the jan 10th and take ill on jan 12th and the insurance would pay me out because I was ill and could not go on holiday.


I didn't know that I was always lead to believe that you had to take the insurance out at the time of booking the holiday for the insurance to be valid.

maman

Saint_Chris wrote: »

<<No you don't.... You can take it out whenever you want.>>




So I could book a holiday today for jan 15th, I could take out insurance on the jan 10th and take ill on jan 12th and the insurance would pay me out because I was ill and could not go on holiday.


I didn't know that I was always lead to believe that you had to take the insurance out at the time of booking the holiday for the insurance to be valid.

I think you might be OK in the scenario you describe provided not existing condition/certified by doctor etc. I think the problem arises if you book today, take ill on 10th January and then take out insurance on 12th!

callum9999

Saint_Chris wrote: »

<<No you don't.... You can take it out whenever you want.>>




So I could book a holiday today for jan 15th, I could take out insurance on the jan 10th and take ill on jan 12th and the insurance would pay me out because I was ill and could not go on holiday.


I didn't know that I was always lead to believe that you had to take the insurance out at the time of booking the holiday for the insurance to be valid.

Yes. Though if you timed it that tight then they'd probably be suspicious - thinking that you took the insurance out after you were already ill.

I don't know where you heard that as it's definitely not the case, and never has been. The key rules are that it needs to be taken out before you leave the UK, and before the beginning of the holiday (generally the same dates). It's beneficial however to take out insurance as soon as possible as, unless it's an annual policy, you'd be paying the same anyway and you'd be covered for scenarios like the one you described.

C_Mababejive

Bardabunga is coughing at the moment and has been since August. I was in Iceland recently and the locals didnt seem to concerned. I think you will be alright. The medias do love a good eruption. Loved a T shirt in Keflavik airport "We dont have cash bit we've got ash !"

PeacefulWaters

Saint_Chris wrote: »

So I could book a holiday today for jan 15th, I could take out insurance on the jan 10th and take ill on jan 12th and the insurance would pay me out because I was ill and could not go on holiday.

If you broke your leg on Christmas Day and couldn't fly it would be tough.

The premium is no cheaper by taking insurance out late in the day. So why take additional risk of loss by not having cover from the time of booking?

You may have had a different Lloyds policy to this one but I'd have expected them to pay out your delayed departure claim unless I've missed something on pages 26/27.