Advised not to fly 2 weeks before holidays - please help!

pollypenny

I just cannot believe people don't insure their holiday!

Sorry, not much sympathy.

KatieDee

I think the OP gets the point about insurance now...

How awful for your friend. You could ask her to speak to the holiday provider and see if changes can be made to those travelling in the hope that it could be sold on - as others have pointed out, it would be better to get some money back than none at all!

Unfortunately, I think all the best ideas have already been covered in the answers given so far. I cannot see the company refunding. I hope she manages to get some kind of positive outcome.

callum9999

I'm frankly amazed that people keep posting these stories, what with most of the posters on here having an almost cult-like obsession with travel insurance! There's no need to act so superior and get on your high horses - a simple "there's nothing that can be done" would suffice... Though as Voyager2002 points out, pushing for a goodwill gesture can sometimes get you something back - it costs nothing to ask.

(And before I'm jumped on too, I agree that it's wise to buy travel insurance at the time - I just don't share the "if you don't do what's best - sod you" mentality many on here have)

melb

perhaps your friend has insurance through another source - eg via their bank account or via trade union membership

maman

callum9999 wrote: »

I'm frankly amazed that people keep posting these stories, what with most of the posters on here having an almost cult-like obsession with travel insurance! There's no need to act so superior and get on your high horses - a simple "there's nothing that can be done" would suffice... Though as Voyager2002 points out, pushing for a goodwill gesture can sometimes get you something back - it costs nothing to ask.

(And before I'm jumped on too, I agree that it's wise to buy travel insurance at the time - I just don't share the "if you don't do what's best - sod you" mentality many on here have)

I agree that some posters can be a bit curt but they're only trying to reinforce the message about insurance being essential. You wouldn't think there would be many out there who didn't know but obviously there are.

callum9999

maman wrote: »

I agree that some posters can be a bit curt but they're only trying to reinforce the message about insurance being essential. You wouldn't think there would be many out there who didn't know but obviously there are.

Of course they aren't - they're revelling in having superior knowledge. There is a distinct difference between "reinforcing the message about insurance being essential" and being rude.

zagfles

Definitely worth writing to them, goodwill gestures are very common, I've lost count of the number of times I've had them. Though I don't tend to do packages (they've been mainly from hotels eg if I couldn't make it/wanted to change dates etc).

zagfles

callum9999 wrote: »

Of course they aren't - they're revelling in having superior knowledge. There is a distinct difference between "reinforcing the message about insurance being essential" and being rude.

It's an oversimplified message anyway. Up till a couple of years ago I never had specific travel insurance, I didn't need it, most risks (all the major ones) were covered by other insurances. Main uninsured risk was cancellation but getting insurance just for that wasn't worth it particularly as a lot of stuff I pre-book is either cancellable free or low cost.

duchy

zagfles wrote: »

It's an oversimplified message anyway. Up till a couple of years ago I never had specific travel insurance, I didn't need it, most risks (all the major ones) were covered by other insurances. Main uninsured risk was cancellation but getting insurance just for that wasn't worth it particularly as a lot of stuff I pre-book is either cancellable free or low cost.

However if you were booking a package holiday -which included a higher risk activity like skiing and knew a holiday would include high cancellation costs (which covers the majority of family ski holidays) you may feel different - or be a bit more fussy about your cover.

I sort of understand students not fussing about insurance in Europe but I do find it odd that families can be equally casual about it.

I'm seeing it from a different view as I used to have a job that involved arranging travel to repatriate holidaymakers on behalf of the insurance companies so am aware just how horribly wrong things can go in terms of cost.,,, not just in terms of medical costs but all the other stuff that goes along with it. Even a "simple" hospialization can mean the patient is in hospital a long and expensive trip from a resort area -and insurance will cover the cost of taxis rather than hours on a bus - or accomadation for the family near the hospital -flights can need to be rebooked - and if the patient is needing to still be in hospital once back in the UK - a private ambulance would be needed to transport from airport to NHS hospital. That's without a medical escort's costs when needed.

I won't even do a day trip to Europe with insurance after seeing the consequences of no insurance.

zagfles

duchy wrote: »

However if you were booking a package holiday -which included a higher risk activity like skiing and knew a holiday would include high cancellation costs (which covers the majority of family ski holidays) you may feel different - or be a bit more fussy about your cover.

I sort of understand students not fussing about insurance in Europe but I do find it odd that families can be equally casual about it.

I'm seeing it from a different view as I used to have a job that involved arranging travel to repatriate holidaymakers on behalf of the insurance companies so am aware just how horribly wrong things can go in terms of cost.,,, not just in terms of medical costs but all the other stuff that goes along with it. Even a "simple" hospialization can mean the patient is in hospital a long and expensive trip from a resort area -and insurance will cover the cost of taxis rather than hours on a bus - or accomadation for the family near the hospital -flights can need to be rebooked - and if the patient is needing to still be in hospital once back in the UK - a private ambulance would be needed to transport from airport to NHS hospital. That's without a medical escort's costs when needed.

I won't even do a day trip to Europe with insurance after seeing the consequences of no insurance.

You don't necessarily need "travel" insurance for medical cover. I used to have a work policy which covered medical including repatriation, it was far better than travel insurance as there was no exclusion for pre-existing conditions, no exclusions if you have a drink etc. I was far better covered for medical than someone I know who goes travelling with normal travel insurance which doesn't cover their pre-existing medical condition.

Besides which if you travel 400 miles in the UK you're in a similar position to travelling 400 miles abroad with an EHIC card. Yes there might be some charges you have to pay abroad which you don't here, but the same applies vv. Try seeing what you'd get charged if say you had an accident in the UK resulting in several lost teeth, and how much implants would cost. NHS won't pay.