Shame on thomson holidays

sammychunk

A warning to everyone leaving booking holiday insurance until the last minute. Booked a ten day holiday for myself, husband, daughter and boyfriend as 21st birthday pressie for her a couple of months ago with Thomson. Never got round to booking the insurance, now two weeks prior to flying off to Cape Verde, hubby has suffered a heart attack. After undergoing an angiogram, he will recover which we will be eternally grateful for. We approached Thomson, admitting our failure to ensure we were properly covered by insurance, hoping to appeal to their better nature, as he is now unable to fly for 4 weeks, however their call centre has helpfully quoted us their terms and conditions which state we are entitled to a 10% refund of the holiday cost. I cannot emphasize that in the grand scheme of things, hubby's health is foremost in our minds, however it's bitterly disappointing that Thomson are unable to provide us with any alternative. We have always regarded Thomson as one of the more customer focused travel companies, seems we are somewhat misguided. A lesson, for the busy, forgetful or just plain lazy:( amongst us, BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE!!!

CM66

Realistically it's not shame on Thomson, more shame on you for not taking out travel insurance once you'd booked....

InsideInsurance

Did you discuss changing the dates with them rather than cancelling? companies tend to be a little more willing to do that than give a full refund - as you are looking for a guesture of goodwill it will also vary depending on which agent you are talking to.

You are correct however in ensuring you have appropriate insurance.

I guess you dont have any fee paying bank accounts that include travel insurance "for free" (aka its what the fee is for)

jpsartre

What a ridiculous thread title.

meer53

Travel insurance needs to be booked the same time as booking the holiday. The thread title needs to be changed.

London50

Thomson Holidays are not a charity, as stated insurance should be got at the same time as a holiday is booked and shame on anyone who thinks they can leave it for a later date. Thomson have t & c's and if people choose to ignore them thinking they can save a pound or two soon learn a very expensive lesson when things go wrong.
I think this thread should be titled "Shame on me"

photome

I am another who think the thread title should be "shame on me for not buying travel insurance at the right time".

As someone else said have you asked them if they will move the holiday? they may do so for a small fee.

sheramber

If Thomson refunded people with no insurance why would anybody take out insurance?

chancesare_2

sammychunk wrote: »

A warning to everyone leaving booking holiday insurance until the last minute. Booked a ten day holiday for myself, husband, daughter and boyfriend as 21st birthday pressie for her a couple of months ago with Thomson. Never got round to booking the insurance, now two weeks prior to flying off to Cape Verde, hubby has suffered a heart attack. After undergoing an angiogram, he will recover which we will be eternally grateful for. We approached Thomson, admitting our failure to ensure we were properly covered by insurance, hoping to appeal to their better nature, as he is now unable to fly for 4 weeks, however their call centre has helpfully quoted us their terms and conditions which state we are entitled to a 10% refund of the holiday cost. I cannot emphasize that in the grand scheme of things, hubby's health is foremost in our minds, however it's bitterly disappointing that Thomson are unable to provide us with any alternative. We have always regarded Thomson as one of the more customer focused travel companies, seems we are somewhat misguided. A lesson, for the busy, forgetful or just plain lazy:( amongst us, BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE!!!

As others have said, the lack of insurance is your own fault. Awful though your situation is, it isn't the fault of the travel company.

If you want to try and salvage something you could try appealing to their better nature and arranging an alternative date. Slagging them off will get you nowhere.

On a lighter note, I am shocked you were taking both a husband and boyfriend....

tarkytarks

Can you send your daughter and her bf off on the holiday anyway? Surely that's a better than nothing option if you would otherwise forfeit 90% of what you paid?

PeacefulWaters

Do you have travel insurance on any of your bank accounts?