Thomson forcing people to buy travel insurance

cj2011

When booking a FLIGHT ONLY to another EU country with Thomson, they ask you to tick a box reading

As a condition of booking with us, you’ll need to ensure that all members of your party take out a travel insurance policy before you depart.

What's their reason for forcing me to buy extra insurance, either with them or someone else? Aren't there certain basic rights that I get automatically through EU regulations/ATOL etc? When I book a flight only with EasyJet, I never buy extra insurance. My mum got a full refund after a flight that was cancelled due to snow even though she didn't have travel insurance - she got a refund directly from Easyjet. So why do I need to buy extra cover when booking a flight with Thomson, but not when booking with Easyjet? Fair enough if I was booking a package holiday, but I was only booking a flight, just the way I would have done with Easyjet.

I'm only travelling with hand luggage and not bringing any valuables so seems unnecessary to take out cover for events such as delayed or lost luggage, as it's very unlikely that I'll need to make a claim if I don't bring checked bags in the first place. As for medical, I have the European Health insurance card. As for flight delays, I could probably live with them unless we're talking more than 12 hours.

So are Thomson effectively opting out of ATOL by asking people to buy separate insurance cover? Can they deny me boarding if I can't show an insurance certificate?

tomtontom

No, they will not deny you boarding if you don't have an insurance certificate.

It is generally recommended that you have travel insurance when going overseas. The EHIC does not cover the cost of repatriation, nor costs incurred at a private hospital or clinic. Also in many countries it does not fully cover the full cost of state health care. You'd be pretty foolish not to take out insurance for the little it costs.

PeacefulWaters

Flight only doesn't get ATOL protection.

EHIC doesn't necessarily cover health costs.

It's not the end of the world if my flight is delayed, my bag goes missing or I drop my iPad.

But insurance, above all else, gives you cover for those health and repatriation costs which can run in to tens of thousands of pounds if you're unfortunate enough to be in that position. That's a bill that would devastate me financially without insurance.

Flying abroad without travel insurance is asking for trouble.

bagand96

Its their T&C's, I think perhaps it more applies to package holidays but if its their T&Cs for flight only too then you have two choices, accept them or don't book with them.


In practice I seriously doubt they'll ask for proof or deny you boarding. However have a long hard think about travelling without travel insurance. It is a foolish idea. An EHIC only entitles you to certain benefits and varies from country to country. If something bad happens to you abroad and you are seriously ill, and need repatriating to the UK the costs will be tens of thousands of pounds.


For the almost trivial cost of travel insurance you are mad to not buy it.

stephb34

Who foots the bill if you are taken seriously ill mid flight or die and the plane has to be diverted to the nearest country, then the crew run out of flight time so all the passengers are delayed so want drinks and feeding and compensation for being delayed hours? So what happens to your body if you have died and is another country and you have no insurance?

photome

Crazy to travel without travel insurance..a weeks cover to europe can be had for a round a fiver.

It could cost you your house, your life savings, your future earnings etc etc if you travel without...why would you

maman

Sadly, there'll be some clown falling from a balcony somewhere in a few weeks time and distraught family in the UK trying to raise money for medical bills as no insurance. Will we ever learn or do holiday companies have to force us to be responsible?


It happens with motor insurance so I suppose it's a variation on a theme.


What Thomson aren't doing is forcing you to buy their insurance.

Grumpelstiltskin

So how much time before the OP comes back saying I have had to cancel my trip because............................ and Thomson won't give me my money back and I hadn't got any insurance.

PompeyPete

A lot of people who find themselves in the following situation don't have appropriate travel insurance...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293918-i7560-k8375505-o10-Warning_Grim_but_true_Road_safety_on_Koh_Samui-Ko_Samui_Surat_Thani_Province.html#65847144

lea2012

I believe that all airlines actually stipulate that you must have adequate travel insurance or they have a right to deny you boarding so if asked Easyjet would probably have the same stance on the matter as Thomsons do.

I may be wrong as I can't seem to find any info on it at the minute but I think it's due to an EU law / CAA Law whereby an airline has to make sure all passengers have adequate insurance rather than open themselves up to liability should anything happen whilst you are in the air and in their care.

pattycake

We have just renewed our annual travel insurance. Last year we had worldwide inc USA, Canada, Caribbean but this year we dropped those countries due to the cost. The renewal premium was £504!! USA would have added a further £200 to that.

My DH is 66 and had a heart attack 11 years ago. Thankfully nothing since but he takes drugs to keep him healthy.

My point is though, we would not consider travelling without insurance. I have no health issues (crosses fingers) but I am included on his policy.