Help - Travel Insurance Query re: Car Hire

caz72me

I really need to get my travel insurance sorted for next week's holiday, but am having trouble getting my head around what is covered. We are spending Christmas in Ireland near my family so I have booked everything separately, normally as flights and car hire are so cheap I don't buy travel insurance when travelling to Ireland, but as its Christmas, everything is expensive and I know claiming back from Ryanair if the flights get cancelled is a nightmare, so feel I need to get some travel insurance on this occasion. I have booked 4 return flights for myself, husband and 2 kids, and car hire is in my husbands name for 10 days, and the apartment is booked & paid for directly with the owner for a 10 day stay. Technically I don't really require medical cover as we are staying so close to Northern Ireland that the closest hospital is in the North and we'd be treated under the NHS but I know this will be included in the policy anyhow. What I'm most worried about is the car hire, it was massively expensive to hire a car at Christmas and I think we get charged if we don't cancel within 24hrs of arriving, so it worries me that if Ryanair cancel our flight for whatever reason that we will get charged the £500+ for car hire if we can't get there - does anyone know if this would be covered by holiday insurance - had a quick look through policy wording in a few sites and can't see it mentioned?

leylandsunaddict

If Ryanair cancel your flights insurance isn't going to help. They won't refund you because that is down to the airline. I doubt insurance will cover the car hire either. Mine covers for consequential loss, but only if the airport or the airspace is closed, not if the carrier just cancels the flight.

If the flight was cancelled though, wouldn't you be looking to get the next available one, or fly with a different airline, rather than not go at all?

I'd be looking for a car hire company that allows cancellations/no shows with just a cancellation fee, rather than forfeiting the full amount, and then cancel the car you've got booked.

Failing that, you'll have to read the different policies carefully, or ring the various insurers for clarification.

novelty-socks

Yep, I agree with leylandsunaddict. With most car hire companies, you can make a 'pay on collection' booking for a small amount more — typically 10-15%. I usually use Avis, and with them you can cancel right up to the pickup time without charge.

In my experience, hire firms are usually pretty good with delays etc too. Say your flight was delayed by a day — just give the hire company a ring and they'll probably be happy to hold or amend your booking.

(Having said all that, the above may not apply if you've booked via an agent or broker. I had some issues with Holidayautos years ago and have booked direct ever since.)

Katiehound

Nothing to do with car hire but just to point out that you are covered for medical expenses with your EHIC in Eire- free visit to GP, free prescripion etc.

Moto2

Katiehound wrote: »

Nothing to do with car hire but just to point out that you are covered for medical expenses with your EHIC in Eire- free visit to GP, free prescripion etc.

You don't need a EHIC for Ireland if you're a UK citizen

glentoran99

Moto2 wrote: »

You don't need a EHIC for Ireland if you're a UK citizen

You sure about that?

Moto2

glentoran99 wrote: »

You sure about that?

Yes

The UK and the Republic of Ireland have a reciprocal agreement

caz72me

Ok so we've booked through Holiday Autos so guess that wasn't the best choice, looking at the documentation for the car hire, we will get charged £36 if we cancel anytime from 24hrs before and upto the hire time so we would know by the pick up time if our flight was cancelled. Flights we would intend to attempt to get over on another flight but my own personal experience of Ryanair is that if the flight is cancelled they don't normally put you on another flight and as we only travel on the night of the 23rd we'd struggle to get on another flight that close to christmas but would be trying for sure. Sounds like it won't be worth purchasing insurance then as we are only taking hand luggage so now baggage cover needed either. Thanks all

caz72me

Katiehound wrote: »

Nothing to do with car hire but just to point out that you are covered for medical expenses with your EHIC in Eire- free visit to GP, free prescripion etc.

Thanks we have these cards, haven't ever been asked for them in Ireland but luckally haven't required any medical treatment for the last 20 years of going over, but will have them on us just in case.