Travel Insurance - Personal Injury query

darkcloudi

I have just come back from Egypt (Hurghada) and had an injury at the hotel premises where a flag pole hit me on my hip, this was due to it being pushed, the result of this was discomfort and also bruising which obviously I have photo evidence. The incident has also been captured on CCTV. The hotel has since removed the flag so it won't happen again, just to note at the hotel kids are allowed to ride bikes, hover boards, skate boards, etc within the lobby area and pump into objects which is the reason why this issue had occurred as they disregard health and safety of residents (i'm assuming).

The hotel chain ( a popular 5 star ) was only offering as compensation:
A massage for me and missus
Food at a Seafood restaurant
Late checkout

I declined this as I felt the injury had spoilt my entire holiday as it happened 2 days in, which meant for 5 days I was stuck in the hotel premises couldn't do wind surfing, horse riding, etc as I am quite an active person as i'm sure any solicitor would see from previous holiday expeditions, I didn't see a doctor as it was just bruising and some discomfort and didn't feel anything was broken and took Ibuprofen and Paracetamol to ease the pain.

Firstly I am quite disappointed with Virgin Travel Insurance as there terms suggest that they cannot pursue a claim against a holiday agent I have used or accommodation I have stayed in (which I personally find weird as you are more then likely to make claim against these if something was to happen). I am now going to my home insurance to claim which I am hoping this will go through should find out in the next 24 hours.

Was wondering has someone else been in similar situation or can provide advise on what I should do to claim for personal injury at a hotel.

Went to a holiday to relax and enjoy but instead it was my worst holiday and feel I wasted my cash as I didn't do what I wanted

Thanks in advance for any responses

dacouch

Have you asked your travel Insurers whether the Legal Cover will assist you?

darkcloudi

Yes, Virgin Travel Insurance, as per the original post they said they cannot make a claim against a travel agent or any accomodation I have stayed in, you got to love the small print on insurance cover as they will find any way not to pay.

sheramber

The policy information on the website for legal cover says

Special exclusions which apply to section I
We will not cover the following:
1. Any claim we or our legal representatives believe is not likely to be successful or if we think the costs of taking action will be more than any award.
2. The costs of making any claim against us, our agents or representatives, or against any tour operator, accommodation provider, carrier or any person who you have travelled or arranged to travel with.

dacouch

darkcloudi wrote: »

Yes, Virgin Travel Insurance, as per the original post they said they cannot make a claim against a travel agent or any accomodation I have stayed in, you got to love the small print on insurance cover as they will find any way not to pay.

Did you book the holiday through Virgin and buy travel insurance through them by any chance?

darkcloudi

No, holiday with Thomas Cook and insurance with Virgin.

I'm hoping my home insurance will cover it but its a waiting game for a response.

Auntie-Dolly

Wouldn't your claim be against the person who pushed the flagpole?

darkcloudi

That would be a 5 year old child. I thought it should be against hotel for leaving an obstructive item that can get easily knocked if they allow skateboarding in the lobby area.

sheramber

If it is an Egyptian hotel would action not need to be raised in Egypt under Egyptian law?

rs65

darkcloudi wrote: »

I thought it should be against hotel for leaving an obstructive item that can get easily knocked if they allow skateboarding in the lobby area.

That's quite a weak argument in my view. They remove it after it happened which was the right thing, and also suggests it was the first time it happened.