Booked a holiday to Sri Lanka? Your rights after terror attacks - MSE News 23 April 2019 at 4:21PM in Overseas holidays & travel planning 37 replies 4.7K views

Former_MSE_Naomi

Sri Lanka is currently facing heightened security and a nationwide curfew following Sunday's terror attacks. If you're in the country now or due to travel there shortly, here's what you need to know...

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'Booked a holiday to Sri Lanka? Your rights after terror attacks'

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agrinnall

The FCO have now advised against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, so it may now be possible to cancel and get a refund from insurance.


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/travel-advice-to-sri-lanka-updated

lisyloo

I’m curious how this works.
How far ahead can you claim? Or is it only after?

Just thinking that if you don’t know whether you are going or not then you can’t reserve anything else or cancel/re-book your work leave.

I am guessing it’s only at the time you can decide/claim making it mightily inconvenient financially, work leave and reservation wise.

cazziebo

Does anyone know what happens if the booking (via a travel agent) is a few months away? I've booked for August.

Beverley_Hillbillies

agrinnall wrote: »

The FCO have now advised against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, so it may now be possible to cancel and get a refund from insurance.


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/travel-advice-to-sri-lanka-updated

As I understand it, you can't claim on holiday insurance if a destination is cancelled by the FCO due to terrorisium, one has to stand the cost if booked independently, i.e. not through a tour operator

peachyprice

lisyloo wrote: »

I’m curious how this works.
How far ahead can you claim? Or is it only after?

Just thinking that if you don’t know whether you are going or not then you can’t reserve anything else or cancel/re-book your work leave.

I am guessing it’s only at the time you can decide/claim making it mightily inconvenient financially, work leave and reservation wise.

You should be able cancel and book somewhere else now. Nobody knows how long the travel restriction will last, it could be years, but hopefully not.

lisyloo

Beverley_Hillbillies wrote: »

As I understand it, you can't claim on holiday insurance if a destination is cancelled by the FCO due to terrorisium, one has to stand the cost if booked independently, i.e. not through a tour operator

Do you have a link or source?
I’ve thoroughly checked my policy and there isn’t an exclusion for either terrorism or independent arranegmemts. It specifically says this scenario is covered.
Where did you read/hear this?

lisyloo

cazziebo wrote: »

Does anyone know what happens if the booking (via a travel agent) is a few months away? I've booked for August.

Sounds like you can claim on your insurance for cancellation.
This is why you should take it out when you book (or have an annual policy in place).

smudge2006

I tried and my insurer said they'd only pay out of my holiday was within 14 days. I'm booked for July

cazziebo

lisyloo wrote: »

Sounds like you can claim on your insurance for cancellation.
This is why you should take it out when you book (or have an annual policy in place).

I have an annual policy, but won't the Travel Agent try to rebook a similar holiday? I don't want a refund, I'd rather have a holiday of more or less same standard (and flight prices will have increased since I booked)

peachyprice

smudge2006 wrote: »

I tried and my insurer said they'd only pay out of my holiday was within 14 days. I'm booked for July

Have you asked your tour operator for a refund or to re-book you to a different destination?

This is not necessarily an insurance claim situation.