Travel insurance dispute advice required

ro2778

I took out travel insurance for my partner and I and we cancelled the holiday for medical reasons. However, the insurance company initially refused to pay the claim because my partner was already out of the country on business prior to the holiday. In fact she was planning to fly to the holiday destination from the business trip location.

I appealed and they agreed to pay for my expenses but not hers. I paid for the full holiday but they only plan to reimburse half of it, claiming that who pays for what is irrelevant, it’s about who is going to use what is paid for. So they won’t pay for anything she was going to use.

Question 1) could I argue successfully to the ombudsman that she hadn’t started her holiday was only on business and therefore she should still have been covered? Especially as the reason for cancellation had nothing to do with this business trip.

2) should I escalate to the ombudsman on the grounds that I paid for the holiday, therefore if they acknowledge my half of the claim, they should reimburse me as we don’t have shared finances?

MovingForwards

Usually UK holiday insurance has t&C's that the holiday starts from the UK.

Therefore, as your OH's holiday was not starting from the UK, it would not be a valid policy and no cover would be provided.

Read their T&C's.

heatherw_01

Yep as per the other poster you need to read the t&c's of the travel insurance you got

ro2778

The T&Cs are 60 pages of legal speak, that some snotty lawyer has made deliberately unreadable, I was hoping for some opinions from some thoughtful intelligent human beings; unrealistic in hindsight. It is nearly 2020, the world was overrun by the meek long ago, lol read the T&Cs... can't believe I've posted here 96 times in 7 years, what a waste.

amberhen49

I can only speak for Columbus direct who I have insurance with. They make it quite clear before purchase that you have to be travelling from and returning to the UK.

Declarations

You understand that your insurance product information document, policy wording and our terms of business form the basis of your insurance contract and it's important to read all of these carefully before you pay for your policy.

You also agree to the following statements, which apply to you and anyone else named on your policy:

You're a UK resident and have been for at least 3 months.
You're purchasing the insurance while in the UK.
You're travelling from and returning to the UK.
You aren’t aware of any reason why the trip would be cancelled or cut short.
You have provided full details of any current or past medical conditions - as required by the policy terms and conditions and you will tell us of any changes to your health.

I'd imagine this is pretty standard for all UK based companies. Sorry you don't like the answer you got but there's no need to be rude.

EveryWhere

amberhen49 wrote: »

I can only speak for Columbus direct who I have insurance with. They make it quite clear before purchase that you have to be travelling from and returning to the UK.



I'd imagine this is pretty standard for all UK based companies. Sorry you don't like the answer you got but there's no need to be rude.

It's good that they are unpleasant. You don't have to feel bad for them nor help them ever again.

bigadaj

ro2778 wrote: »

The T&Cs are 60 pages of legal speak, that some snotty lawyer has made deliberately unreadable, I was hoping for some opinions from some thoughtful intelligent human beings; unrealistic in hindsight. It is nearly 2020, the world was overrun by the meek long ago, lol read the T&Cs... can't believe I've posted here 96 times in 7 years, what a waste.

It's a standard clause that is in most travel policies, some won't apply it but, guess what, they're likely to be a lot more expensive.

The t and cs are pretty clear and common, you can appeal or go to ombundsman but your chances of success are very low.

leylandsunaddict

ro2778 wrote: »

The T&Cs are 60 pages of legal speak, that some snotty lawyer has made deliberately unreadable, I was hoping for some opinions from some thoughtful intelligent human beings; unrealistic in hindsight. It is nearly 2020, the world was overrun by the meek long ago, lol read the T&Cs... can't believe I've posted here 96 times in 7 years, what a waste.

Surely you at least read the basics before buying it? Inclusions, exclusions, material facts etc? They're really quite easy to find and understand. If you enter into a contract, any contract, before reading it then you have no one but yourself to blame.

It's nothing to do with being meek. It's to do with due diligence. You're the one that bought an insurance policy that doesn't cover what you want it to, so no room to be rude to those that have the nous to make sure their policy does suit their needs.

parking_question_chap

Your insurer is a silly face. You are in the right and they are in the wrong. Take it to the ombudsman*
















































































































































*This advice isnt accurate. But I presume its what you want to hear.

George_Michael

ro2778 wrote: »

can't believe I've posted here 96 times in 7 years, what a waste.

I couldn't agree more.
As it's patently obvious that you only want people to reply if they agree with you, posting on here is indeed a waste of both your time and the time of the people who were good enough to respond.

This is from my annual policy:

We will only cover persons named on your policy Schedule if:
1. Their main home is in the UK.
2. The journey is a round trip, beginning and ending in the UK,
and is
a. a holiday outside the UK

Will you post the name of your insurance company so people can see how difficult it is to find the relevant clause about what trips are covered?

mattyprice4004

What an awful way to treat those trying to help you - shame on you.
Unluckily for you I have a lot of experience in this sector; but given your attitude you're getting no help from me.

Enjoy your bill, perhaps it's karma.