Coronavirus travel disruption - latest info and your rights

dwoo

Does anyone know what happens to the length of cover of an annual travel insurance policy that can’t be used due to the travel restrictions? Is there a pro rata refund? Does the policy extend by the amount of time lost? Or do you just lose the money for the period you can’t possibly use? 

Aylesbury_Duck

dwoo said:

Does anyone know what happens to the length of cover of an annual travel insurance policy that can’t be used due to the travel restrictions? Is there a pro rata refund? Does the policy extend by the amount of time lost? Or do you just lose the money for the period you can’t possibly use? 

Nothing happens.  You took out cover for a year and you have cover for a year.

PaulineAmbrose

My trip to India  with Explore was curtailed after 8 days and we were brought home on an early flight.  Explore have offered to pay me on a pro-rata basis for the days I missed (I am accepting a credit voucher as I will re-book).  I booked my flights through Explore but they said they don't cover these and I would have to contact my insurance company.  This has proved difficult (understandably).  My question is this - I want to go on this trip again next year, can I claim for the cost of the flights as this was a big bit of the holiday?  Am I being unreasonable as I was brought home, albeit a week early?

Emski29

Hello. Please help! I paid a non-refundable deposit for a UK holiday last year (with a debit card). We’re due to go in just over 8 weeks. I have been told via email I need to pay the outstanding amount for the holiday (£540) in the next 2 days. If I don’t pay I will lose my £150 deposit as it is ‘non-refundable’ but if I do pay the balance and we can’t go due to Travel Restrictions still in force, they won’t give me a refund! They have said if the travel ban is still on they will allow me to use the money as credit towards another holiday later this year or next! I cannot have an extension on paying the final amount either. We have been going to this venue for 5 years and I’m so incensed loyal customers are all being treated like this. Is this legal ? Can they keep my deposit when it is through no fault of my own? I don’t want to end up more out of pocket than I already am if we cannot go and don’t see why we should be held to another holiday. This is an independent family owned holiday company. Thanks in advance  

Aylesbury_Duck

PaulineAmbrose said:

My trip to India  with Explore was curtailed after 8 days and we were brought home on an early flight.  Explore have offered to pay me on a pro-rata basis for the days I missed (I am accepting a credit voucher as I will re-book).  I booked my flights through Explore but they said they don't cover these and I would have to contact my insurance company.  This has proved difficult (understandably).  My question is this - I want to go on this trip again next year, can I claim for the cost of the flights as this was a big bit of the holiday?  Am I being unreasonable as I was brought home, albeit a week early?

I don't understand.  You bought a return flight and you got a return flight.  I don't see what you would be claiming for?  The pro-rata accommodation I can understand, but not the flights.

Aylesbury_Duck

Emski29 said:

Hello. Please help! I paid a non-refundable deposit for a UK holiday last year (with a debit card). We’re due to go in just over 8 weeks. I have been told via email I need to pay the outstanding amount for the holiday (£540) in the next 2 days. If I don’t pay I will lose my £150 deposit as it is ‘non-refundable’ but if I do pay the balance and we can’t go due to Travel Restrictions still in force, they won’t give me a refund! They have said if the travel ban is still on they will allow me to use the money as credit towards another holiday later this year or next! I cannot have an extension on paying the final amount either. We have been going to this venue for 5 years and I’m so incensed loyal customers are all being treated like this. Is this legal ? Can they keep my deposit when it is through no fault of my own? I don’t want to end up more out of pocket than I already am if we cannot go and don’t see why we should be held to another holiday. This is an independent family owned holiday company. Thanks in advance  

Yes they can keep your deposit if you cancel.  That's perfectly lawful.

You have a choice.  Don't pay the remainder and forfeit your deposit, or pay the remainder and if the company cancels the holiday, you may be able to force a refund but otherwise accept a voucher or re-booking,

J_B

CyTravel said:

Hi. I live in Cyprus and had a short break to the UK booked at the end of April. The Best Western hotel I've booked has emailed me and said they will not be open and so have agreed to offer me a voucher instead valid till November 2021. However, chances are we wouldn't use it or fly over before that date anyway................

It could be worse .. friend of mine is stuck in the UK and was supposed to back in CY last week - paying rent on his unoccupied house and kennel fees for his pet!

paps123

Hi I'm not sure where to post and ask about this so I thought I would try here. I had travel insurance booked from last year and the country I was traveling to is now on the FCO list. Every thing was booked independently, so I filled in a insurance claim form with TIF claims. They have responded saying FCO is not covered by my policy. I am a little lost now with no idea what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Caseygee

Hi. Not sure if this has been asked elsewhere. If my flights are cancelled and I accept vouchers from an airline, what happens if they then go bust before I can use them? Am I covered by my travel insurance? Thanks

Aylesbury_Duck

paps123 said:

Hi I'm not sure where to post and ask about this so I thought I would try here. I had travel insurance booked from last year and the country I was traveling to is now on the FCO list. Every thing was booked independently, so I filled in a insurance claim form with TIF claims. They have responded saying FCO is not covered by my policy. I am a little lost now with no idea what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

We can't really offer any help without knowing where you are heading, when and with which operators.  Have they cancelled or have you?  If you've cancelled it and your insurance doesn't cover you, that's it I'm afraid.