BA voucher - if I refuse it, can I claim on travel insurance?

OHat

In general, if you can no longer travel and an airline offers a voucher that you wish to decline, can you claim the money on travel insurance?

I'm due to fly to South Africa tomorrow, and BA have yet to cancel the flight, despite UK citizens not being allowed into the country and FCO advising against travel. BA offer free rescheduling or a voucher for future travel in the next 12 months, but this is extremely unattractive as we're not sure whether travel this year is a good idea.

We have travel insurance that is valid when FCO advises against travel (with CoverWise), but have to provide proof that compensation will not be provided. Obviously if we accept the voucher we cannot also claim on insurance, but can we refuse the voucher and claim? It would be much more convenient not to be tied into future flights, but we don't want to refuse the voucher and be refused by the insurers, who we can't get through to. Thanks for your help.

(I've searched on the main MSE coronavirus advice page and in the forums and not found a solution - apologies if I have missed it.)

Westin

"Obviously if we accept the voucher we cannot also claim on insurance, but can we refuse the voucher and claim?"
I am really not sure. I think a question for your travel insurer.   If it helps I have a similar issue for a flight tonight.  The travel insurance adviser was polite and sympathetic but couldn't tell me either way.  She told me it would be worth submitting a claim but insurance underwriters would view each case individually.   I think this is a case that they hadn't thought about the issue of voucher offers and have not had time to update internal policy or give direction to their call handlers.

Keep in mind any insurance excess for your claim. 

OHat

Thanks for your suggestion Westin - will keep trying to get in touch with the travel insurance! Phone lines pretty full right now though.
  
Are you refusing your voucher offer then, and hoping to claim?

Westin

At the moment, via the online claim form for SQ I have selected ‘Other’ and made a short plea for a refund rather than a voucher or waiver.  Heard nothing back yet. I think it a long shot but thought it worth a try.  I have been recording my efforts in trying to reach the airline by phone in the hope that this might help prove my attempts to mitigate loses with the travel insurance.  I have dismantled all the other holiday elements at Nil cost so won’t need to claim for any other items.  Our flight was (it is actually still running) at 8.30pm tonight.  I had hoped it would get cancelled so the claim would be easier but the aircraft is in the air and on route to LHR so that looks unlikely.  I will probably leave it until 5pm at which point complete the online form with Singapore Airlines accepting the voucher (at least for now) to protect the booking.  

luce3003

We are in a similar situation with Last-minute. Booked to go to Krakow on 30/03... borders closed and outbound flight cancelled. Last-minute will cancel but only refund via a voucher valid for 12 months. We're not in a position to use this due to conflicting work schedules so just want the money back. Last-minute refuse saying it's the 'law' to issue a voucher and basically tough luck if we can't use it. Booked pre any FCO warning to Poland and insured through Coverwise, again before any warnings, where we also meet cancellation criteria. Should we submit a claim? Thanks

Westin

"Last-minute refuse saying it's the 'law'" - Ask them what Law they are quoting from.
If you have a full package you should be offered a refund.
If you just booked accommodation and it was non-refundable, they can offer a voucher as a gesture of goodwill.

2001lb

I have the same thing, I have the travel disruption cover and should be refunded.  I don't want to accept a voucher as might not be able to use it if I can't travel or if the airlines goes bust.  Can't get through to insurer or travel agent.

Westin

"Can't get through to insurer or travel agent"
Unfortunately all will be very very busy.   It will be a case of patience and perseverance, however unless you are travelling within the next few days, it might be worth leaving it for now.   As you can see the situation is changing daily. Businesses are updating policies on their websites so worth check there regularly.  

2001lb

I am travelling in a couple of days time.  Insurer is saying that we don't have to take the voucher but travel agent is trying to get out of cancelling my flight by offering me credit note/voucher and telling me I can't cancel!