Backpacking trip curtailment - who is liable

NigelBo

Hi all

Daughter was backpacking in Australia when she had to return early due to virus, in line with government guidance at the time.

She booked a package from Trailfinders that included flights there and back, 2 internal flights and 3 nights in a hotel. ( the rest was to be arranged independently when she was there).  The 2 internal flights and hotel were not used as this was towards the end of the trip and after the early return.  ( They were probably cancelled anyway due to lockdown in Oz at the time ).

Trailfinders are saying they are not liable as they sold a non refundable package and it is a holiday insurance issue.  Holiday insurance saying they are not liable as their policy didn't cover curtailment due to pandemic, despite that being in line with government guidance.

My daughter has missed out on a third of her backpacking trip and seems to have no way of recovering that part of the full package that she missed.

Any thoughts from anyone ?

P.S  Trailfinders were excellent in helping my daughter return from Oz so I am not knocking them generally. 

Birseh_

HI NigelBo...who is the underwriter/insurance with?

NigelBo

Fit2travel - specialist backpacker insurance.  I've looked at the detailed T&Cs and it does list the reasons why they would be liable for a curtailment and Pandemic isn't one of those reasons.  I've challenged that my daughter was following government guidance to return to the UK ( otherwise her insurance would not have covered her had she stayed against this advice ) but they are adamant that as Pandemic was not one of the reasons stated, they would not cover her for a curtailment

Birseh_

Hi NigelBo.....I will send you a private message here

Birseh_

NigelBo this review from TrustPilot is actually from Anthony Marsh (he amended his review after it went viral - removing his photo and part where he says he works in regulation). He is head of the crime unit at the FCA and he does not think much of tifgroup either https://uk.trustpilot.com/users/59ca0dec0000ff000acd9d50

NigelBo

Thanks for the info re.Fit2Travel/tifgroup - looks like another case of buyer beware !
In the meantime, anyone got any thoughts on Trailfinders position that they are not liable as the package they sold was "non refundable", even though specific parts of that package were not able to be taken ( and most likely cancelled by the ultimate provider) due to the virus