Explorer Travel Insurance 'Platinum' Cover Anything But - Not Paying Out For Holiday Booked Oct 2019

GFTSO4

Absolutely gutted!
We were due to have extended family holiday in Spain 01 August flying outbound with British Airways, shared villa accommodation and then return flight with Ryanair. Backed up with 'Platinum' Cover from Explorer Travel Insurance all booked and paid for Oct 2019. Despite BA cancelling outbound flight (who refunded immediately) and then subsequent FCO travel advice to Spain, found out today Explorer Travel Insurance won't pay out on accommodation or return flight as policy didn't provide cover on either event.  Some 'Platinum' policy which it seems severely limits cover especially if booking travel and accommodation separately. Villa accommodation wouldn't cancel or refund saying to claim off your insurance as did Ryanair so couldn't even get a Section 75.  How can insurance policies be allowed to get away with excluding FCO travel advice before the event? 

Nebulous2

I had very little idea about travel insurance and believed the only thing I bought it for was the medical cover abroad. I was stranded abroad in March and was fortunate enough to discover my policy did cover me for FCO advice. In future I’ll study policies a bit more carefully. 

What does your policy say about cancellation? 

Thrugelmir

Insurance policies have differing levels of cover. You get what you pay for. Pandemics aren't common events. Certainly not something you'd expect for travelling around Europe. We all wiser after the event. 

sheramber

it is up to you to read your policy document carefully to ensure you know what you are/ and are not  buying. Price is not everything.
What dos your policy say?
Many people are now discovering  that their  policy does not cover FCO advice against travelling.
But, of course, no one ( except the insurance companies)  thought about that before March this year.
No doubt travel insurance   will be considered more carefully  in future.

bagand96

"Platinum" is just a word they've decided to put on their policy.  The devil is in the detail and policy wording of what is and isn't covered.  They can call a policy anything they want.  One company's "Platinum" policy may not even be as good as another company's "Basic" cover.

GFTSO4

Definitely a chalk it down to (an expensive) experience,  I used Explorer regularly more because of the existing medical conditions cover. 

mattyprice4004

It's always worth pawing through the terms and conditions to make sure the cover provides insurance for the events you require. 
Remember, insurance isn't a 'catch-all' - it's cover against a pre-defined list of events that may happen, and regardless of policy nomenclature you need to study the inclusions and exclusions to make sure your policy covers what you want / need. 

elsien

Is it possible to wait and see if Ryanair cancel closer to the travel date - it's a way off yet, comparatively speaking.
Is the accommodation still open and available to you, even if you can't get there?
Have you properly checked the terms and conditions of your insurance to make sure they're not wriggling out of what they should be paying?