Travel refund - with a difference

HughesieII

I was due to travel to a wedding in Cancun in April 2021 which was booked in November 2020.

At the time of booking it was classed as "essential travel only" by the Gov, which covered being able to attend a wedding internationally, this changed on the 29th of March where essential travel to a wedding, for this reason, was excluded.

Pre 29th March advice:

Legally permitted reasons for international travel include:

•work

•volunteering

•education

•medical, or compassionate grounds

•weddings, funerals and related events

Post 29th March advice:

Reasonable excuses for international travel include:

•work

•volunteering

•education

•medical, or compassionate grounds

•funerals

•leaving the UK if you do not live in the UK, and have only been here temporarily

•allowing access to parents with children who do not live in the same country

As the guidance changed so close to the wedding I was unable to secure a refund on my accommodation costs of Circa £2k.

My travel insurance has rejected the claim based on the following:

I appreciate these guidelines weren’t in place when you booked your trip, but there was advice against all

but essential travel in place at that time. Therefore, irrespective of the more recent specific guidelines

around travelling for a wedding, there’s no cover under the policy for your claim circumstances because the

FCDO advice was in place when you booked your trip. I appreciate this isn’t the outcome you were hoping

for, but I hope I’ve explained why we’ve taken this view.

Are they correct in rejecting the claim?

Regards
Hughesie 

eskbanker

Which company was it and what do the policy terms say?

I can see their argument to be honest, i.e. that they won't pay out if non-essential travel is banned (generically) by the FCDO, even if your specific reason for travelling offers an exemption from that, but much will depend on exactly how the relevant clauses are worded.

bagand96

I'm not sure if this makes a difference legally... But was it a wedding for someone who lives in Mexico, or was it a wedding for UK based people who'd chosen to have a wedding abroad?

HughesieII

It was with Natwest and for a wedding of my American best pal.

sheramber

  If you are not happy with their reply follow the complaint procedure which should be detailed in your policy document.

onashoestring

I thought that the previous advice that international travel for weddings was permitted only for those actually getting married - not their guests?