Advice on rolled over hotels and travel insurance claim

Trebor000

Hi looking for advice for a travel insurance claim, for hotels that can't be used and unwanted credit.


Background.

Was due to go to Brazil for a wedding in may 2020. 

Was able to get refunds for some hotels and flights at the time.

Two hotels wouldn't give refunds in line with their t&c but allowed moving dates.

The wedding was rescheduled for may 2021, so we moved the hotel's to 2021.

We can't use them due to lockdown (noting we haven't rebooked any other flights etc as was playing it by ear). The wedding is now canceled, so no need to go to Brazil.

We don't expect to go to Brazil and would prefer to get money from travel insurance.

I had a brief call about making the claim, and I need to show a cancellation invoice but wasn't clear if they would pay it, they said I would need to show other details i.e. flights as well but I don't have these for the rebooked 2021 period, just for 2020.

I don't want end up with nothing (i.e. ask hotel for confirmation of cancellation and no credit, only to have an unsuccessful claim), so wanted to check that this is likely to be successful, but unlikely to go to Brazil in the foreseeable future. 

Have I screwed myself over by moving dates in the first place rather than claiming at that point in time.

( I have insurance through nationwide bank throughout).

Many thanks in advance

CKhalvashi

As this would (in my opinion anyway) be a new booking, you will be subject to the terms and conditions of it.

As you don't appear to be on a package, a hotel is available in Brazil for you. How you get there and whether you can enter isn't the hotels problem.

As the booking presumably was made after around March 15 2020, it is unlikely your travel insurance will cover this, as it's disinclination to travel rather than a breach of contract.

Upsidedownandaround

Trebor000 said:

Hi looking for advice for a travel insurance claim, for hotels that can't be used and unwanted credit.


Background.

Was due to go to Brazil for a wedding in may 2020. 

Was able to get refunds for some hotels and flights at the time.

Two hotels wouldn't give refunds in line with their t&c but allowed moving dates.

The wedding was rescheduled for may 2021, so we moved the hotel's to 2021.

We can't use them due to lockdown (noting we haven't rebooked any other flights etc as was playing it by ear). The wedding is now canceled, so no need to go to Brazil.

We don't expect to go to Brazil and would prefer to get money from travel insurance.

I had a brief call about making the claim, and I need to show a cancellation invoice but wasn't clear if they would pay it, they said I would need to show other details i.e. flights as well but I don't have these for the rebooked 2021 period, just for 2020.

I don't want end up with nothing (i.e. ask hotel for confirmation of cancellation and no credit, only to have an unsuccessful claim), so wanted to check that this is likely to be successful, but unlikely to go to Brazil in the foreseeable future. 

Have I screwed myself over by moving dates in the first place rather than claiming at that point in time.

( I have insurance through nationwide bank throughout).

Many thanks in advance

Have you read the terms of your travel insurance? Do you think you are covered for this?

No one will be able to give you an accurate answer on whether your claim will be succesful without knowing the terms of the cover you had in place.

As above poster has said though it doesn't sound likely you will be covered on the information you have provided.

sheramber

I think what the insurance company want is proof there are no flights to Brazil for the dates involved.  Otherwise , it is disinclination to travel.

The wedding being cancelled is not part of your insurance  policy unless you added it.


At present nobody from UK is allowed to enter Brazil but that may change before you are due to travel. 

If the restriction is still in place then you may have an insurance claim but  that will depend on what cover your policy gives and whether the insurance company  do not consider the change of date as a booking made while covid was a known risk.

Trebor000

Thanks

The original booking was made in dec19 for may 2020, as we couldn't go (due to lockdown flight canceled etc, and the hotel's ended up being closed) the hotel's asked for alternative dates, which we moved to late April/may 2021.

In hindsight, we should have pushed for a refund/or credit card chargeback then as the hotel's couldn't fulfil their side of the contract, rather than accepting moving the dates.

I spoke again with travel insurance, and they are saying if the hotel is offering credit/rebooking option then we can't claim (one hotel is offering credit, the other may allow another change of dates)

So looks like I'll have to write it off, which is a bit disappointing, but I shouldn't complain as I've been relatively untouched by covid impacts, whilst others have had a much harder time.

CKhalvashi

Trebor000 said:

Thanks

The original booking was made in dec19 for may 2020, as we couldn't go (due to lockdown flight canceled etc, and the hotel's ended up being closed) the hotel's asked for alternative dates, which we moved to late April/may 2021.

In hindsight, we should have pushed for a refund/or credit card chargeback then as the hotel's couldn't fulfil their side of the contract, rather than accepting moving the dates.

I spoke again with travel insurance, and they are saying if the hotel is offering credit/rebooking option then we can't claim (one hotel is offering credit, the other may allow another change of dates)

So looks like I'll have to write it off, which is a bit disappointing, but I shouldn't complain as I've been relatively untouched by covid impacts, whilst others have had a much harder time.

The original booking is largely irrelevant.

What date was it changed? We only need a month, but if it was in March, a day will be extremely helpful too.

What are the terms of your insurance? If you name the company here, I can dig out the policy document and have a quick look.

That said, as I mentioned above, if the change was made after approximately March 15, you are unlikely to receive any money from your insurance company. A credit/re-booking option from the hotel, if you can get this again, may be your only option not to write this off.