Insurance cover for disrupted stay in B&B accommodation

Ed_Addis

We've just booked a night in a B&B in North Uist, and have been alerted to the following possibilities.  Firstly, that if we test positive whilst there and have to self isolate there, the owners will have to cancel other people's bookings, and we would be responsible for the cost of our own continuing stay whilst self-isolating, as well as their lost revenue from the other bookings.  Secondly, if another guest has to self-isolate just before our stay, our booking could be cancelled, and we would have nowhere to stay (accommodation is very scarce there!).  Does anyone know if these are eventualities that would be covered by a covid-enhanced policy?

mattyprice4004

It's unlikely you'll find a policy for this, as the risk is quite real and insurance is for unforeseen circumstances (whereas this is a very real possibility). 
Scenarios like this are why I'm holding off for now, or sticking to big chains where they'll likely have capacity to re-house us should the above happen. 

Upsidedownandaround

I would just cancel. I don’t understand why you would agree to this and don’t see any chance of you getting a policy to cover this.

For you first part you have no idea what liability you could have for you self isolation if you are agreeing to cover all of their lost revenue for having to close their business for the isolation period. This would be concerning for an insurer and as a result any would no doubt charge a large premium for this.

For your second part what solution would you be looking for an insurer to provide? If accommodation is scarce and there is no where for you to stay an insurance policy isn’t going to be able to change that. All they will be able to do is cover the costs if you did manage to find somewhere.

sheramber

 we would be responsible for the cost of our own continuing stay whilst self-isolating, as well as their lost revenue from the other bookings. 

Does you paying for the extra stay not cover  lost revenue from other bookings?

eskbanker

sheramber said:

 we would be responsible for the cost of our own continuing stay whilst self-isolating, as well as their lost revenue from the other bookings. 

Does you paying for the extra stay not cover  lost revenue from other bookings?

Not necessarily, if the self-isolation only overlaps partially with a subsequent booking that has to be cancelled in full.

Still unsure that terms like this are enforceable though....

Upsidedownandaround

eskbanker said:

sheramber said:

 we would be responsible for the cost of our own continuing stay whilst self-isolating, as well as their lost revenue from the other bookings. 

Does you paying for the extra stay not cover  lost revenue from other bookings?

Not necessarily, if the self-isolation only overlaps partially with a subsequent booking that has to be cancelled in full.

Still unsure that terms like this are enforceable though....

They might no be legally enforceable but if you're on North Uist and given a bill from the hotel to pay or sling your hook and find somewhere else to self isolate your not going to have much option unless you've packed a tent.

elsien

Why would you be doing a Covid test while you were there - you’re only there for one night? 

I’m not seeing a situation where that is particularly likely. 

Ed_Addis

Why would you be doing a Covid test while you were there - you’re only there for one night? 

I’m not seeing a situation where that is particularly likely. 

No, but we could develop symptoms!  I agree that it's unlikely, but there could be significant cost, and we could end up with nowhere to stay - situations that we might like to insure against.

cubegame

How would they prove that you were the source of the infection if you did test postitive? Ask them if they would be ok being liable for all costs if they infect you.

sheramber

I am sure there is more than one holiday accommodation on North Uist but the potential of holiday accommodation becoming unavailable due to a previous guest being infected with covid will apply to all holiday accommodation.

 Earlier in the pandemic there reports of guests stuck in a hotel in Spain after a guest tested positive. 

That is a risk in going anywhere unless you are self contained.