Travel Insurance

SueDerbyshire

We have booked a villa in Spain for next June and want to get some insurance cover. When I nooked on the villas website it didn't give me an option to buy cancellation cover and am now worried about what will happen if we are denied visiting Spain and not getting our money back. So my questions are:
Does anyone know of a travel insurance company that will cover us for this situation?
I paid by Credit Card for safety reasons, am I likely to get my money back if we can't visit Spain in June?

Thank you for your help.

Sue

Arthurian

Staysure seems good. https://www.staysure.co.uk/coronavirus-travel-insurance/

[Deleted User]

SueDerbyshire said:

I paid by Credit Card for safety reasons, am I likely to get my money back if we can't visit Spain in June?

If the villa tells you that you can no longer go and refuses to refund, then yes, you could pursue s75.

Not if you can't or don't want to go.

SueDerbyshire

I was also looking at staysure but they don't cover you if you have booked somewhere and then the Spanish or UK authorities stop us going to Spain, I've checked with them.

So it looks like I just get an insurance policy that covers me for all other aspects of Covid etc and hope we can still visit Spain, if not I will try and recover the money via section 75.

Thank you for your help 

Sue

eskbanker

SueDerbyshire said:

So it looks like I just get an insurance policy that covers me for all other aspects of Covid etc and hope we can still visit Spain, if not I will try and recover the money via section 75.

As @Deleted_User pointed out, section 75 only applies in the event of misrepresentation or breach of contract by the merchant, so wouldn't offer any protection in the event of Spain closing its borders to tourists (or the UK not allowing you to leave, for that matter), but could potentially help if the villa owner/site unilaterally pulled the plug on your booking.

sheramber

 Safest way is to look for refundable options before you book.

SueDerbyshire

Yes, I agree but on the Villas website it only gave me a non refundable option. Just got to hope it's going to be okay travelling to Spain in June. Thank you. 

jonnypb

SueDerbyshire said:

I was also looking at staysure but they don't cover you if you have booked somewhere and then the Spanish or UK authorities stop us going to Spain, I've checked with them.

So it looks like I just get an insurance policy that covers me for all other aspects of Covid etc and hope we can still visit Spain, if not I will try and recover the money via section 75.

Thank you for your help 

Sue

I'm also looking to book a Villa next summer, but looking at ones that refund 100% if cancelled 2 weeks before.  I've been checking insurances as well and my Nationwide FlexPlus account has annual travel insurance included and it states this.

We will pay up to £5,000 for each insured person for their portion of the trip costs if you have to cancel your trip.

Reasons for cancellation 

8) FCO travel advice ‘All travel’: Foreign & Commonwealth Offce advise against ‘All travel’ to your destination. The advice must have come into force after you opened your Nationwide FlexPlus current account, or booked your trip whichever is later. 19 9.
9) FCO travel advice ‘All but essential travel’: in the 28 days before your trip start date the Foreign & Commonwealth Offce advise against ‘All but essential travel’ to your destination. The advice must have come into force after you opened your Nationwide FlexPlus current account, or booked your trip whichever is later. 

So there must be plenty of other insurers out there who will cover you if the travel advice changes?  Unless I'm interpreting this wrong?

EDIT: I've just rang up and spoken to them and as of this month, they do now cover you for cancellation if the FCDO advises against foreign travel.  This is a new policy change for their insurance, so hopefully maybe others will follow?

sheramber

FCO advice is not the same as a Government lockdown , whether UK or Spanish government preventing travel/entry.

jonnypb

sheramber said:

FCO advice is not the same as a Government lockdown , whether UK or Spanish government preventing travel/entry.

True, but that also seems to be covered under the cancellation cover….

If you’re unable to use your pre-booked and pre-paid accommodation because the accommodation or immediately surrounding area is adversely affected by coronavirus.

sheramber

jonnypb said:

sheramber said:

FCO advice is not the same as a Government lockdown , whether UK or Spanish government preventing travel/entry.

True, but that also seems to be covered under the cancellation cover….
ut not of
If you’re unable to use your pre-booked and pre-paid accommodation because the accommodation or immediately surrounding area is adversely affected by coronavirus.

  not if Boris brings in travel restrictions from part  or all of UK.

If a country prohibits  entry to those who have been in UK in a specified periods- such as US  did- that does not come under  the accommodation or immediately surrounding area is adversely affected by coronavirus.

You need to read a policy very carefully to make sure you know what is and is not covered. not what you think is covered.