When does cooling off period start

CarpeDiem

We bought an annual policy with staysure in September BUT the policy didn’t come into effect until 1st December….. plans changed and cruise put off by us (as offered by P&O) for 12 months.   Staysure refusing to cancel/refund saying out of 14 day cooling off period (purchase date).  Citizens Advice say 14 day cooling off period starts day if purchase OR date of commencement of policy whichever is the latter !  Can anyone tell me please where I can clarify this.   (not only for me but my dad (83) his cost over £300 and my auntie (72) hers also cost over £300). Thanks

Westin

Most travel insurance policies would start immediately.  Are you sure you are not confused by the cruise date (1st Dec?).   

You need the cover from the booking date ideally to ensure that if anything happened you are immediately covered. It is not just to cover eventualities on the cruise but to cover you if you need to cancel beforehand,.

I sadly suspect StaySure is correct and the 14-day cooling off period has passed.

Have you asked if Staysure will defer the cover period or give a credit back for an new policy to be taken when the cruise can be rearranged?

NoodleDoodleMan

Sound advice on approaching Staysure to defer. They may well be sympathetic to your circumstances.

Why did you put off the cruise - that is the key issue ?

A change of mind, generally referred to as Disinclination To Travel is not grounds for refunds or compensation etc.

Voyager2002

Westin said:

Most travel insurance policies would start immediately.  Are you sure you are not confused by the cruise date (1st Dec?).   

You need the cover from the booking date ideally to ensure that if anything happened you are immediately covered. It is not just to cover eventualities on the cruise but to cover you if you need to cancel beforehand,.

I sadly suspect StaySure is correct and the 14-day cooling off period has passed.

Have you asked if Staysure will defer the cover period or give a credit back for an new policy to be taken when the cruise can be rearranged?

Annual policies start from the date specified, not the date of purchase.

lisyloo

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Sound advice on approaching Staysure to defer. They may well be sympathetic to your circumstances.

Why did you put off the cruise - that is the key issue ?

A change of mind, generally referred to as Disinclination To Travel is not grounds for refunds or compensation etc.

I believe the OP is talking about consumer contracts regulations (used to be distance selling) not a travel claim.

the reason for cancellation is irrelevant under consumer contracts regulations (it would be relevant if making an insurance claim).

having read the relevant part of the consumer contracts legislation and the FCA handbook I believe the cooling off period has ended and what citizens advice are saying is incorrect.

here is what the fca have to say
https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/ICOBS/7/1.html

I would ask staysure to credit/move the cover.
you can complain or go to the ombudsman but IMO you are not in the cooling off period.

i am not a lawyer and am happy to be corrected but i’ve Read the legislation, so please refer to legislation or fca handbook sections if you think I’m wrong.

Sandtree

CarpeDiem said:

We bought an annual policy with staysure in September BUT the policy didn’t come into effect until 1st December….. plans changed and cruise put off by us (as offered by P&O) for 12 months.   Staysure refusing to cancel/refund saying out of 14 day cooling off period (purchase date).  Citizens Advice say 14 day cooling off period starts day if purchase OR date of commencement of policy whichever is the latter !  Can anyone tell me please where I can clarify this.   (not only for me but my dad (83) his cost over £300 and my auntie (72) hers also cost over £300). Thanks

Insurance cooling off period starts from the later of:
1) Policy inception
2) Receipt of policybook/documents

There are exceptions such as single trip policies with a duration of less than a month but none apply in this case.

lisyloo

Sandtree said:

CarpeDiem said:

We bought an annual policy with staysure in September BUT the policy didn’t come into effect until 1st December….. plans changed and cruise put off by us (as offered by P&O) for 12 months.   Staysure refusing to cancel/refund saying out of 14 day cooling off period (purchase date).  Citizens Advice say 14 day cooling off period starts day if purchase OR date of commencement of policy whichever is the latter !  Can anyone tell me please where I can clarify this.   (not only for me but my dad (83) his cost over £300 and my auntie (72) hers also cost over £300). Thanks

Insurance cooling off period starts from the later of:
1) Policy inception
2) Receipt of policybook/documents

There are exceptions such as single trip policies with a duration of less than a month but none apply in this case.

Can you clarify what you mean by “inception”
Policy Inception Date means the date stated in the Schedule at which the Policyholder first enters into this Policy.

FCA handbook talks about “conclusion” which I think means when the policy is contract is agreed (not the start date of cover)
citizens advice appears to say when the policy starts (by which most people would interpret as cover date).

can you clarify your understanding precisely.