Flights cancelled - insurance refusing to cover other costs - anything I can do?

woodyhouse

I had a trip booked to South Africa our flights from the UK were cancelled by the airline (Virgin Atlantic).
We have received a refund from them, managed to get refunds for our accommodation too.

However, we did book separately some internal flights. These were non-refundable.

Our travel insurance is stating a claim wouldn't be paid out as it's not covered under their cancellation clauses.
The policy wording makes no mention of anything close to this scenario. Pandemic or no pandemic. 

What options do I have ?

Fully expecting my claim to be rejected.
Am I able to log a compensation claim from the airline (Virgin) we only couldn't attend due to their cancellation? They did provide weeks notice of the cancellation.
I've no interest in vouchers etc as I will not be able to reschedule this trip at all.

cx6

if you booked them separately (as opposed to on the one ticket for the whole trip)  then you have no claim against virgin and are subject to the cancellation t&c of the other airline(s)

woodyhouse

Can I do anything against the insurer? Their policy T's&C's is non-existent in this area?

elsien

You could make a complaint then go to the ombudsman.  No idea if it’ll get you anywhere, but nothing to lose.

Is there not anything about consequential losses? 

Phantom151

I suspect you are stuffed. The internal flights are still going ahead so no cancellation exists. The insurance is an interesting one but would depend on what their t&c's say.

Barny1979

woodyhouse said:

Can I do anything against the insurer? Their policy T's&C's is non-existent in this area?

I suppose ultimately there is the potential to rebook an alternative flight, so the insurance company will state it is your choice to not catch the internal flight so to speak. If there is no alternative flight, then they may look at it differently

cx6

what do tje internal flights say - do they allow you to cancel?

eskbanker

cx6 said:

what do tje internal flights say - do they allow you to cancel?

Cancelling isn't much consolation if there's no refund:

woodyhouse said:

However, we did book separately some internal flights. These were non-refundable.

mattyprice4004

Insurance is there to cover a specific set of events - I’d imagine in the scenario you’re faced with isn’t listed as a covered event then you’ve not got much hope. 

It may be worth posting a link to the policy so someone can check for you  

sheramber

You would need cover for consequential losses.