Is insurance compulsory?

PawelK

Hello.

I am quite new to packaged holidays and recently booked all inclusive deal with jet2holidays. As the whole cost was already slightly above my budget, I was bit surprised that when I received email confirmation from them, it states along the lines (in red), that the contract requires me to have an adequate insurance for our trip. As I didn't purchase this as an extra with them, can someone tell me if I actually have to purchase it somewhere else before our trip? I don't want to be in breach of the contract but at the same time can't really afford extra cost. Do they check if we have it, before we depart UK or perhaps I can buy the cheapest possible one just to comply with the contract's T&C's?

Thank you.

soolin

I don’t believe they can enforce compulsory insurance, however it would be a foolish traveller who didn’t have something in place for their own protection. If you can’t afford a small premium for insurance , and it really doesn’t have to be expensive, how will you afford to cover yourself in the unfortunate event you need medical assistance, or your bag gets stolen or you become ill and can’t travel? 

Have a read back through some of the posts on here, the Covid boards or insurance board , minor issues can often become mega expensive. Frankly if you can’t afford insurance then you can’t afford the holiday. 

onashoestring

If that is in the T&Cs of your contact then it will be required.

Insurance policies cover things like : 

• Cover for medical costs and additional accommodation/travel expenses if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
• Cover to bring you home if medically necessary

They can also cover : 

• Cover to cancel your trip if you or someone you’re travelling with is diagnosed with COVID-19
• Cover if you’re contacted by NHS Test and Trace and advised to self-isolate days before travel

You need to make sure you select a policy that covers what you need not just based on price.

Jet2 won’t cover these costs so you need insurance in place to cover them.

sheramber

You need insurance now to cover you if you have to cancel the holiday due to , for example, you take ill, or you have an accident and break something which prevents you from travelling. 

It will cover from the date you take it out until you travel, when the policy will then cover you while away if you lose your baggage,  become ill or have an accident and need medical treatment which you have to pay fro when abroad.

Just make sure the cover gives you the protection you need.

J_B

You don't say where you are going or for how long but I suspect that the cost of insurance will be miniscule compared to the price of an all inclusive package holiday

mr_stripey

I don't think it is compulsory, no.
The travel agent will be at pains to ensure they've clearly signposted the fact that you shoudl have insurance. Be interesting to see the exact wording.

But as others have said, you'd be crazy to consider travelling without having some insurance in place as the cost of even a minor mishap could be astronomical.The cost of an insurance policy for a two week holiday will be probably be less than a round of drinks.

My annual multi trip worldwide policy is less than £80 for the whole family.

onashoestring

Jet2 Holidays T&Cs 

7 Your Responsibility 

“…… It is a condition of your contract with us that you take out adequate travel insurance suitable for your needs from the date of booking which should cover you if you have to cancel your arrangements, or for any emergencies that arise while you are away.  ……..We do not check insurance policies for suitability, but reserve the right to request a copy.  You are responsible for indemnifying us in full in the event that we incur any losses from or expenses arising out of your failure to take out adequate insurance cover. 

https://www.jet2holidays.com/terms-and-conditions

emmajones1976

I would wager that term above has been enforced at the departing airport a grand total of zero times.

TELLIT01

I always take out my own insurance but never had a tour operator check that I have it.  That said, I agree with the other responses that travelling without insurance is a high risk strategy.  I know people will say that they have travelled many times without insurance without any problems, but it is the one occasion where there is a problem that the costs and stress rack up.

The most serious situation I have come across was a guy who certainly could afford insurance as he was a merchant banker , but thought it was a waste of money.  He'd been on multiple ski trips without a problem, but then had a bad fall and broke his neck.  The costs ran into 10's of thousands of pounds.  He had the finances to cover it, but overall would have spend well under £1k for insurance for all his trips.

You may well also find that the travel company rep would ask about your insurance in the event of accident or illness, and wipe their hands of you if you had broken their T&C by not having any.

bagand96

As pointed out it's a term of your contract with Jet2. However in practice it isn't checked and they won't refuse you travel. The clause will be there to protect them in the event an uninsured passenger runs into trouble and expects them to sort it out.

Travelling without insurance would be a very foolish thing to do. What happens if one of you is taken ill abroad? Or has a serious accident and needs bringing home to the UK by ambulance or even a chartered flight? 

PawelK

Thanks everyone for their replies. I found the cheapest insurance for around £20-25 for both of us but that's just for the week we're away. Should I pay more in order to be covered from now until we return? Although jet2 seems to have a good free change or refund policy in case of any lockdowns or their cancellation etc.
Another thing to consider is, if it's says "adequate", does it mean I need to go throw both insurances terms and conditions and compare them to ensure the one I'm taking out doesn't duplicate what jet2 already covers?

I am quite clueless to this as I have never (or perhaps once long time ago) purchased any insurance for my holidays although they're usually self made and not a package. My attitude towards insurance is that I am in a very low risk (healthy, careful person) group and also have EHIC card. I was always prepared to take the risk and just cover anything unexpected from my cash. Insurance companies often refuse to pay out and I'm pretty sure over the years, I have saved a small fortune by not taking them each time I travel.