RAC Travel Insurance - Covid

Billxx

Hi, my wife and I both contracted Covid and as a result cancelled our holiday.  We took out a travel insurance policy with the RAC, we went for the top level "black" cover as this has comprehensive Covid 19 cover (as per Martin's suggestion).
So, in attempting to make a claim with the RAC we are referred to "Claims Settlement Agencies" who act for the RAC.  To claim we need to complete a form.  The medical cancellation section requires us to get a GP medical report, which is not appropriate in the case of Covid 19.  As per usual customer service does not exist as we cannot speak to a human on the telephone for advice.  Anyone out there who has dealt with Claims Settlement Agencies?  Any advice gratefully received.

Kind Regards,

Bill

eskbanker

Was the Covid infection sufficiently serious to render you unfit to travel, or were you barred from travelling by the policies of your airline or destination, or something in between?

Sandtree

Have you tried the telephone number at the bottom of the page https://www.csal.co.uk/claim-forms/ ? Its the same number they advertise for corporate enquiries and so very much doubt its an automated line.

What evidence do you have that you had covid if you didn't speak to your GP?

onashoestring

Do you have a certified positive Covid test ( one you paid for ? ) that is usually what is required for a Covid insurance claim .

eskbanker

onashoestring said:

Do you have a certified negative Covid test ( one you paid for ? ) that is usually what is required for a Covid insurance claim .

More likely to succeed with a positive one!

onashoestring

Thanks @eskbanker for pointing out my mistake ! Must be the heat getting to me ! 😆 

I have corrected my post . 

Billxx

eskbanker said:

Was the Covid infection sufficiently serious to render you unfit to travel, or were you barred from travelling by the policies of your airline or destination, or something in between?

We were both too unwell to travel.

onashoestring said

Do you have a certified positive Covid test ( one you paid for ? ) that is usually what is required for a Covid insurance claim .

No.  We have evidence of positive LFT's.

Billxx

Sandtree said:

Have you tried the telephone number at the bottom of the page https://www.csal.co.uk/claim-forms/ ? Its the same number they advertise for corporate enquiries and so very much doubt its an automated line.

What evidence do you have that you had covid if you didn't speak to your GP?

We followed the NHS advice and have isolated as much as possible.  It does not advise contacting your GP.  I'll give that number a try.

elsien

This is from their policy document.


"We will require (at your own expense) the following evidence where relevant: • A copy of the positive test result for COVID19 you received from a registered medical practitioner • Written confirmation from the scheduled public transport operator (or their handling agents) confirming the exact reason for which you were denied boarding, together with details of any alternative transport offered • Receipts or bills for any transport, accommodation or other costs, charges or expenses claimed for • Any other official document or medial report confirming your diagnosis for COVID-19 which leads to your self-isolation, or need to cancel your trip."

I'm sorry but  an LFT carried out at home may not be  be sufficient to meet that. Did you call them to check what would be  required when you became aware you wouldn't be travelling? Did you register the results anywhere - do you have an email for example? 

Sandtree

Billxx said:
No.  We have evidence of positive LFT's.

And what is that evidence?

An insurer is going to want confirmation of exactly what test was taken, we talk of "lat flow" as if there is only one but there isn't. Evidence of who took the test and exactly when plus most likely verification of the interpretation of the result. One photo of the test result taken at the time or worse still, trying to present the old test device itself is unlikely to pass muster.

Its unfortunately to easy to claim you've tested positive etc from a self administered home test... a colleague the other day wanted to avoid the £30 per person cancellation fee at a restaurant after they got a better offer on the day so phoned and claimed they'd tested positive, felt ok but didn't want to spread it to other guests. 

Billxx said:
We followed the NHS advice and have isolated as much as possible.  It does not advise contacting your GP. 

The NHS advice will be based on a balance of protection your health but also ensuring the GP service doesn't collapse. The one thing that they wont be considering when writing the guidelines is the potential impact on an insurance claim. 

eskbanker

Billxx said:

eskbanker said:

Was the Covid infection sufficiently serious to render you unfit to travel, or were you barred from travelling by the policies of your airline or destination, or something in between?

We were both too unwell to travel.

Unfortunate, but how do you propose to convince your insurance company of that?