Claim or ‘No Show’?

Ambrosia46

Advice wanted for a Forum and travel insurance claim newbie.

Subsequent to booking a package holiday with a well know travel company, and paying in full by credit card, my wife has suffered from A-Fib. After a number of tests, with more tests and consultations to follow, she was advised by NHS medical staff not to travel. She has started cancelling the holiday.

Because travel is only days away we will be unable to reclaim anything from the travel company. They however are advising my wife and I to wait until the holiday return time to then claim from our travel insurance companies for a ‘no show.’

Morally, to my mind that passes everything onto the insurance company. Aren’t airport and passenger taxes included within the total cost of the holidays and what happens to these? Will these go into the coffers of the travel company? Obviously we would like to recoup as much as possible as getting a travel credit from the tour operator is not being considered, having no idea how long tests and treatments might last for my wife.

NoodleDoodleMan

In these circumstances it is standard procedure to claim from your travel insurer.

I would suggest calling your travel insurer soonest to get a complete understanding.

I'm not au fais with refunds on passenger tax etc. refunds - there are several forum members who are up to speed on that aspect.

Your wife's health is the most important consideration - get well soon.

Caz3121

you may find that your insurance will not cover taxes that are refundable from the airline. This is usually APD - for destinations up to 2000 miles this would be £13

TELLIT01

It sounds as if you are being advised to make a fraudulent claim which is never a good idea.  If you wife has been advised not to travel you should be able to claim on your travel insurance.

Westin

Ambrosia46 said:

Advice wanted for a Forum and travel insurance claim newbie.

Subsequent to booking a package holiday with a well know travel company, and paying in full by credit card, my wife has suffered from A-Fib. After a number of tests, with more tests and consultations to follow, she was advised by NHS medical staff not to travel. She has started cancelling the holiday.

Because travel is only days away we will be unable to reclaim anything from the travel company. They however are advising my wife and I to wait until the holiday return time to then claim from our travel insurance companies for a ‘no show.’

Morally, to my mind that passes everything onto the insurance company. Aren’t airport and passenger taxes included within the total cost of the holidays and what happens to these? Will these go into the coffers of the travel company? Obviously we would like to recoup as much as possible as getting a travel credit from the tour operator is not being considered, having no idea how long tests and treatments might last for my wife.

It sounds to me that the correct advice has been given by your tour operator.

This would be a travel insurance claim. You will need a cancellation invoice from your tour operator. This would be produced when you cancel. I’m not sure why they can’t issue that now however.

A No-Show letter is slightly different. Not sure you would need that on top of a cancellation invoice but if required this can be issued post-departure date.

Your insurer may deduct any recoverable charges from your claim. Typically the APD tax. As another poster has pointed out however this is only £13 pp if you are on a European trip.