Travel insurance refund

fesses_lily

Morning all, 

I had a holiday booked for May 2025  which I booked in Feb 2025 with Jetline travel who went bust in March, I’ve managed to get a refund as I paid on credit card and sent them all the ATOL info I was sent but when contacting Sainsbury’s travel insurance to inform them and ask if I can have a refund I’m told no. 

I followed Martin Lewis’s advice about getting travel insurance as soon as I booked the holiday but because I am out of my 14 day cooling off period they won’t refund me despite the fact I’ve offered proof it’s not me that’s cancelled the holiday. 

I don’t understand as this has never happened to me before and it seems illogical that I am to be out of pocket for the travel insurance through no fault of my own. 

I’m already out of pocket buying tiny cases that are approved by easy jet and their case policy. 

Sainsbury’s just seemed to shrug and tell me it’s hard luck. 

Mark_d

Between February and March you were covered by Sainsbury's travel insurance.  If the holiday needed to be cancelled eg. for medical reasons then Sainsbury's travel insurance would have paid out.  Perhaps they would have also paid out if you were unable to get all your money back from your credit card.

Personally I disagree that people should always buy travel insurance as soon as you book the holiday.  If I fall ill then I can talk to the travel agent to reschedule the holiday, paying a small admin fee if necessary.  If the holiday company goes bust, I am covered through credit card protections.  If I have a medical issue under investigation then it's almost certainly better to wait for the results before buying travel insurance

Westin

For the reasons @Mark_d states, you are not due a refund on the standalone Sainsbury’s travel insurance policy.

You are however able to continue to use that travel policy in accordance with the purchase e.g. for the whole year if you bought an annual policy, or for the same travel dates if a trip specific one.

TELLIT01

Whilst I understand the arguments put forward by @Mark_d for not taking out travel insurance I don't full agree with his arguments.  Not all holidays can be rescheduled, certainly not at a small cost.  If you book flights and accommodation independently, both may be non-refundable and not allow date change (particularly the accommodation).

saajan_12

fesses_lily said:

Morning all, 

I had a holiday booked for May 2025  which I booked in Feb 2025 with Jetline travel who went bust in March, I’ve managed to get a refund as I paid on credit card and sent them all the ATOL info I was sent but when contacting Sainsbury’s travel insurance to inform them and ask if I can have a refund I’m told no. 

I followed Martin Lewis’s advice about getting travel insurance as soon as I booked the holiday but because I am out of my 14 day cooling off period they won’t refund me despite the fact I’ve offered proof it’s not me that’s cancelled the holiday. 

I don’t understand as this has never happened to me before and it seems illogical that I am to be out of pocket for the travel insurance through no fault of my own. 

I’m already out of pocket buying tiny cases that are approved by easy jet and their case policy. 

Sainsbury’s just seemed to shrug and tell me it’s hard luck. 

What are you out that needs refunding? You've already had the refund on the holiday itself. 

Insurance is there to indemnify you against the cost of the holiday or OTHER resulting losses. You'd never get the cost of the insurance policy premium itself back if that's what you're looking for? Its not the insurer's fault you no longer need the policy, and they only provide cover if (its an covered event and) you actually pay their premium! 

The luggage cases etc are irrelevant, that was your choice and you can use them again. 

jimjames

fesses_lily said:

I don’t understand as this has never happened to me before and it seems illogical that I am to be out of pocket for the travel insurance through no fault of my own. 

Sainsbury’s just seemed to shrug and tell me it’s hard luck. 

It's not hard luck as you've already had that cover. No different to expecting a refund from your car insurance if you didn't have any accidents during the year and made no claims.