Travel insurance question - Can I Still Claim Travel Insurance for a Trip We Can’t T

slam_conn

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can offer some advice. I booked a UK break back in February for travel in May 2025. At the time, I didn’t take out the insurance offered by the provider. Just before the trip, my son was unexpectedly admitted to intensive care and we couldn’t travel. I contacted the provider and they were incredibly kind - they rescheduled the trip for us to take this month.

Unfortunately, I’ve just received a call to say my son now needs surgery next week, which means we won’t be able to go again. The trip is 7 days away, and his operation is scheduled for 8 days from now.

I contacted the provider again today, but because we didn’t take insurance when we first booked and they’ve already rescheduled once, they’ve said there’s nothing more they can do.

We don’t currently have travel insurance. If I take out a policy now, is there any chance it would cover this situation? Or have we just lost all the money we paid? It’s a significant amount for us, and we only just found out about the surgery.

Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated. Thank you so much.

Mark_d

You know that your trip will need to be cancelled, or will likely need to be cancelled.  This would invalidate any insurance you take.

If your holiday cost a lot of money, why didn't you get insurance as soon as you booked?  Insurance exists to protect you from losing money you can't afford to lose.

slam_conn

thanks @Mark_d i realise that now. i didn't expect my son to be in hospital or need this operation. lots of things going on outside our control but yes i know i should have had insurance already. a mistake on my part. thanks for taking the time to reply.

Grey_Critic

You are required to disclose any pre-existing conditions when you take out the policy. Failure to do so and then making a claim would be fraud. 

MyRealNameToo

slam_conn said:

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can offer some advice. I booked a UK break back in February for travel in May 2025. At the time, I didn’t take out the insurance offered by the provider. Just before the trip, my son was unexpectedly admitted to intensive care and we couldn’t travel. I contacted the provider and they were incredibly kind - they rescheduled the trip for us to take this month.

Unfortunately, I’ve just received a call to say my son now needs surgery next week, which means we won’t be able to go again. The trip is 7 days away, and his operation is scheduled for 8 days from now.

I contacted the provider again today, but because we didn’t take insurance when we first booked and they’ve already rescheduled once, they’ve said there’s nothing more they can do.

We don’t currently have travel insurance. If I take out a policy now, is there any chance it would cover this situation? Or have we just lost all the money we paid? It’s a significant amount for us, and we only just found out about the surgery.

Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated. Thank you so much.

How many bookies do you know that will take bets on a race thats already been run and the winners announced?

No, you can't bet on a race thats already been run. You know you need to cancel so can't insurer against needing to cancel now unless you intend to commit fraud. 

If your son was travelling with you and had you bought insurance when the vendor agreed to rescheduled then you may have been covered. Dont know why you didnt learn the errors of your ways after the first episode and yet still didnt buy travel insurance on the revised trip. 

luci

All insurance, including travel insurance, is to provide cover for an unknown and unexpected event such as accident or illness. One of the questions usually asked is, "Do you know of any reason why you may not be able to travel?" The insurer will not cover a known event.

It's unfortunate that you didn't think about taking out insurance after the first event when your son became ill. That was a prime example of when insurance could be valuable.

Do you have a packaged bank account that you pay a monthly fee for? They usually include travel insurance, but that's the only thing I can think may help you.