Cancellation insurance for passport potentially not being available

LessThanSte

Hi all.

I probably know the answer to this, but thought I'd check…

We have recently adopted a son (13 months old), with the adoption order process ongoing. The quirk of this means that the relevant local authority are required to apply for a passport. They are doing so as we speak, but the timeframes are a little opaque…

We have a hotel booked in Spain in late September (booked this time last year, long before we knew we would have an adopted child at this point), but don't yet have flights. The flight prices are currently quite good. But as we don't have a passport we are at risk of not being able to travel if it doesn't come through in time.

So, the question - does anyone know if this would be considered a valid reason to cancel and claim the non-refundable flight prices on the insurance? If not, is anyone aware of any insurance products - im thinking a little like the indemnity cover purchased during some house purchases - that cover this type of eventuality?

A related question is that, currently, we only have paid the deposit for the hotel and can transfer the booking to some time in the future. If we got too close and we were exposed to extra cost, given that we booked this long before the adoption became a thing, is that something that could be claimable?

Thanks in advance…

Steve

Brie

I have a suspicion that this would be considered you changing/cancelling "on a whim" (as if adoption was something one does just because….). So no different than you cancelling because you decided you didn't want to go to that place at that time. I'm not even sure you would be able to book a flight without a passport number for your lad.

Frankly I'd put the whole thing off a few months as local authorities seem to run at their own speed, it's prime holiday time and the passport office is likely to be very busy and I'm betting that there's lots of wonderful things you can do with a very small child more local to you while you are still getting used to being his parents.

Congratulations on the addition to your family.

heatherw_01

Not having a passport isn't a valid reason to cancel a booking, as that is for the customer to make sure of.

Doesn't matter if you are adopting a child, the passport responsibility is yours.

I can't think of any insurance that would allow cancellation for that kind of reason, but someone else may have a better idea.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6679475/cancellation-insurance-for-passport-potentially-not-being-available

Each insurance policy will define exactly the reasons for cancellation it will cover, for example the PO covers you if your passport is stolen within 7 days of your departure date whereas StaySure has no cover for anything passport related in regards of a cancellation of a holiday.

It could be an insurer has something that offers protection but i dont know of any (not claiming to know the vast majority of wordings). In principle anything can be insured as long as its based on chance and its not illegal but unless there are thousands each year buying it you are into bespoke insurance territory which comes with bespoke pricing.

Why not pay the premium for the 1 week service? Though if the council will spare the member of staff to attend the appointment may be difficult.

LessThanSte

Thanks all. Yes, i think its the case that my current travel insurance policy wouldnt cover the lack of a passport. I think, on the basis of booking the hotel before we knew of a reason for a potential cancellation, that it would cover that (though it doesnt mentioned adoption, not surprisingly), though there could be an argument that we should cancel it as soon as we did know when potential refunds might've been available (im not sure whether there is an incrementally increasing charge as you get closer to the time).

So yes, thanks. If anyone know of any specialist insurances that might cover a potential not to have the passport through in time, please let me know :)

P.S. its not possible for me to apply for the fast service. Its the local authority who need to apply for it, using a process that is different to the normal passport application process (as they are a corporate parent for a looked after child, until such time as the adoption order goes through).

We might just have to leave it until as late as we dare then make a call whether to book and hope or cancel/rearrange.

luci

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82099461#Comment_82099461

Have you checked the T&Cs of the hotel booking regarding cancellation? Depending on how you booked it, there may be a cancellation window.

Insurance is for unknown or unexpected reasons. As you now know that there's a possibility of cancelling, that wouldn't apply. It only covers the perils listed on the policy and this is unlikely to be one.

Woodstok2000

This is the sort of policy youd want. They cover cancellation for any reason, however I've only seen US providers, they are expensive and only pay a proportion of your costs.

https://www.imglobal.com/travel-insurance/cfar

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82099524#Comment_82099524

A US company has launched an option in the UK now https://suregoassist.com/cancel-for-any-reason-uk/ however it is NOT insurance (you cant just choose to claim off of insurance, it can only cover risk based items) and so your routes for complaints etc wont include the FOS

Its also worth noting you have to buy it within 14 days of booking your trip

luci

I've just had a look at that policy. The first thing that jumped out at me, is that they pay out UP TO 75%. I couldn't see how much they would pay out under which circumstances. It's a hard no from me.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82099605#Comment_82099605

According to their AI bot its 75% or 0% - no sliding scale or conditionality, if its covered its 75%, if its not then its 0%

The full terms dont appear to be online which is a little concerning, certainly not recommending them, just pointing out an option does now exist

dnpark38

Have you informed your Insurer of the additional person to be added and paid any extra premium?