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Holidays can give us a real boost, but unfortunately sometimes things go wrong that are out of our control.
Issues such as your flight being delayed, or bags getting lost en route to your destination, can put a real spanner in the works when you’re taking a break.
Fortunately, travel insurance can provide valuable peace of mind that most holiday mishaps will be covered so you won’t lose out financially. That said, it’s worth getting to grips with what your rights are when something does go wrong, so you know whether to approach your insurer to help resolve things, or whether you need to get in touch with your airline or holiday provider instead.
Here, we look at some of the most common problems holidaymakers come up against, what your rights are, and who to approach for help.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, we have partnered with Staysure to provide you with first class travel insurance, tailored to suit your needs. There’s no upper age limit and they’ll cover most pre-existing medical conditions. You can also take advantage of their 20%‡ discount, just quote RSTL at checkout.
‡Discount applies to the base premium of the policy only and not to medical screening costs or add-ons where relevant. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
What if I get Covid or another illness before my holiday and am unable to go?
If you need to cancel your holiday because you’re ill or have had an accident, and your doctor has said you’re unfit to travel, then you should be able to make a claim on your travel insurance if you’re unable to postpone your trip to a later date.
In order for the Covid cover on your policy to be valid, you’ll need to have had all the recommended Covid vaccinations offered to you, or be medically exempt from having them as per your medical records.
Travel insurance won’t however cover you for cancellation costs if you decide you don’t want to travel, but are still able to, or if you were advised not to travel before taking out cover.
What if my airline goes bust before I travel?
If your airline goes bust before you travel and you booked your flights as part of a package holiday, it is the package organiser’s responsibility to make alternative arrangements free of charge. If no suitable alternative is available, you will be offered a replacement holiday or a full refund for the price of the package holiday. If you’re already abroad when it goes bust, your provider should make arrangements to bring you home at the end of your trip.
A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said: “If you booked your flights directly with the airline you will need to make alternative arrangements. If you paid for your flights with a credit or debit card, you should contact your card company to find out about recovering your money. You should also contact your travel insurance provider to see if your policy covers this circumstance.
Some travel insurance policies offer cover for airline failure as standard, or you may be able to purchase it as an optional extra. Staysure, for example, includes ‘end supplier failure’ as standard on all its comprehensive travel insurance policies and you can claim up to £3,000 per insured person if a booked supplier fails, so you won’t be left out of pocket. This will protect you not only if your airline goes bust, but also if your hotel, train operator, Euro Tunnel, campsites or any excursions collapse.
If you’re able to rebook your holiday, your insurer may be able to move the travel dates on your policy without you having to buy cover again. Staysure can move your policy start date as long as it falls within 18 months from the date you bought your policy, or 24 months if you’re eligible. Bear in mind that there may be a charge for changes to your policy.
What if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
If your airline cancels your flights, you are entitled to either a refund or new flights from your travel provider. You should get in touch with the company you booked your flights with to see if they can offer a refund or alternative flights.
If you’ve booked your accommodation separately, you should get in touch with your provider and see if you can cancel or move it to a new date. If they are able to accommodate you at another time or provide you with vouchers for use in the future, you won’t be able to make a claim on your travel insurance. However, if they can’t do this and your booking isn’t refundable, you may be able to make an insurance claim to recoup your costs.
If your flight is delayed, you should be covered by your travel insurance policy. This means you will be covered if you’re delayed due to a strike or industrial action, adverse weather conditions, or issues with air traffic control, or if your aeroplane has a mechanical problem that is preventing it from taking off. Travel disruption cover should also provide protection if you’ve missed your departure or connection due to a breakdown or accident involving the vehicle you’re travelling in.
What if my luggage doesn’t turn up at the airport?
Your first port of call if your baggage is missing should be the airline you’re travelling with. You’ll need to report the loss to them and fill out a Property Irregularity Form.
When hold luggage is lost or damaged in transit, it is your airline who is liable for your losses rather than your insurer. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, there are no rules about how much compensation you should receive and it will depend on the value of what you’ve lost. It says the maximum you could receive will be around £1,000, although it would be very rare for you to receive this much.
If your luggage is delayed rather than lost, again the airline should reimburse you for any essentials you need to buy while you’re waiting for your things to arrive. If your airline refuses to pay out the true cost of what your delayed or damaged bag has cost you, contact your travel insurance company and see if they can help.
If your baggage is stolen while you’re on holiday, you should report it to the police, so you can get a crime reference number. You will need this to make a claim on your travel insurance policy.
Can I cancel my travel insurance policy?
If you’ve decided not to travel for any reason and want to cancel your travel insurance, you’ll only be entitled to a refund if you cancel within the 14-day cooling off period after purchasing cover. If you’d prefer, you might be able to opt for a voucher to use when you re-book your trip rather than a cash refund.
Whether you have any health conditions or not, travel insurance can provide valuable protection against financial losses in case things go wrong unexpectedly. Although you aren’t legally required to have it, not having cover could prove an expensive mistake if you need medical treatment, or if you have to cut short or cancel your trip.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, we have partnered with Staysure to provide you with first class travel insurance, tailored to suit your needs. There’s no upper age limit and they’ll cover most pre-existing medical conditions. You can also take advantage of their 20%‡ discount, just quote RSTL at checkout.
‡Discount applies to the base premium of the policy only and not to medical screening costs or add-ons where relevant. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
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