Holiday insurance

I've booked a few days holiday on the Isle of Wight and found, included with my receipt for the deposit, a leaflet from an insurance company informing me that a booking is a legally-binding contract and that if it's cancelled I could be liable to pay for the whole cost.
Although I knew that the deposit was forfeited in such a case I was unaware that a claim could be made for the rest. Surely that information ought to be given when a booking is about to be made.

 

Hi Jack. My son booked a holiday to Egypt for this year, last year. His partner is now pregnant and can't fly when the holiday is due, they thought due to cercumstances they would be able to cancel, they have been told that they can transfer the deposit to another holiday at a later date. Seems to me once they have your money they are not going to let it go!
MEF750

 

AAAAhhhhhh Egypt lovely, I'm going back there for 3rd time running in end May for 2 weeks to Sharme el Sheikh

 

I have been to Sharm, from what I recall about holiday insurance, to some places you are compelled to have insurance, but you do not have to take it from holiday company selling you package, you can shop around. we have free anual holiday insurance withour bank, so we don't need that particular extra.

I have BIG issues with insurance - long story, but I would prefer to put away and be in control of my own money/insurance for rainy days, this way I am nor subjected to "smallprint" exemptions!

 

Congratulations to your son and his partner, mef750.
I suppose that being able to transfer a deposit isn't nearly as bad as losing it completely.
I find it difficult to believe that one becomes liable to the full cost of a holiday in the event of cancellation, though. Perhaps it depends on how much notice is given in order that the hotelier has a chance to re-let the room, in which case the insurers are putting the frighteners on to people in order to get them to part with some extra cash.
I break out in a sweat at just the thought of Egypt. A seed company used to sell a variety of marigold (I think) called Luxor which, according to their catalogue, was the hottest place on earth. I shall make do with a trip to the botanical gardens at Ventnor where, hopefully, kiosks selling vanilla ices can be found!

 

It's lovely at the Botanical Gardens in Ventnor, Jack, and I have some plants here from there. I lived in Bonchurch, the other side of Ventnor from the Gardens.

Just for what it's worth, it can get pretty warm there ... supposedly Ventnor is the only place off mainland Europe that has a gecko colony so you may see one or two scurrying around.

 

I always get my insurance free too with our local travel agent cos been using them for so long. Egypt only 40 c in May/June dry heat lovely can't wait, Red sea like getting into a bath with fish!

 

Hi Shiney. Dont think you was ranting at all, just saying it straight. It was my son's holiday not mine, they have been back to the travel agent and got a good deal on another holiday for next year. deposit and insurance have been moved to there new holiday.
MEF750