Holiday insurance

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Jack by the hedge, Apr 12, 2007.

  1. Jack by the hedge

    Jack by the hedge Gardener

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    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.
     
  2. mef750

    mef750 Gardener

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    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
     
  3. Tropical Oasis

    Tropical Oasis Gardener

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    AAAAhhhhhh Egypt lovely, I'm going back there for 3rd time running in end May for 2 weeks to Sharme el Sheikh [​IMG] :cool:
     
  4. Waco

    Waco Gardener

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    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!
     
  5. Jack by the hedge

    Jack by the hedge Gardener

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    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!
     
  6. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    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.
     
  7. Tropical Oasis

    Tropical Oasis Gardener

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    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! [​IMG]
     
  8. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Hi mef750

    It has probably all been said before but if they had insurance they should get everything back except the insurance payment - unless they knew she was pregnant when they booked the holiday. Most holidays that are booked through tour operators are only booked on condition that you have insurance. It is usually better to take out an independent insurance as it is normally cheaper and is covered by the insurance ombudsman - which most insurances booked through travel agents aren't, YET.

    Like Waco, we get our holiday insurance free through our bank account but if anyone gets this you must remember to read the small print. Some of these freebies are good and others have some peculiar exceptions. Also like Waco, I have some issues with insurance companies about small print. Having said that, insurance (usually) means peace of mind but you need to shop around and, again, read the small print. If you don't like something it says then query it and try and get them to change it. They usually say that it doesn't mean the bad things that you think it means:liar: [​IMG] so get them to put it in writing.

    If you don't have insurance I think you would have a good argument that you should only lose your deposit if you don't want to rebook. This is considered to be reasonable. It always says that deposits are non-returnable and this should cover the cost of the travel agent and/or tour operator for their work. They some times try to argue that they need more because they might not be able to sell your holiday. I think this is a load of 'whatever'.

    I happen to be a crotchety old b....... and put my foot down. [​IMG] I've taken insurance companies, tour operators, power companies, estate agents, solicitors etc to court (for other people as well as myself) because I don't like the way big organisations try to walk over us little people. Whoops, I better stop ranting!! :mad: [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  9. mef750

    mef750 Gardener

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    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. [​IMG] [​IMG]
    MEF750
     
  10. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    I'm pleased they have got something they like. [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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