Holidaymakers rescheduling trips warned to check their travel insurance will cover rebookings
HOLIDAYMAKERS rescheduling trips are being urged to check that their travel insurance will cover rebookings.
Disappointed travellers are having to change the dates of trips due to coronavirus, and it could mean you're no longer covered by your insurer.
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It comes as Which? recently said travel firms including TUI, Ryanair and British Airways were breaking the law by not giving customer refunds.
The problem with rebookings mainly affects customers who've bought an annual travel insurance policy.
Of course, if you've bought single trip cover, you'll need to book it again for your new trip.
But if your annual policy is coming up for renewal, your insurer could introduce new terms that would affect future trips.
Some insurers may transfer the exact same cover, but others won't, Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, told The Sun.
New terms could include an exclusion for coronavirus as a known event, meaning you'd no longer be covered for medical help or travel disruption if it's caused by COVID-19, he added.
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Martyn James, of online complaints tool Resolver, added that renewals are automatic and you have to have four weeks' notice.
But as insurers including Admiral, Axa, Churchill, Direct Line and LV= have pulled out of the market due to coronavirus uncertainty, you risk being left without cover.
One holidaymaker tweeted to Mr Boland yesterday, saying: "Has anyone checked that their insurance will cover a rebook or reschedule?
"I rang mine and they said no, I also know that other companies are saying the same."
Mr Boland told The Sun: "Huge uncertainty has resulted in travel insurers withdrawing a significant proportion of policies.
"This leaves many who have upcoming trips in a very difficult situation.
"If you have already accepted a postponement or credit, contact your travel insurer as they may be able to transfer your existing cover to the new dates and destinations.
"However, we are currently advising consumers not to accept vouchers, as it’s not clear whether they are financially protected, and hold out for a refund instead."
While Mr James added: "If your annual policy does come up for renewal, check it and speak to the insurer.
"Even if pandemics are excluded it's still necessary to take out the cover if you want to go away, because it covers so many other things."
What should you look for in a good travel insurance policy?
TRAVEL insurance policies can vary a great deal, but here are some 'must have' features you should look out for from the Money Advice Service.
- Medical expenses - A good policy will give cover of £1million or more for travel in Europe and £2million or more for the USA
- Repatriation service - The costs of getitng you back to the UK for medical reasons should be covered automatically by your policy
- Cancellation and curtailment - A good policy will cover you for £2,000 or more if you have to cancel or shorten your holiday
- Missed departure - Covers additional accommodation costs and travel expenses up to £500 or more if you miss your flight due to circumstances out of your control
- Delay - You'll usually be covered for £250 or more if your travel plans are delayed due to circumstances out of your control
- Baggage cover - Covers you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Look for policies that have cover of £1,500 or more.
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The pandemic has hit hard against the travel industry, with Ryanair not expecting flights to return to normal for more than two years.
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