Annual Holiday Insurance

[Chilly]

Any recommendations esp since the Ash issue?

 

[2Tiggies]

Direct Travel was looking pretty good in that regard - there was a thread (I think it is now on page 2) about it with links to their policy info and statements re. ash. I think the thread was called Found Travel Insurance that will cover volcanic ash - or something like that.

 

[wayneg]

I had top policy with Insure & Go but wouldn't pay out when I needed it with volcano at Easter. Trying Marks & Spencers now but hope the volcano issues are a think of the past.

 

[Chilly]

Direct Travel was looking pretty good in that regard - there was a thread (I think it is now on page 2) about it with links to their policy info and statements re. ash. I think the thread was called Found Travel Insurance that will cover volcanic ash - or something like that.

Thanks I've gone with Direct Travel.

 

[Katies Dad]

Hi
Sorry if I`m missing something, but Direct Travel will only pay out under section 7 & 8 on their policy for `Ash problems` which is missed departure or flight delay (which is £20 for after 12 h ours then £10 for each 12 hours upto £200 max) they don`t offer any other type of cover such as accomodation etc..
Don`t all policies pay out after a 12 hour delay? sorry if I sound a bit vague but not sure how they differ to other travel policies.

Columbus and Aviva seem to be offering additional add ons to cover delays is stuck abroad.

We have used Direct Travel in the past - made a claim in 2002 and they were brilliant so can`t fault them there, but was wondering what else they offer?

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Don`t all policies pay out after a 12 hour delay? sorry if I sound a bit vague but not sure how they differ to other travel policies.

We expected Insure & Go to pay out but they wouldn't. They just gave me the address of their complaints dept.

 

[Katies Dad]

Didn`t know that, just thought they would all pay out under this `section`.

 

[wayneg]

Didn`t know that, just thought they would all pay out under this `section`.

Seemed a clear cut case to me, all I wanted was the £25/12hours, wasn't bothered about hotels, car hire, food etc as we enjoyed our extra 4 days, I just wanted the compensation I believed we were due under this section but no, Insure & Go (and many others) said their underinsurers were refusing to pay anything.

A list here from last month where the companies stand, not sure if any have changed.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/insurance/travel/article.html?in_article_id=504416&in_page_id=37

 

[Twilight Terror]

A list here from last month where the companies stand, not sure if any have changed.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/insurance/travel/article.html?in_article_id=504416&in_page_id=37

Oh, thanks for that link Wayne. We did the same as you last year - Insure and Go's top policy, but it will be up for renewal before we go away in September. I won't be renewing with Insure and Go, that's for sure. I already have a M&S card, so might look into that. But at least I know who NOT to bother even looking at! That will make life a whole lot easier!

 

[Katies Dad]

Thanks Wayne, hadn`t seen that list before. Its all giving me a

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi Katie's Dad, is your head feeling better now?

I have been reading through the policy terms for Direct Travel insurance. Under delayed sections 7 and 8 missed departure and abandonment pay out quite well (delayed departure covers you nominally for refreshments I usually interpret it ) as if you still intend flying you don't need to cover the cost of your tickets which you would if you missed or abandoned a flight. This is pretty standard. Now abandonment is not likely to happen stranded abroad, unless you were to see fit in the circumstances to cancel with your airline and rebook with another due to availability. Many found themselves in this position at Easter.

I think this is where the distinction between DIY and package really comes in and I therefore assume you are talking about a DIY holiday.

What add ons do Aviva offer in this regard? Sorry, I haven't looked it up as my head is also spinning tonight but from work, not from insurance.

 

[Katies Dad]

Hi 2Tiggies

Thanks for the info, I`m still baffled by it all. Direct Travel I know are a good company but what I`m not sure is - if we were stuck in Florida would they pay accomodation, car hire etc? we are a DIY holiday (Us Airways flights and accomodation thru Lowcost holidays)

This is the info about the Aviva add on: it seems they would make a payment for every 24 hours you are stuck at the other end..which would cover all incidentals! not got a quote yet though.

From 1 June, customers who are buying or renewing annual or single-trip policies from Aviva will be able to buy additional travel cover to protect against cancellation caused by airspace closure, or by an airport or port being closed for more than 24 hours from the date and time of scheduled departure.

Existing Aviva travel policyholders can buy the add-on during June only (although the cover will extend until the end of the policy) by calling 0800 051 3606 or visiting Aviva's website, while new customers can buy it anytime.

The additional policy – which costs £5 per insured person for a single trip or £10 per person for annual insurance – provides cover of up to £5,000 per insured person in the event of cancellation for travel and accommodation costs (including deposits) that policyholders cannot recover from their travel provider.

If policyholders cannot return home to the UK because airspace is closed or because an airport or port they are scheduled or rescheduled to travel from or through is closed, the policy offers two options. The first is to pay out £100 per insured person for every 24 hours that the policyholder is unable to return home. This is irrespective of any help given by the travel provider or airline, but is subject to a maximum of £1,500.

The second is to pay out up to £1,000 per insured person for any "necessary and reasonable" travel expenses where after 24 hours you unavoidably have to make immediate alternative arrangements to get home, which your holiday provider cannot arrange. It will also pay for emergency medical supplies required to prevent a deterioration or exacerbation of an existing condition.

 

[2Tiggies]

Now to be frank, the Aviva looks like it offers slightly better cover for DIY in respect of ash cover with the add on policy. BUT, before taking that as final, people were discussing an add on with Direct Travel which I understood (or misunderstood ) also to be related to ash incidents. So it MAY be available with them too, but I have printed everything off their website (42 pages) and have been reading it and looking things up like I am doing a thesus .... and cannot find any option for add ons. I don't know what I am missing. To keep things in perspective, the chances of ash being an issue are not what they were a month ago. Anything could happen and it may not be ash - there is just no way of knowing and I don't think there is a policy out there that covers for absolutely every eventuality. Travel entails taking a certain amount of risk and you just have to assess what offers the lowest risk for you. I am still quite happy to go with Direct Travel - haven't booked it yet, because I am a researcher by nature and like to leave no stone unturned. Looks like this thread could turn into a discussion for the two of us but hopefully we can help each other out. Let me go back to DT online and look again.

 

[Katies Dad]

Hi

Another link for Aviva http://www.aviva.co.uk/volcanic-ash-update/ answers some more questions hope it works.

I spoke to Direct Travel and there is no add on they just offer coveer under sections 7 & 8 of their policy. So in theory there is no volcanic ash cover its just they are paying out under the delay bit (where it seems some are not)

I did ring Aviva the other day with a quesion (can`t remember what it was now) but they don`t have uk call centre - so I will be honest it was very hard to understand the person on the other end of the phone

I think I`ve made a decision then I change my mind! and start all over again at this rate we will have been on holiday before I get it sorted.

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi

Another link for Aviva http://www.aviva.co.uk/volcanic-ash-update/ answers some more questions hope it works.

I spoke to Direct Travel and there is no add on they just offer coveer under sections 7 & 8 of their policy. So in theory there is no volcanic ash cover its just they are paying out under the delay bit (where it seems some are not)

I did ring Aviva the other day with a quesion (can`t remember what it was now) but they don`t have uk call centre - so I will be honest it was very hard to understand the person on the other end of the phone

I think I`ve made a decision then I change my mind! and start all over again at this rate we will have been on holiday before I get it sorted.

Well you've just helped my be cementing a decision: I ONLY ONLY ONLY deal with UK call centres. The only time I would need to ring a call centre is if I had a problem or needed advice and get incredibly frustrated when I can't communicate effectively. And yes, I will pay more for this benefit if necessary. The main reason why I have never booked with VH. So thanks, my decision is made and you helped.

 

[Katies Dad]

Glad to be of help, so are you going with Direct Travel?

 

[2Tiggies]

Glad to be of help, so are you going with Direct Travel?

Yes I am. I was pretty much decided anyway, but when I saw there were a few other options I decided to look into them first - always keep an open mind. But Direct Travel is it for me. I am also one of those people guilty of over insuring (actually I over-everything: over-budget, over-cater..... so at least I am consistent ), but with insurance I just think you spend thousands on a holiday - I really don't want to skimp on it to save £20.

Funny thing is that reviews and service are major deciding factors for me with anything and I will most times rather pay more if I believe I will have better or less complicated service.

Have you decided yet or is it just info overload stage still?

 

[Katies Dad]

Greenbee looks quite promising as well. Its John Lewis so should be good. they also offer a good Independent Traveller add on for volanic delays etc.
Quote is more than the ones I have but cover seems better also they pay £30 per 12 hour delay which is a lot better than some.

 

[meldud]

Hi there,

I have had M and S insurance for a while and had renewed it before the whole volcano palava!!

But I use them since a friend was stung by a jellyfish in Cyprus and they were brilliant to him. So I hope if anything should happen to us, we will be covered....except..........

.........all I seem to hear now is how the insurance companies keep moving their goalposts and won't ever pay out for anything! Everytime something happens which means they will have to fork out, they change their policies again.
'We cover everything.....oh .... except in he case of war...oh and flood.....oh and volcanic ash....oh and an act of god (thats vague enough to cover most events)......'
What DO they actually cover??

 

[2Tiggies]

What DO they actually cover??

That's where it becomes tricky. It is strange to me that there is no legislation in place to protect the consumer's rights in this respect.

They cover for things that fall under specific clauses. However AFTER an unforseen event, each insurance provider decides how to classify said event. For example some insurers like direct line treated it as weather disruption and therefore DID cover it as it fell under one of their clauses by default of classification, although it was not specifically mentioned. Others (I think AXA was one) classified it as "disruption" and got out of paying claims by stating that they had no clause for disruption.

You can go by what you do know, but you can't predict how they will respond to something unforseen.