check the small print on your travel insurance

We have just had to cancel our holiday due to a family bereavement. We thought we were covered for this reading our policy but they have rejected our claim because of a previous hospital stay several months before. What it essentially means is that if you have to cancel or come home early becasue of ilness/death of someone and thst person has had a hospital stay up to 12 months prior you are not covered, even ,as our policy states thereis no need to contact them regarding this. The policy has to be read several times in full and is easily open to misinterpretation. I am just thankful that we had not got to the airport and boarded our plane as we would not have been covered and had to cover our expenses to travel back home.This is the second year in a row this has happened to one of our party so lightening does strike twice. I would hate this to happen to anyone else and urge you to check the small print of your policy, no one knows what is around the corner and you may not be covered for something youassume you are.

I've had some long winded discussion on here regarding travel insurance. For the very season's you've stated here, I rarely bother.

When you read contracts in full, you'll be gobsmacked for how little you are actually covered!!

... and is it me, or have insurance policies rocketed this year!!

bloody small print.

SnowLily, if you believe that the ts & cs were genuinely confusing, or easily open to misinterpretation, then say that to the insurance company ~ but be really precise, do not add any bits and pieces.
Ask that they reconsider, and state that you believe that you have grounds for complaint with the financial ombudsman. (Of course, you will have to wait for their response prior to approaching the FO. You also will need a copy of their reply).
I had a discussion this year, when investingating my annual travel needs. admitedly they were, in some ways complex, but several companies could meet the needs.
In the course of the process, I phoned several companies, and asked detailed queries.
As a result, one company has changed and clarified it's Ts & cs.

Thanks Dave, Complaint has already been raised- we have to wait 40 days for them to respond before contacting FO. What makes us more cross is the letter from them advising us "We understand you may be disappointed.........." er no!We are Bereaved! OH has spoken at great lengths to the complaints dept about how they need to ditch their standard template.
Anyhow hope you had a great birthday and having a great time over there!

Goodluck Snowlily, and sorry to hear about your bereavement. I'm reading the suggestions from Dave Mac with interest, as I too will be making a claim from my insurance co following an accident last month which meant I had to cancel an already-booked trip for this month.

I hope all goes well for you SnowLily but just a general word of caution about T's&C's and claims being knocked back.

As a fairly experienced chap in the insurance world, although not necessary with travel insurance, it is fair to say the way insurance is handled has changed over the years. More often that not with domestic insurance inc travel etc, you will only deal with a telesales or non-insurance experienced person, i.e. not the underwriter or the decision maker.

So my advice, if you think you have been wronged, is not to take no for an answer and follow their complaints procedure. Good luck.