As the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (otherwise known as the FCO) are at present urging travellers not to visit Mexico, we need to be clear about our rights and whether or not we are entitled to our money back according to the article “If swine flu ruins your holiday will your insurer cough up?”
While swine flu is currently stealing all the headlines, we are alerted to the fact that the problem is such proportions that we ought not to travel to Mexico unless absolutely essential. Should we be concerned swine flu or is it merely a sensational headline grabber milked by the tabloids to sell newspapers? The Foreign Office says we should take note leaving us to cancel our holidays and attempt to get our money back.
If you booked your holiday to Mexico through an ABTA tour operator you should be able to get a full refund. Your travel agent may offer a choice between an alternative holiday destination and your money back checking your travel insurance policy to ensure your new destination is covered by your old policy.
Will you get your money back having booked your holiday to Mexico yourself and not through an ABTA recognised agent? In the event of your flight going ahead you may find the airline unwilling to refund you even if you are following FCO recommendations. Should you have taken out travel insurance the news should be good. Most travel insurance policies will pay out the costs for flights, car hire and accommodation in the event of cancelling your holiday due to official guidance or because of a pandemic.
If you booked your holiday to Mexico but didn’t book travel insurance at the same time you may not get your money back. Many people book their travel insurance nearer the time of their trip for whatever reason. Unfortunately these people may not have any luck in this circumstance. An insurance company may not insure your trip to Mexico now that the FCO are urging us not to travel.
In the event that you have already paid out for your holiday currency the picture might not be as bleak as it initially seems. Your spending money for your travels will be reimbursed by M&S Money in full in the light of having to cancel your holiday.
Any US dollars or Mexican pesos will be reimbursed to the full amount if your holiday has been cancelled in accordance to FCO advice. Whilst this is good news for M&S customers, the news isn’t quite so bright for currency purchasers of other bureau de change outlets as you may be able to return them but you will be charged the standard rate.
There are so many issues surrounding travel and the event of this pandemic. All are focused on avoiding contamination abroad, but what if you catch the virus in this country? In the event that you become infected with swine flu before you were due to set off on your travels abroad, your travel insurance should cover you having to cancel your trip. Check your travel insurance policy documents and your insurance company for further information.