Travel insurance that fails to deliver

[Nitty Gritty]

I've Holiday safe bike travel insurance. Email from them today saying you're not covered for any cancellations made based on following Foreign Office Advice not to travel. I've tickets for two people travelling return Plymouth to Santander to Portmouth mid May to early June with bikes/ cabins etc on the Pont Aven - Brittany ferries. Brittany are likely to extend their cancelled sailings, presently to 20th April, nearer the time which should result in a refund. Thought Holiday Safe were the dogs nuts, turns out when push comes to shove, they're a pile of shite. I suppose better to find out now when I probably don't need them than when I'm in a muddle and the only option is to rely on an insurance company and they riggle.

[virginiajim]

I've just recently got f'd by my travel insurance.  Doesn't cover pandemics.

[PRD]

Insurance companies love to take your money as long as they feel they won't have to pay out.

[O.C.]

I had to cancel a ferry and hotel booking to England for late this May .... The ferry company P&O were very accommodating and changed my ticket to an open ended one which I can use within the next 12 months

I have sailed on the Pont Aven, (From Cork) it may be worth your while to speak with the ferry company to see if they offer any alternative

[ChrisB]

I've Holiday safe bike travel insurance. Email from them today saying you're not covered for any cancellations made based on following Foreign Office Advice not to travel. I've tickets for two people travelling return Plymouth to Santander to Portmouth mid May to early June with bikes/ cabins etc on the Pont Aven - Brittany ferries. Brittany are likely to extend their cancelled sailings, presently to 20th April, nearer the time which should result in a refund. Thought Holiday Safe were the dogs nuts, turns out when push comes to shove, they're a pile of shite. I suppose better to find out now when I probably don't need them than when I'm in a muddle and the only option is to rely on an insurance company and they riggle.

All insurance companies are the same and unfortunately it is clearly stated in their terms and conditions that they will not accept claim resulting from following any government instructions. A pandemic is treated the same as a war by insurance companies and have never paid out. Nothing new just not understood. I have cancelled holidays to Italy and N Ireland for the NW200 and so far been refunded by Booking .com for the house rentals but P and O will only defer the crossing with a credit note for 12 months. If you are on the cheapest ferry option their is no option but the more expensive flexi bookings can be cancelled and refunded. Check your agreement paperwork. For Italy I have lost my deposit as I cancelled before paying the full amount. But hey there are people who have suffered a lot more than me.