Holidaymakers affected by the global IT outage are being advised to check their travel insurance policies for potential coverage. With school holidays in full swing, many families’ plans have been thrown into disarray.
MoneySuperMarket Travel Insurance has stated that if a policy includes travel disruption cover, it may be possible to claim for any disruptions or losses incurred due to delays or cancellations. This could potentially include costs for alternative accommodation or other expenses such as travel, food and drink, and in some cases, even the full cost of the holiday if travellers are unable to proceed with their plans.
However, the website cautioned that not all policies include this as standard, and the level of cover, conditions and exclusions can vary between providers. Therefore, it is crucial to check with the insurer first.
A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) sympathised with those affected, saying: “We can appreciate that it will be very stressful for anyone whose travel plans have been impacted by the IT outage.”
They added: “If your travel insurance policy includes cover for travel disruption then costs that you might incur as a result of travel delays or cancellations, and that are not recoverable from elsewhere, should be included. In the first instance, refunds should be sought from the airline, accommodation provider or tour operator and any bookings made through a credit card may also have recoverable cost protection.”, reports Wales Online.