Martin Lewis has warned the “millions of people” hoping to book a holiday this year, as well as those who have already organised one. During an episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV, the money guru said holidaymakers risk losing a lot of money if they don't follow one simple step.
Martin explained how he receives endless emails from people with “heartbreaking” stories of sudden and serious ill-health diagnoses that prevent them from travelling or going on a holiday they previously scheduled. He urged everyone to buy travel insurance as soon as their holiday is booked. Otherwise, your holiday is not covered for unexpected medical emergencies and your money paid is not protected, meaning it could all be lost.
He said the insurance can cost as little as £9, and should be bought as soon as possible after a holiday is booked, the Daily Record reports. The expert explained how it provides financial protection before you even set off on holiday.
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Martin told viewers: “This is a warning. There are millions of people booking holidays at the moment and I need you to understand travel insurance is not just to protect you when you go away. I want you to get your travel insurance ASAB - As Soon As you Book.”
He continued: “Every Spring, I get one or more emails from someone who says something like, ‘I’ve just been diagnosed with a very serious form of cancer’ - or another equally severe illness - ‘I’ve booked my summer holiday, I’ll be having my chemo in the summer so I won’t be able to go, I’ve spoken to the airline, they won’t refund me, I’ve spoken to the hotel, they won’t refund me because I didn’t book it flexibly - what can I do?’”
Martin explained how many people tell him they mistakenly wait to get insurance just before they go on holiday. He then urged people again to get it As Soon As you Book (ASAB), adding: “Please, do not be that person who sends me that heartbreaking email this year. If you’ve booked a holiday, travel insurance can be as little as £9. Get yourself on a comparison site and get yourself some protection so that if you can’t go on the holiday you’re covered not just if something goes wrong when you are on the holiday.”
Cocoa emailed the show with her own holiday tale of woe. She wrote: “I booked a holiday for Christmas last year but I was then medically advised not to fly. The holiday was already paid for and I hadn’t taken out any travel insurance. I’m now being told I’ve lost all the money for the holiday! Is there anything that can be done?"
Martin advised Cocoa: “What I would say is speak to the travel agent or the hotel or the flight company, tell them your situation and ask if there’s anything they can do. Legally though, it is very unlikely that you have any rights.”
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