Holidays may be coming but don't let your guard down, according to financial guru Martin Lewis. While excitement and anticipation may be the order of the day, the MoneySavingExpert says that holidaymakers should also take care of the paperwork when it comes to travel. He went on to issue a warning about insurance for anyone planning to go on holiday this summer.
During his Tuesday evening show, the consumer champion offered advice to a woman named Rita, who had emailed in about a battle she was in with her travel insurance provider. The grieving woman explained that her son had died before he had gone on a holiday she had booked.
When Rita cancelled the trip she expected to receive the money back from the insurance company. A reporter from Liverpool Echo watched the show and said that Rita believed that she had followed "all proper procedures" when contacting the travel insurance firm.
READ MORE: Secret Spanish code word for British holiday makers - and it's not a compliment
Jumping in with some advice, Martin Lewis advised Rita what she should do next. He said: "It's a horrible situation to be in. You've done absolutely everything right and one would hope the travel insurance company would treat you with a bit more care."
Mr Lewis added that: "If you're not getting that refund, you need to understand why."
According to the Mirror, the financial advisor then said that many people "don't realise" that the travel insurance industry is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) , which "means you have a right to take the travel firm to the financial ombudsman." He recommended that Rita write to the FCA to make a formal complaint about the lack of refund.
Martin explained that this course of action was free and only required people to fill in a form online. He added: "You don't need to write fancy language, you don't need a lawyer."
He was then reported as issuing an urgent warning for holiday-goers booking their upcoming breaks. He advised them to book their travel insurance sooner rather than later, saying: "So many people have booked their summer holidays but haven't got travel insurance".
He continued: "My rule on travel insurance is to get it ASAB, as soon as you book, in case heaven forbid, something happens to stop you going away beforehand."
He urged Rita to make a complaint and fight to get the money back, before warning others: "Everyone else, if you have a holiday booked, get your travel insurance."
After the show, many shared support for Rita online. On Twitter, one person said: "That Insurance company is a disgrace. They need better policies for dealing with bereaved people! Please name them!" Another added: "As if the poor woman hasn't enough to deal with."
READ MORE:
BT Sport pundits give Nottingham Forest, Everton, Leeds and Leicester relegation predictions
Loose Women's Ruth Langsford forced to 'cut off' former host as they return to ITV show
Business started in couple's kitchen to appear on Gordon Ramsay show
ITV I'm A Celebrity Shaun Ryder's health issue left him without eyelashes
