Consumer champion Martin Lewis issued a warning to holidaymakers over travel insurance after hearing a viewer's heartbreaking story.
The Money Saving Expert talked about the subject on This Morning and said there was something many people did not know. Viewer Rita had emailed in to say her travel insurance had not paid money she was owed.
Rita's son died shortly after booking a holiday to Tenerfife, forcing her to cancel her holiday. Having followed "all proper procedures", Rita said she had not received the money back.
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Offering his condolences, Martin said: "If you're not getting that refund, you need to understand why." He went on to say that when it comes to travel insurance, many people "don't realise" that it is fully regulated by the FCA as he added: "That means you have a right to take the travel firm to the financial ombudsman."
He went on to say this was free, all you need to do is fill in a form online, reports the Liverpool Echo. He said: "You don't need to write fancy language, you don't need a lawyer."
"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."
However, the money saving expert issued an urgent warning to people booking their summer getaways. He said travel insurance needs to be booked sooner rather than later.
Speaking on This Morning, he said: "So many people have booked their summer holidays but haven't got travel insurance. 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 before hand."
Martin added that he gets many calls and messages saying people cannot go on their holiday due to chemotherapy treatment and other issues, but did not have their travel insurance booked. Speaking to Rita, he encouraged her to make a formal complaint, before warning others: "Everyone else, if you have a holiday booked, get your travel insurance."
Support for Rita came pouring in online as one person took to Twitter to write: "That insurance company is a disgrace. They need better policies for dealing with bereaved people! Please name them!" Another said: "As if the poor woman hasn't enough to deal with."
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