WARNING Budget Direct Annual Policy

[Ansett]

My Mother unexpectedly passed away yesterday in the UK.

I have booked flights to attend the funeral however we also had flights and accommodation booked for Adelaide through Qantas, both of which are non refundable.

I contacted Budget Direct to make a claim and was in formed that my claim is not valid.

My mother is a resident of the UK and died in the UK and Not Australia, therefore the event is not covered and no claim will be entertained.

I am not screaming and carrying on just posting so that others may be aware of this and double check that they will not have the same issue.

I did not read the the terms and conditions deep enough and accept it is a case of buyer beware.

 

[docjames]

Wow sorry to hear that makes a not nice situation worse. A useful warning.

There are also age restrictions for (the deceased) relatives and return travel / resumption of travel cover with many policies.

 

[Ansett]

Just to add to this

I spoke with Qantas and advised the situation and they re going to refund the airfares in full on compassionate basis.

American express are going to cover the accommodation.

Makes Budget Direct seem a little petty in my eyes.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry to hear of your loss Ansett.

Would you have been covered for the domedtic flights and accommodation if you had a policy with another company?

 

[docjames]

Just to add to this

I spoke with Qantas and advised the situation and they re going to refund the airfares in full on compassionate basis.

American express are going to cover the accommodation.

Makes Budget Direct seem a little petty in my eyes.

Great result in the circumstances.

 

[Buzzard]

May I offer you and your family my condolences Ansett.

Regarding annual insurance, I just purchased for +1 and I a policy each with TID for under $600 for 2 using a 10% off coupon that I found using Dr Google. How good the policy is I hope to never find out.

 

[Ansett]

Sorry to hear of your loss Ansett.

Would you have been covered for the domedtic flights and accommodation if you had a policy with another company?

Hi John I checked one of my old TID Policies and this was not a restriction so yes would have been covered with them.

 

[Ansett]

Again I am pleasantly surprised, the accommodation is non refundable and have spoken with Qantas Hotels and they are going to try and negotiate with the hotel and have the money fully refunded.

Whilst it is not guaranteed I thought it was a great gesture on behalf of Qantas Hotels.

 

[Solid]

I've had a similar experience with Qantas Hotels where I had to cancel a three night work booking and try to rebook for a week later due to a family illness. I didn't tell them the reason but they went out of their way to help.

Unfortunately the hotel refused to play ball - then had the hide to ask me via Qantas Hotels if I wanted to book with them the following week.

Of course I said no and will never book again with that hotel.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The age issue is also a trap. My father is 90, and I can't find any travel insurance company that would cover me for expenses if I had to cancel/curtail a trip because of his death/illness.

They do cover me for cancellations due to death/illness of a close relative - provided that relative is not aged over 80. After that milestone - no chance.

 

[kpc]

Condolences Ansett on your loss. Last year, when my grandmother died, Hilton coughet and Conrad Macao refunded non refundable bookings. Qf allowed me to cancel award bookings without any points penalty. ....and all companies just took my word and didn't ask for her death certificate. it was much appreciated.

 

[yesbuds]

Covermore do not have an age Restriction

 

[love_the_life]

Very sorry to hear of your mother's death, Ansett. Thoughts are with you and your family. It sounds like QF has done a good job; thanks for the heads up on Budget Insurance.

 

[opusman]

Do you have any credit cards with travel insurance attached? Might be worth checking if you can claim through that.

 

[Ansett]

Do you have any credit cards with travel insurance attached? Might be worth checking if you can claim through that.

Hi opusman Yes I used American express and they indicated that a claim would have been successful with them, Fortunately as QF have very compassionately refunded all charges there is no need to make any claims.

 

[lathiat]

Side note.. on this topic, many policies also require you to declare medical conditions of not only yourself, but any relatives that may fall ill while you are away and thus be covered under the policy.

that fineprint really is important. my ANZ card insurance also disclaims accidents that occur while under the influence, that could easily be a slippery slope.

 

[dajop]

that fineprint really is important. my ANZ card insurance also disclaims accidents that occur while under the influence, that could easily be a slippery slope.

I think mine has an exclusion relating " any illness or injury resulting from active engagement in any illegal act" , so in many countries better be careful that you cross the road in a legal manner, because if you are hit while crossing the road illegally (jay walking) that could be an out for the insurance company. Also I guess covers speeding in a car etc.

 

[Ansett]

To close out this thread I am pleased to confirm that all monies have been refunded to my Credit card. A massive thumbs up to Qantas.

 

[Cliveden]

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear of your loss - awful when you're so far away.

I had exactly the same thing happen when my father passed away last year, and I had to cancel an overseas trip that had been booked and paid for in full. When I investigated further, it seems like most travel policies here in Australia have the same exclusions.

I took advice from a friend in another insurance company, and on her advice I challenged the company - apparently it is standard industry practice to deny the claim in the first instance.

I was prepared to refer the case to FOS (Financial Ombudsman Service) as the costs were well over $1000, yet the insurance company paid the claim in full less the standard excess after just one email.

It's worth a try - good luck!

 

[bobw]

I've found that the service providers can be quite understanding. I was due to travel to Japan a few days after the tsunami. All of our accommodation was prepaid and non-refundable. I contacted Qantas and got our fares fully refunded. I also called all of the hotels and received full refunds. I also cancelled our travel insurance (Allianz) for the trip as it was not necessary.