Have every base covered
In just six months time the UK will no longer be part of the EU. With so little time to go we still don’t know if there will be a deal, or no deal at all. Which is bad news for consumers.
At Which? we’ve already set out our four Brexit tests with our Consumer Charter, however, with no deal yet agreed, it’s little wonder that people are concerned about how they will be impacted by Brexit.
Take holidays for instance. Is it worth booking a trip abroad for after March 2019 when there are still concerns that without a deal any or all bus, coach and even air services to EU countries could be suspended?
The Department of Transport has already warned that if there’s no agreement in place when we leave the EU, then licensed airlines would lose the automatic right to operate air services between the UK and the EU.
There are also fears that if flights do go ahead your rights won’t be the same if you’re affected by a delay or cancellation after Brexit – leaving people out of pocket.
I cannot stress how important it is, if you do book a holiday for after Brexit day, to check the small print in your booking contract very carefully. The government might be suggesting things won’t change in the event of a no deal, but some airline operators are saying otherwise. So make sure you find out what refund clauses are in the contract and what will happen if your flight is cancelled as a result of a no deal.
Also check that every part of your trip qualifies for money back – that’s villa, car hire, anything booked outside the “package” – and that your insurer will cover you if you find yourself in need of medical assistance when abroad as EHIC cards might no longer be valid.
This is all vitally important as the government has said that it’s up to us as consumers to make sure our insurance and ticket terms and conditions are “sufficient to cover possible disruption; and should not expect government assistance in this situation”.
Of course at Which? we find that disappointing, but you must make sure that you check your booking details thoroughly and take out travel insurance at the earliest possible opportunity – don’t leave it to the day of travel.
Send me your consumer queries to askalex@which. co.uk