Holidaymakers face refund snub by insurers unless they have GP’S sick note
Travellers who want to cancel over fears they may become virus victims told they must have letter from doctor – but the BMA urges them not to respond to such requests as they are ‘completely inappropriate’
Katie Morley, Sam Meadows Marianna Hunt HOLIDAYMAKERS trying to cancel trips to countries with coronavirus outbreaks could be denied refunds because insurers are demanding sick notes from doctors.
A Daily Telegraph survey of 11 major insurers found at least seven would only consider refunding trips for elderly and ill customers travelling to any country where coronavirus was present if a note was provided by a doctor.
But Dr Richard Vautrey, GP committee chairman at the British Medical Association, urged doctors not to respond to insurers’ requests for sick notes, saying it was “completely inappropriate” to ask customers to approach family doctors. Sick notes will not be required for holidaymakers claiming insurance for trips booked to areas where the Foreign Office has advised against travel.
Travel to areas where coronavirus is spreading is likely to be of greatest concern to parents with young children, elderly people and those with underlying health issues, as medical evidence suggests they could be at a greater risk. Insurers said they had seen a surge in calls about potential cancellations over the past few days.
It came as at least 15 schools in the UK closed and more than 20 pupils were left in isolation.
Ireland’s upcoming Six Nations rugby match against Italy has been cancelled as ten towns in northern Italy are struggling to contain the virus. The Government has recommended people avoid “all but essential travel” to the affected areas.
But Dr Vautrey said: “GPS are not in a position to advise whether patients are fit to travel in this situation and it is not their responsibility to do this.
“Practices are under intense pressure, especially at this time of year, and this is not a good use of GP time, taking doctors away from treating ill patients.
“We would strongly advise our members that they do not need to respond to such requests from travel operators or insurers. The BMA will stand fully behind any doctors who refuse to write such letters.”
He said patients could instead request a summary of their existing health conditions, which practices could supply in return for a fee. It is unclear whether insurers would accept a
generic medical history as evidence that someone was unfit to fly to an affected country, instead of a doctor’s note. Consumer experts advised travellers to check with their insurer before paying for a medical history document.
Axa said it would provide cancellation cover to any coronavirus-affected country if customers provided a doctor’s note confirming they are unfit to travel. LV= said cancellation cover would be available for customers with a doctor’s note advising them not to travel due to increased health risk.
Post Office insurance said customers wanting their claim assessed would need to provide a formal letter from their GP advising them not to travel.
Generally, airlines and hotel booking sites will not refund trips to countries unless the Foreign Office has issued official advice saying people should not travel there.
The Foreign Office has also warned against “all travel” to Hubei Province in China, and “all but essential travel” to mainland China in general.
Package holiday providers are expected to offer refunds or alternative trips if the Foreign Office advises “all but essential” travel to the destination. For trips to countries where no official advice has been issued, holidaymakers who want to cancel trips are unlikely to receive refunds.
Some holidaymakers asked to selfisolate while abroad have since discovered they may not be entitled to compensation or refunds. Insurers said they would consider holidaymakers’ requests for cancellation cover individually, taking into account health concerns. Rory Boland of consumer group Which? said: “People are understandably concerned about how their travel plans will be impacted by coronavirus, and a lack of clear and timely information has left many travellers confused about their options.”
Gocompare, the insurance comparison website, said it had seen a 58 per cent increase in people buying travel cover this week, while Aviva and Axa both said they had experienced a large spike in calls from customers seeking advice on cancelling trips.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter and her husband, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, will not be self-isolating after returning from a skiing trip in northern Italy. The couple’s management said they were following government guidelines and medical advice, and were currently asymptomatic. Nick Robinson, the BBC
Radio 4 presenter, is the latest highprofile figure who has said he will be self-quarantining after returning from a trip abroad. Robinson, 56, said it was “precautionary” after a holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Gwyneth Paltrow posted a photograph of herself wearing a facemask on a flight to Paris from the US. The actress, who appeared in the 2011 disaster film Contagion, joked that she had “already been in this movie”.
A Labour MP warned that the outbreak was causing a shortage of wedding dresses. Chris Bryant said many dresses were imported from China and shops “have found it really difficult because the factories have been closed”. He called on the Government to offer financial support to struggling companies. Mr Bryant said: “Having married many women in my time when I was a vicar, I am aware that this is very time sensitive, and there is a real danger to many of these businesses that they are going to suffer enormous financial loss, let alone to the families.”
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said he was working with the Treasury on an appropriate response to supply chain issues, which he said were also affecting drugs and pharmaceutical firms.