Can companies go back on their word?

Question

Holiday Insurance - baggage delayed 24 hours, policy in bag as not allowed on plane at that time, called Insurance Co. from Spain. Told £100 to spend, when ? anytime before return they said. Lodged claim, now say invalid as not spent WITHIN the 24 hours, policy says ..bla bla.. Any legal arguments you can suggest?

Answer 1

In this sort of situation I always badger them, harrass then by phone, by letter and take names, always ask for supervisors cos they obviously wont be able to help you, complain when they tell you that you cant speak to spervisor.

HARRASS THEM.

send a letter to the press and/ or the ombudsman.

Answer 2

Firstly you must read ou policy wording, including the stipulations exclusion to check if the policy defiantly covers you for 24hr baggage delay as some policies do state the money claimed it has to be used within a period of time?, if this is not the case and no time scale is given then you must ring the insurance company and make you claim or obtain a claim form from your broker. Under no circumstances can an insurance company refuse/repudiate a claim if the cover is stated in their wording.

If you have any problems with the Insurance company they will be regulated by the Financial Services Authority and Insurance Ombudsman and under this code of practise they have to adhere to policy wording, failure to do so could result in a big fine.

Answer 3

You sometimes get the impression that any knid of insurance is a big waste of money with all that small print that essentailly tries to take over your life with its exclusions and special conditions. Then when you make a claim, you end up wasting so much time and getting so frustrated you wonder why you let these bastards into your life.

I guess what they are saying is that the payment was intended to tide you over while your baggage was sorted out. It seems a bit petty to have a limit such as this though, and the guy who you spoke to should have made the time restriction clear.

You live and learn. Next time insure with a different company, and make sure you understand, and get in writing, what you are paying for, in plain English.

Answer 4

They can & they often do go back on their word, especially insurance companies, who specialize in TAKING your money & not GIVING IT BACK! Especially applies to foreign insurers, who know you aren't familiar with their Terms & Conditions & can say & do what they like! Future advice, get your insurance in Britain, with a British company, & don't always use the cheapest one. Can't guarantee this'll work, but at least it'll be a British company you'll be dealing with. Hope this helps!!!

Answer 5

It doesn't matter what a bloke on the phone said. If it says in your policy document that it had to be spent within 24 hours then that's how it is unless you can obtain proof that you were told otherwise.

Answer 6

They do it all the time mate. Dealing with holiday insurance is a feckin nightmare. I used to do it. Insurers treat the policyholders like 5hit then complain when the general public call them sharks.

Answer 7

Check the small print. If it's not there you have a case because of what you were told over the phone, but it will be difficult to prove.

Answer 8

Look at the small print on your agreement . . . it should have all the terms and conditions spelled out, from when you purchased it. If it isn't noted there, they might have a hard time enforcing it. You might need to sue them.

Answer 9

if you got it in writing and signed by someone from that company you got legal ground,if not..,ah well everybody can say what they want without being held responsible for it.

Answer 10

it's difficult to fight a contract