ABTA & ATOL Protection
Your best protection is to buy holidays from an ABTA and ATOL bonded tour operator. Carrier is a member of ABTA, abiding by the ABTA Code of Conduct, you’ll also be reassured to know that package holidays sold by Carrier are financially protected by ABTA’s financial protection scheme as well as ATOL which covers all flight-based packages.
This financial security means if a company or their supplier failed or the holiday booked cannot be provided (including Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice against travel due to COVID-19) you would be entitled to a full refund of the cost of the package if you were yet to travel and would also include hotel costs and flights home if you were abroad at the time of the financial failure. It’s worth remembering if you book your own flights directly with airlines they are not protected under the ATOL scheme. If the holiday can be provided and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice is safe to travel but you are unable to travel (including due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or an official instruction to medically quarantine by a treating doctor having been directly exposed to some diagnosed with COVID-19) you will only be financially protected through an adequate travel insurance policy.
As government advice changes and holidays abroad resume, we understand people may have concerns about the risks posed by coronavirus – and the problems they may face getting adequate insurance. Wherever you’re travelling, getting the right travel insurance at time of booking is one of the most important things to do. It could save you and your family a lot of money and difficulty if things go wrong before or during your trip. Many insurers have introduced COVID-19 exclusions, but there are some specialist companies that offer bespoke policies that include extensive COVID-19 cover; including cancellation prior to travel should you be required to medically quarantine, curtailment of your trip and medical expenses whilst abroad.
It is worth noting that if the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office warning is still in place for the country you’re travelling to, it has the effect of invalidating almost all travel insurance policies, so we do recommend checking the latest FCDO advice here.
Whilst you hopefully won’t have to make a claim, it is a requirement of booking with Carrier that you hold adequate travel insurance cover. Ensure your policy includes both medical expenses and cancellation cover due to you being diagnosed with COVID-19. Many policies have a low limit on cancellation cover (the sum insured should cover the full value of the booking), so when it’s safe to travel you can do so with complete peace of mind.
Campbell Irvine have been arranging travel insurance to destinations around the world for over 40 years. They are independent specialists in arranging bespoke cover, specifically tailored to individual requirements; never relying upon off the shelf solutions, but instead use their knowledge and expertise to exceed the needs of their clients.
If you do not have adequate insurance cover for a trip, please feel free to contact insurance broker Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734 or email [email protected] for a personal quote.
Carrier Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd. who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the FCA's register by visiting the FCA's website at www.fca.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 111 6787.