A family booked a rental cottage last summer, arrived safely and just loved the cottage. However, on the second day’s their two week stay, mother got a call to say her father was seriously ill and never likely to live. The family packed up and returned home, but yet, her dad died a few days later. After the funeral, the renter known as the cottage owner and asked what sort of refund she could expect because they had only used A couple of days of the 14 day booking. The dog owner refused to pay any refund using the explanation that she relied on the cottage rental income to pay the costs of her cottage also it was always fully booked through the season. She wasn’t able to find an upgraded rental party in the last minute and because the rental agreement stated; if that was the case no money would be returned. Of course the rental group didn’t have travel cover, which would probably have covered trip curtailment because of the illness and/or death of the close relative. The rental cost the family over $4000 plus they were not able to recover anything of this money.
Many people think that trip insurance is only necessary if there is a flight involved; where delay, lost baggage, and the risk from the airline going bust, is covered; and medical cover is needed in a foreign country. It isn’t considered important, or otherwise considered at all, to purchase insurance to cover a trip taken by route to a self-catering property within the same province or even the same country.
Reconsider! Most cottage bookings are made many months in advance and many things could happen once you have booked to change your circumstances. Illnesses of any member of the traveling party, redundancy or a call to jury service are only a few of the situations that might be included in a travel insurance policy. Several insurance companies also offer a ‘change of mind’ clause, letting you cancel for any reason after a booking has been manufactured and paid in full. This normally pays out an amount sufficient to pay for any cancellation fee the rental agency or owner may apply.
Whenever you book your vacation apartment, look into the property owners or agencies cancellation policies carefully. If it’s unclear, ask the question. Generally, most private owners and rental agencies will attempt to rebook a property if it is cancelled, and refund your money for that period they have rebooked, less a cancellation fee.
The premium paid for trip insurance becomes less significant, the more you’re paying, however it is worthwhile at any price, for your peace of mind.