Hi,
I'm interested to discover whether an insurance policy with cancellation cover should influence taking non refundable, verse refundable accommodation.
Of course the conditions required for a refund would need to be met.
Non refundable is generally cheaper by a significant margin.
Thanks in advance.
Read the T&Cs of your particular policy and that will answer your question.
Refundable accommodation may be more expensive, but they usually don't require any particular reason as long as you request to cancel/refund within a certain period prior to the booking commencing. For example, you can just change your mind and request cancellation (within their time conditions) and still get the refund.
For cover under an insurance policy, the conditions to allow payment are much more strict. You can only get a refund if one of their specific 'trigger' events occurs (most of which are supposed to be outside your control), such as sickness or delayed travel due to late flights or death of a family member, etc.
They're two different things. If you have booked refundable accommodation and you need to cancel long before the booking, then you can just cancel it. But if the conditions of the accommodation require you to cancel, say 72 hours of the booking commencing and you need to cancel the day before, then that booking can not longer be cancelled. But if your reason is say, sickness, then you can then claim that on travel insurance to get a refund.
Thanks 'bobbified'. You have addressed the intent of my query.
I'm in the process of booking a week in London , starting on the date of arrival.
My flights are booked and change of mind is not part of the equation. The only reason for cancellation ,I'm hoping, will be one covered by insurance. My insurance is comprehensive, complimentary Commonwealth card cover. They do not cover cancellation due to covid.
In the event of having to cancel ,after paying the $250 excess I will still be $200 plus in front .
Factoring in insurance, minimizes the damage in the event of cancellation.
Thanks for everyone's opinion.
What's your policy excess?
What is the reason for cancellation?