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AIBU?

To expect a refund?

81 replies

PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:27

Dd was unable to go on a school residential trip due to illness. She was taken ill the morning of the trip and the school called me to collect her and told me I had to take her home. I was told there and then I could expect a full refund.

I have been chasing this refund for a month. Today I've been contacted about an insurance claim they are putting in asking the details of her illness.

I've told the school they should give me the refund regardless of the claim. I was told I was going to get one, now they are saying they aren't sure if they would get the money back from the insurance.

Surely that bit isn't my problem? The school insisted she couldn't go on the trip.
Aibu?

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witsender · 14/04/2016 16:30

If she was ill and unable to go I am surprised that they promised a refund, as they would be unlikely to get one from providers hence the need for insurance. So them waiting for a insurance claim seems logical.

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nancy75 · 14/04/2016 16:30

The school will still have to pay for your daughters space, it isn't their fault your daughter was ill. It is up to the insurance to sort out

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LIZS · 14/04/2016 16:31

Agree you should expect it to come via the insurer not out of school funds.

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curren · 14/04/2016 16:32

I would be really surprised if someone promised a refund. Can you prove they said this?

It seems perfectly normal to wait for the insurance. Why should the school be out of pocket, while its going through?

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:33

The headteacher said it with his two receptionists present at the time.

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nancy75 · 14/04/2016 16:34

Why would the school pay? It's not their fault she couldn't go.

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curren · 14/04/2016 16:37

So you will get the refund, when the insurance pays out. They aren't pretending they didn't say it?

I can't see the issue here.

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:38

Ok now I'm feeling unreasonable. I had an argument all sorted in my head.

They were the ones who insisted she shouldn't go as she was under the weather. Im not talking £20 the trip was nearing £300. I thought they would refund me then claim back the money from the insurance.

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:39

They are saying they don't think they will get the money back

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curren · 14/04/2016 16:40

Why would they take it out of school funds?

It's not their fault. It's the same as if you couldn't go on a holiday if your kids are ill. The holiday company wouldn't pay it for you. Your insurance would (assuming it was covered) and you would gave to wait for it.

I am not having a go, it's a genuine question.

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nancy75 · 14/04/2016 16:41

What was wrong with your dd? Why did they say she couldn't go?

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curren · 14/04/2016 16:42

They are saying they don't think they will get the money back

Cross that bridge when you come to it.

They can't take a poorly child away on a trip. It's not really their choice either.

That's why I am surprised the promised a full refund. There's always a chance insurance won't pay out.

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teacher54321 · 14/04/2016 16:43

I would be incredibly surprised if you got your money back-I've never ever heard of any refund for a school trip of any description. They wouldn't be able to fill the place at such short notice. The school would also not be able to authorise a refund without getting it from the insurance company first.

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:43

She had a temperature on the day and they said she couldn't travel. I was happy for her to go still as she was devastated and risk her being sent home. Yes I'm probably a cruel mum.

The reason I thought the school would refund me was that they were the ones who refused to let her go. She wasn't sick or anything.

Maybe I'm thinking about it the wrong way.

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:45

Also to be honest I wasnt even thinking it when I got the call. The headteacher said it without me even asking.

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Witchend · 14/04/2016 16:49

Ds was ill for his last school trip. He's had an ongoing illness this term and the day before they called me and said they didn't think he would cope. I was in two minds whether to send him anyway as I wasn't sure, but didn't even consider that we might get a refund.

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IceBeing · 14/04/2016 16:51

wtf? I would totally expect the school to have covered the trip with appropriate insurance INCLUDING for cancellation due to sickness. If they didn't bother then its their problem to make up the short fall if someone is turned away.

YANBU

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:52

As I said I didn't even consider it, the headmaster told me he would.

It was a lot of money and took me a year to pay for the trip so I would like it back if he has offered it.

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IceBeing · 14/04/2016 16:55

Were you in a position that YOU could have bought insurance to cover illness? If the school was block booking then you probably weren't. So it is their job to get such insurance.

I am sure this isn't what happened, but what is to stop the school paying for 25 students, getting money from 30 students then sending 5 home sick on the day - with a cheery 'sorry no refunds'....

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ConfuciousSayWhat · 14/04/2016 16:57

Why are you being obstructive to the school? It's got to go through insurers you get your money back the school doesn't lose out.

It's dead money to you anyway as she was supposed to go on the trip

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PotterBot · 14/04/2016 16:59

I'm not being obstructive I've given them everything they need to make a claim?

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Dancingqueen17 · 14/04/2016 17:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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twofingerstoGideon · 14/04/2016 17:12

I don't know why OP is being given such a hard time. If the school decided DD wasn't well enough to go and said OP would receive a refund, it is not at all unreason able for her to expect that.
Obviously everyone on this thread is perfectly happy and able to wave goodbye to £300. There must be some kind of refund policy attached to all school trips and this should be made clear at the time of booking.
OP, YANBU, but i think you should give the school a bit longer to sort it out.

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Drquin · 14/04/2016 17:26

I don't think anyone's happy about waving goodbye to £300.

More that some folk seem to acknowledge this is a situation that is / may be covered by insurance (either communal via school or your own) and there's a process to follow which may or may not pay out.

I'd have preferred that the HT didn't offer a refund straight up, because in probably trying to be helpful at the time, he's offered a wee bit of false hope given that he's got little control over the insurance process.

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teacher54321 · 14/04/2016 17:28

I am sure this isn't what happened, but what is to stop the school paying for 25 students, getting money from 30 students then sending 5 home sick on the day - with a cheery 'sorry no refunds'....

What a ridiculous thing to say! School trips in state schools are not allowed to make a profit. Refunds have to be given if a trip works out cheaper than the estimate given. Schools are not allowed to profit in that way, OP I feel for you, but I think that it is highly likely that it says in the original documentation you signed that no refunds for non attendance whatever the reason Would be forthcoming.

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