Dilemma

[Londonerlove]

I’m genuinely torn by my friends predicament. Feeling sympathy on both parts. Hopefully mumsnetters can help!

A very close friend of mine, let’s call her jane, booked a holiday away for herself and another one of her best friends, we’ll call her Mary. The holiday in total cost £3600. She lent mary half of the money as marys mother was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted a break. They have been friends since they were little.
Five days before the holiday Jane gets a cancer scare and was advised to be seen by a specialist within 2 weeks. She was unable to get an nhs appointment so managed to get a private appointment 2 days before the flight. 4 days before the flight she tripped and broke her ankle. She was operated on the day before, needing a metal plate. Obviously the holiday had to be cancelled.
Jane was able to claim her half off her insurance. Mary didn’t get insurance even though Jane had told her to. So Jane is unable to claim back Mary’s half. So Jane is now out of pocket by £1800.
Who should pay?

As it stands Mary originally paid £200 towards it but asked for it back.

Jane has a decent job and still lives with parents. She’s saving for a home at the moment.
Jane was unable to claim for Mary’s half. Insurance wasn’t through credit card but as travel insurance in her name.
No idea why Mary didn’t get the insurance.

There is no way an insurance company would pay out to Mary so forget that.

I feel quite sorry for Mary!

She’s not at fault

I would never dream of paying for someone’s holiday unless the cash was already transferred over!!

Mary's insurance wouldn't have paid out anyway, it wasn't to cover Jane.

Plenty of insurance ompaniew would have paid out and from a contract law perspective Mary owes Jane.

That aside I'm horrified at what a total bitch Mary is.

Why do you feel sorry for Mary? Jane is the one that has had to pay out because of Mary's negligence!

And yes, a decent insurance company would pay out in this circumstance.

I don’t really see why the insurance company would pay out- what was the insurable peril suffered by Mary? Your friend not being able to go?

As for feeling sorry for Mary it really does depend on circumstances. I have a friend who is an absolute bull dozer for this- she wants a holiday, pressurises someone to go with her, books and pays for it then wants the money but honestly the poor friend has barely had any involvement in the process. So I can see why under those circumstances you’d be hacked off then paying £1,800 and not even going.

People who organise and pay for holidays/ trips etc are often a bit like this, I find

Insurance companies do anything and everything to avoid paying out. No way would Mary have made a successful claim on the basis her travel companion couldn't go.

Mary should pay. Its not like she can't go alone if she wants to. She could also try to find someone to go with her. If Mary has a barclays bank account there is a chance she will be insured already. She should check.

Mary should of got insurance, so she needs to pay.

That’s really tricky. I think if I were Jane I might offer a few hundred off the debt but it would be the equivalent of a friend ‘goodwill’ gesture.
If it was easy for Mary to go on the holiday on her own then I wouldn’t offer anything.

Really awkward though. Mary was daft not having insurance. It’s so cheap there is no excuse not to get it.

Insurance companies do anything and everything to avoid paying out. No way would Mary have made a successful claim on the basis her travel companion couldn't go

That’s not true, you can get insurance to cover this eventuality.

You may well be able to but most bog standard policies don't offer it.

I think Mary is a bit of a twat tbh and I definitely wouldn't see her the same. And I sure as hell wouldn't lend her any money if the occasion arose. It is so unfair on Jane and she shouldn't have to pay because Mary fucked up and didn't get insurance.

Delay the holiday for a year - we've done it before !

Failing that the borrower should pay what's owed

But the lender will find it very difficult, legally, to get the money owed back from the borrower unless there was a written agreement.

Comes up time and again on Judge Rinder

Most travel insurance would covet all travellers, they don't force the rest of the people to go, say in a couple, if one becomes ill.
Of course you need to get couples or family insurance cover but it's pretty much the same cost as one person cover.