WIBU/WWYD BIL cancer and wedding.

[Toojudgypants]

Ok, BIL is due to get married in 6 weeks time. The wedding is in Cyprus and we’ve booked to go. We’ve paid the full balance.
Sadly, he’s just been diagnosed with cancer and is going for an op on a couple of weeks. Because of the uncertainty of things and the fact we don’t really know the extent of the cancer and what follow up treatment is likely to be needed - they’ve understandably postponed the wedding.

Our dilemma is that our travel insurance doesn’t cover cancellation for this and we have spent nearly £5000 on going (2 adults, 2 children) it’s meant no holiday this year or next for us other than this.

I feel awful for still wanting to go to what would be his wedding, but equally, I don’t want to lose this money. It also means if they do rebook the wedding, we probably can’t afford to go.

I feel awful. The whole situation is awful. WWYD? WIBU to still go.

I wouldn’t share or post pictures of the holiday or talk about it around them.
If I do go, I think I’ll just feel awful the whole time.

Yeah, we took the insurance out in time. They were saying that we were travelling at different times from different places and couldn’t prove that our holiday was related to the wedding. Also, we’re staying in the hotel over the road from them.

I don't understand why any of that should make any difference to a claim.

If you have paid for accommodation and air fares, and need to cancel owing to the illness of a close family relative ( your husband's brother) then you ought to be covered. Where you travel from and what the event is, has no relevance. It would be the same if it were a holiday with no wedding.

Why won't they pay up?

Yeah, we took the insurance out in time. They were saying that we were travelling at different times from different places and couldn’t prove that our holiday was related to the wedding. Also, we’re staying in the hotel over the road from them

Your quote OP- comments as above.

Punk the OP’s insurance will cover her travelling party. It won’t be linked to the wedding party’s plans or even necessarily third parties not travelling within her family travel group.

So... it may not even cover needed to cancel due to a sick relative at home, who wasn’t even party to the travels.

Hopefully the tour operator will be a bit more helpful. They at least have their customer service reputation to upkeep.

I'd speak to them and ask about a bigger room / suite for the kids if you could.
It's heart breaking for all concerned.

move some travel insurance will cover you for the serious illness of a close relative OR the same if they are part of the travelling party. For example, travel insurance I've used before would have covered me for cancellation had my partner, parents or a close family member been seriously ill / died and I could not go away because of it.

I know Punk (mine does too) but that doesn’t happen with all policies and seems not to here. Sadly.

OP I would appeal to the hotel/operator and see what the options are.

Hope your BIL’s treatment goes well.

I think you should discuss it with the couple, I should think they will tell you to go.

Contact the travel companies. In cases like this most are amazing if you have evidence. When my son had an out of the blue emergency brain tumour operation I got either immediate refunds or could "bank" my purchase for later x

Did you pay by card ? it may be worth getting in touch with them to see if they can refund you if you cancel the holiday with the travel company

Why would they do that? There is no reason OP can’t travel, other than not having good enough travel insurance. Section 75 and chargeback are for when companies can’t provide a service, not for you changing your mind about travelling.

Not sure anyone is still n
Reading. Thanks for the advice so far.
Update: we’ve had a chat with Pils and BIL.
Pils have said they don’t want to go as want to stay behind and support BIL.
BIL and Sil have said that in no way should we feel guilty about going.
I’m in discussion with the travel agents we booked through about changing g the booking and they’re being helpful. Travel insurance have been heartless. They have every right to maintain their stance but they’ve shown no compassion at all, with any level of staff I’ve spoken to.

If we can’t move the holiday, we’re going to go.

Things are looking more positive. After further appointments and info, this cancer has a high surgery success rate. We have everything crossed for a full recovery.

I’m glad everything is looking positive

more positive

I'm glad you can change it, I think I'd prefer a different place otherwise it would make me sad. I'd be thinking of them too much and how they would have enjoyed x and y.

£5K is a lot for Cyprus, I know it well, but if you transfer it you've got a great budget for somewhere else.

We did 5* all inclusive in the Caribbean for less than that for 2 adults and 2 children and it was incredible.

Can I just say that in 6 weeks Cyprus will not be warm. It's already dropped to 25 and will be much cooler again in 6 weeks. It's really not a winter sun destination and most things will be closed for the season. I'd either move the dates to after May or pick a sunnier climate.

Good that BIL got some positive news .From what you say I think BIL would feel quiet guilty that you were losing all that money .

Thanks everyone! Yes moving it from Cyprus would be good. SiL worked out there for a while so it was an important place to her. Would be nice to get somewhere warm😊