travel insurance advise as would like to cancel trip kto thailand

[lolato]

Hi all! Have booked a trip to phuket for next month. We have travel insurance already but does not cover us for civil unrest( with his credit card). Are we allowed to get another insurance and then cancel the holiday/ exchange? I do not think it would be safe to bring my young children there. Any advice? Thanks

I don't think so - it would probably be seen as a fraudulent claim. I think most travel insurers go by foreign office advice and unless you're visiting Krabi or any of the remote areas (as opposed to Bangkok and beach resorts), the current advice is that it's perfectly safe to travel.

The only way in which you might possibly affected is the curfew (before 5:00am and after 10:00pm,; unless travelling to/from an airport for a flight).

FWIW I have famiy with young children living in one of the beach resort areas and they're absolutely fine.

no, in short. That's fraud and won't work.

there has been a 'no-go' for southern Thailand for years. Krabi is ok and so is Phuket, just stay away from demos. Your kids are in no greater danger than you are. Thailand has a coup every two years or so and you were clearly happy to book.

BTW you might want to check that cover as it doesn't sound very comprehensive.

Thanks for your replies. Was not thinking of doing anything fraudulant! Just wanted info... Cyprus has advised not to travel at all, australia has warned of terroristvattacks... Will never forgive myself if something happens, quite a lot of us going!

you say you have travel insurance through your credit card, is that the only insurance booked or do others in the group have say an annual policy or something like that that may cover it. can you have a chat with your insurer and make them aware of your concerns and see what they say. I have always found insurers to be really helpful and to look into things for me.

We are due to travel to Thailand in July. I have checked with our travel insurance people who say we will not be covered if the Foreign office say not to travel. At the moment Foreign office say to avoid demos etc and that tourists should not be affected, including the curfew if just travelling from airport etc. If the situation remains as it is at the moment, we will still be travelling. Fingers crossed. There is a blog going on at the moment, by someone called Richard Burgess (will check that name)which gives up to the minute info on the situation in Bangkok. If you are just going to Phuket I can't see you being affected.

That should be Richard Barrow

Thanks all. Some of us have an annual holiday insurance. We did not bother as we had it through our credit card. I was not sure if we were able to take another one in case! That was my question really....

remember that there were years when people were warned not to go to London. I worked there for some of those years.

as mentioned, Thailand is always unstable. Stay away from Bangkok.

I agree that no one can plan what can happen to us. I just dont want to go on holiday somewhere risky! No peace of mind then!

You could try to negotiate a different destination with the tour operator but unless the FO declares it a no-go area across Thailand you are unlikely to get money back otherwise. If that happened the TO would offer an alternative or refund rather than insurance, hence why many policies don't bother to cover it.

You don't need insurance to cover civil unrest as long as you booked with an abta covered tour operator. They are required to offer alternative or refund if you are advised by the foreign office to avoid an area. You can't change or cancel for free if you choose not to go though.

Thanks all.so far we cannot exchange... Seems we will be going to phuket!

Even if you paid an arrangement fee ? Remember some TOs did this when Egypt was a problem but FO hadn't declared it no-go. How long until you go, it may be worth another try nearer the time.

I have friends over there and they said that it is not as bad as the western media are reporting, and most people they spoke to were quite happy about the changes that were happening. Try to enjoy your holiday and just enjoy the experience. Would you have advised tourists to stay away from England during the riots? Stay sensible and aware of your surroundings and you will be fine. The locals appreciate how beneficial the tourist dollar is.

Thanks all.difficult to enjoy knowing it might be risky but media always make things worse...wait and see...

I'm booked to go in August. Unless FO advise against, we'll still be going. Political rallies aren't our list of things to do.