Any experience of HomeAway/travel insurance claim?

[Clouds76]

Hello, I just wondered if anyone had had any experience of trying to deal with a travel insurance claim for a HomeAway booking? We have an annual Elite policy with the Post Office taken out in Dec 19. We’ve got a holiday booked to France end of August. All booked in January with HomeAway, paid final balance 3 weeks ago. Seems very likely that the air bridge may be suspended and therefore we can’t go. Have already checked with the owner and they say they won’t refund - not great but I understand - it was our choice to pay the balance as we thought it was reasonably likely we’d make it over there. Just wondered if anyone else had any similar experience as (obviously given the timing) can’t get through to the Post Office. Just curious really as imagine there are quite a few in this position with France/Spain. Thanks.

I would hang on for now and wait to see if your holiday to France is actually cancelled. If the air bridge is indeed suspended and you cannot go then the contract is frustrated. You should then get a full refund.

How did you pay HomeAway, was it via a credit or debit card?.
If the holiday is cancelled I would consider claiming a refund back through your credit card provider in the first instance rather than trying to claim through travel insurance. HomeAway are mere agents, your contract is with the villa owner and that person should give you a full refund in the event you are unable to travel.

This article from Martin Lewis's Money Savings expert website could assist too:-

www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/#booked

Hopefully you will be able to go still.

We had holiday booked to Thailand and Malaysia and can't go due to covid / both countries banning entry. Unfortunately if we can't get refunds we just lose the money as hotels are open / airline operating and FCO advice is can travel. Thankully a lot of things cancelled and / or refunded. £1600 we've not got back but could have been worse and still chasing that but not looking that hopeful. Very annoying insurance gets out of helping due to FCO advice and small print, bought it in January and booked a year ago.

HomeAway have been shit for us. The owner refused to refund and HomeAway have said it's their decision and they won't help. They have refunded the booking fees but otherwise trying to get a refund through my credit card but I'm not that hopeful.