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“Trailfinders Travel Insurance - Beware!”

written by Kirbyly63 on 04/01/2017

I recently used Trailfinders (Ireland) for a holiday to China. The tour was run by Collette Tours, who were extremely professional.

Trailfinders offered Travel Insurance at the time of booking. This seemed like a convenient option and I agreed to purchase it. I think it was €77 for me, a single traveller. On the trip I lost my prescription sunglasses which cost €320. I reported this to the Collette Tour Manager. On my return I submitted a claim to the Trailfinders outsourced travel claims company. They advised that because I hadn't reported it to the Chinese Police, I could not claim. Then then subsequently agreed to entertain the claim on the basis that it had been reported to the Collette Tour Manager at the time. They requested a report from the Tour Manager. This was sent by email by the Collette Tour Manager. They then requested that it be sent via the postal service from China. The Tour Manager obliged. I then called to my opticians and arranged for them to provide a copy receipt for the sunglasses. This I posted to the claims handling company. Shortly after they advised they would only pay €46 after the 'policy excess' and 'depreciation'. I think it's disgraceful the trouble to which this travel insurance company put me and the Chinese Tour Manager, when they discount the claim to a fraction of the cost of the sunglasses, an amount which was little over half of the premium I had paid them in the first place.

I recommend travellers avoid Trailfinders insurance. Go to a reputable insurance broker. Brokers are independent and required to put you, the customer first, under the CBI 2012 Consumer Protection Code.