Entertainment
Martin Lewis gives his top tips for protecting holiday bookings from Covid
Martin Lewis has spoken about the best ways to guard holiday bookings from Covid over the summer, giving three tips to avoid disappointment.
It comes after the ban on foreign travel from the UK was lifted this week, with Brits allowed to travel abroad for non-essential reasons for the first time this year.
Strict rules and restrictions still remain in place when it comes to international travel. Holiday destinations around the world split into different risk classifications under the government’s new red, amber, and green travel traffic light system, which could be subject to change in the future.
It means that people looking to organise holidays abroad should book with caution, and Martin had some sound advice on The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live on Tuesday.
The first tip was the most obvious – that customers should make sure they’re well covered with travel insurance.
As the financial expert stressed that the majority of policies will cover customers if they catch Covid before they go abroad, meaning they’re no longer able to travel.
‘Most, though not all, insurers will usually cover you for Covid cancellations if you catch Covid before you travel, or the NHS tells you to self-isolate, that means you can’t go,’ he said.
Martin was also at pains to point out that insurance is unlikely to cover customers if travel restrictions change, or if people can no longer afford to quarantine afterwards. He also urged viewers to get a European Health Insurance card if they were going to Europe, which should be free.
The second tip was to try and ensure that the booking is as flexible as it possibly can be. Martin also suggested that package holidays offered ‘strong protection’.
Martin’s tips on protecting holidays during the pandemic
- Customers should make sure they’re as well covered with travel insurance as possible.
- Make sure the booking is as flexible as it possibly can be – package holidays offer ‘strong protection’.
- ‘Pay on plastic’ and book via credit card to ensure.
Martin added: ‘The ability to cancel or change a booking is so important right now, package holidays often from travel agents or travel firms have strong protection. This tends to occur when you’re booking two or more things like your flight and hotel together, or major excursions. If Covid restrictions stop the trip, you’re due a refund within 14 days.’
He went on to say: ‘You should be aiming for free cancellation 24 or 48 hours before you go there.’
Finally, Martin urged people to ‘pay on plastic’ and book via credit card to ensure Section 75 protection, which means the card company is jointly liable for payments between £100.01- £30,000.
The Martin Lewis Money Show is available to catch-up on the ITV Hub.
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