No Deal Brexit could see millions Brits hit by travel insurance policies being axed before they fly
MILLIONS of Brits won’t be covered for holidays from April under a No Deal Brexit after an investigation found most travel insurance policies will be void.
Five out of seven leading travel agents admitted they are unable to provide insurance cover in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
With just 58 days until Brexit day just two of the seven companies contacted were able to confirm insurance would be paid out as normal if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.
The investigation - carried out by the Lib Dems - found two insurers stated that travellers would not be covered at all while another three were simply unsure as to whether coverage would continue or not.
It comes after it emerged millions of plane tickets may be cancelled and passports could be invalidated if a No Deal Brexit goes ahead.
The number of flights will be capped to last year’s levels if a deal is not reached, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in line with EU guidance.
But the number of flights planned for the year ahead has already been increased to meet holidaymakers demands, meaning that up to five million tickets are at risk of being culled.
MILLIONS OF FLIGHTS AXED
Families booking trips abroad during peak seasons like the school summer holidays are most at risk, the IATA has warned.
The Airports Council International, the airports body, has suggested that the cap would lead to the loss of 93,000 new flights and could affect nearly 20million airport passengers travelling between the UK and EU.
A cap could also see flight prices spike due to a limited number of seats available.
Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said the latest news showed why the Government must rule out a No Deal Brexit.
He said: “Just when people are booking their holidays, the Conservatives’ shambolic handling of the Brexit process could turn their trips into a nightmare.
“It is a nonsense that the Tory Government appeals to people to contact their insurance companies yet they themselves have been left largely ill-informed and unable to address any uncertainties.
“It is time the Prime Minister saw sense and ruled out a chaotic ‘No Deal’ scenario. Better still, Liberal Democrats want to give people an opportunity to exit from Brexit with a final say on the deal and the option to remain in the EU.”
What are my holiday rights in case of a no-deal Brexit?
THE UK leaving the European Union is unprecendented so it's hard to say for sure exactly what rules will still apply when we leave. Here's what we know about your rights so far:
Travel insurance - Rory Boland from Which? Travel says whether you're covered for Brexit will depend on the policy.
He recommends that you read the small print before taking one out because some may consider Britain's departure from the EU as beyond the company's control and therefore won't provide cover.
Booking on credit card - Normally, bookings made on a credit card are protected by the EU's Consumer Credit Act.
The Government has said that this Act will be written into UK law following Brexit meaning that you should be able to get a refund on holidays booked using a credit card before March 29.
Refunds for delayed and cancelled flights - Customers can claim compensation for disrupted flights leaving or landing in the EU under the Air Passenger Rights introduced by the EU Commission in 2005.
The Government has already said that the legislation will still apply under UK rules after March 29.
But unfortunately, these rules are unlikely to cover cancellations due to Brexit which would count as an "extraordinary circumstance" and therefore out of the airline's control.
Package holidays - These offer the most security when it comes to booking your post-Brexit holiday. The Association of British Travel Agents has already promised that if a holiday is cancelled due to Brexit then you'll get a full refund.
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