Brexit Brief (TIF) March 2019
Please see updated 31/01/2020 brief
The underwriter of our policies, Travel Insurance Facilities (TIF), have advised the following to us back in March 2019, in regards to Brexit:
"We understand that there is still some uncertainty around what will happen on and after the 29th of March 2019. In respect of ensuring customers are treated fairly, we strongly recommend that all policyholders are reminded and prompted to check government advice, travel insurance cover and airline/holiday provider's terms and conditions before travel.
Any policy already issued for travel post-Brexit will remain in place and cover will continue as per the contract at the time of sale. This applies for both UK and EU residents where applicable.
We also understand that many customers will be abroad in EEA countries over the Brexit period and again, we want to reassure them that cover will continue. In the unlikely event that no deal is made and air traffic is grounded, or there are any other interruptions to travel, our stance is as follows for all policy holders:
* If a customer is abroad, we will automatically extend their cover with no additional premium.
* If a customer has a policy in place and is unable to travel, we will offer a full refund or the option to change their travel dates within the usual terms of a policy.
We hope this answers any questions you may have regarding our position in the coming year, however if there is anything else you would like us to answer then please do not hesitate to contact us. www.tifgroup.co.uk"
It is important to note that this TIF guidance, does not state cancellation claims will be paid due to this circumstance. TIF will either refund the insurance premium paid or change the policy dates, if your holiday can't be taken due to Brexit. However, if you do need to change your holiday dates, please note, as we work on a live system, different dates can have different rates.
Further under the TIF policy wording, there may be the ability to claim under ‘abandonment’, depending on the individual circumstances of any claim but Holiday Extras would not be able to confirm or deny if your claim will be accepted, as we do not process claims. They are processed by the Underwriter of your policy i.e. TIF and will be looked at, on a case-by-case stance, as TIF have advised us because this is an unknown event and they have no claims experience on this risk, it would be hard to calculate the risks involved.
Between 01/10/2020 to 31/01/2020, we are offering for TIF Direct and Referral Non Cruise customers (not comparison site policies), a Brexit No-Deal Add-on, which has been designed with this all in mind.
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Brexit Brief (TIF) January 2020
With Brexit happening on 31/02/2020, some travellers might be worried how it will affect their travel plans.
The good news is that Brexit will have no effect on travel plans until 2021. That’s because from the end of January to the end of December we’re in a transition period, during which our rights to travel to the EU stay exactly the same as before Brexit.
We have put together some potential questions from customers and the answers.
Potential Customer Questions
Q: I want to cancel my trip because of Brexit
A: If you’re travelling before 31st December 2020, Brexit shouldn’t affect your trip because we’re in the transition period. That means we can travel to the EU just as we could before.
Q: I’m not sure whether to travel because of Brexit
A: If you’re travelling before 31st December 2020, Brexit shouldn’t affect your trip because we’re in the transition period. That means we can travel to the EU just as we could before.
Q: I’m planning / have booked a trip for next year
A: By 2021 the transition period will likely have ended. That means you’ll probably need to buy an ETIAS, a new EU visa waiver document that costs 7 Euros per person and lasts for three years (or until your passport runs out). Or in the worst case you’ll need a Schengen visa, which costs 60 Euros per person and lasts 90 days. You’ll probably also need some new paperwork if you plan to drive in Europe or take a pet with you.
Q: Where can I get detailed information about the impact of Brexit on my trip?
A: If you search on any search engine for “Brexit Holiday Checker”, or go to
https://www.holidayextras.com/brexit-holiday-checker.html, you can enter the dates you’re planning to travel and where you’re going and it will tell you everything you need to know.
Q: Is my destination in the EU?
A: Countries in the EU and Schengen
- Austria
- Italy
- Belgium
- Latvia
- Czech Republic
- Lithuania
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Estonia
- Malta
- Finland
- Netherlands
- France
- Poland
- Germany
- Portugal
- Greece
- Romania
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Ireland
- Spain
- Sweden
A: Countries in the EU but not Schengen
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Slovena
A: Countries in Schengen but not the EU
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
A: Countries in neither Schengen nor the EU but you can only get to them through an EU country so will need EU paperwork
- Monaco
- Andorra
- San Marino
- Vatican
A: Ireland is in the EU and Schengen but we have a special deal with them called the Common Travel Area from 1923 so whatever happens with Brexit we can still go there and they can come here no problem
- Ireland
A: Everywhere else on earth (that’s 160 of the 195 countries in the world) - travel just as you did before Brexit, nothing changes
MORE INFO: If you do have any further questions, please speak to a team manager.