Return of monies due to volconic ash cancellations

[snowytheboy]

I am just glad I dont have to rely on rental companies like 'Scrooge & Co' or 'Squeeze em Dry'.

[Gambrinus]

Refunding monies when the volcano first erupted was arguably the right thing to do because it was unpredictable and on an unprecedented scale.
On the other hand, you can also argue that taking out a travel insurance and making sure delay and cancellation situations are covered is the sole responsibility of the person travelling.

At this point, most insurance companies have got their head around whether to class this as a weather phenomenon or a natural disaster and should be able to issue policies that cover travel and accomodation arrangements.

If a person or group have no or insufficient insurance coverage, that should not be made the problem of the owner of the property.

[e-richard]

Unfortunately, Gambrinus, some Insurance companies have now declared the volcanic ash problem as a "predictable" event and thus not insurable

The vast majority of private rental owners that I know would feel awful at having to charge, and would probably work together with the guest to find a suitable compromise on a case by case basis. Mind you, Snowy, its hard to work with a guest who starts from the premise that they have a "right" to a refund (the fact is they do not), so my advice is to watch your words.

[e-richard]

Now here is an example of taking advantage !!!

"Fraudsters are targeting victims of the volcanic ash fall-out with fake emails. The crooked emails claim to offer compensation for disruption caused by the volcanic ash, if a fee is paid"

[EMM]

We had overstayers who through no fault of their own spent an additional week.

A week of power, water, laundry, wear and tear etc. Of course we could not do it for nothing. We agreed a price which they were happy to pay.
They asked for and have been given an invoice in the hope that they will get something back from their insurance companies.

In the past we have had guests who cancelled at the last moment and they agreed that if we could re let at 7 days notice we would part refund. We could not and they lost their money.

During the first ash crisis the insurance companies paid out so unless holiday makers did not bother with insurance ( which some do ) then they should get all or part back.

[Gambrinus]

Unfortunately, Gambrinus, some Insurance companies have now declared the volcanic ash problem as a "predictable" event and thus not insurable

Ha! That is rich!
Aside from your holiday home in Iceland being covered in ash, I don't see how this is any more predictable than other weather phenomenons that prevent travel.
Honestly, if an insurer is that full of sh*t, they deserve to loose clients to the companies that will insure. Companies like the ERV in Germany have no qualms about charging a premium in return for the peace of mind that you are covered.

[Bruce Wallis]

I am just glad I dont have to rely on rental companies like 'Scrooge & Co' or 'Squeeze em Dry'.

I just love clients like you!!!!


I bet you go into a rental villa....nitpick, look for faults and are the client from hell.

Most owners I know have been very sympathetic to clients, and have striven to make alternative arrangements where possible. We certainly have.
The bottom line is that most of us work fairly close to the edge...I dont know anybody who makes alot of money out of rentals. We operate almost on a principle that our profit is our own "free holidays".
So why should we suffer a real financial loss. so that our hopefully insured client doesnt have to??

[EMM]

The client should provide proof of insurance and then a copy of the letter from the insurance company " declining " any claim. After that its a matter of negotiation, alternative dates, partial refunds, discounts etc.
What is to stop anyone from taking your refund and still claiming from their insurance company.
Don,t tell me that such things do not happen, we all know they do.

I am still waiting for my flight refunds, lost my car parking /hotel charges etc. Now waiting for the insurance company to respond.

[bruce]

Poor Bruce is homeless - have a little pity on him

Should I have been affected by the volcano then I would hope my insurance would cover any losses, I would also hope that the villa owner would be sympathetic to my situation, however what can they do if the villa is booked to someone else who got there by other means ? They are in a difficult situation.

[snowytheboy]

e-richard wrote: Mind you, Snowy, its hard to work with a guest who starts from the premise that they have a "right" to a refund (the fact is they do not), so my advice is to watch your words.

Why should I watch my words - I have never said at any time that anybody had a right to a refund.

Bruce Wallis wrote:
I just love clients like you!!!!

I bet you go into a rental villa....nitpick, look for faults and are the client from hell.

I am not anybody's client.

[SPARKY TIM]

We are planning on coming out in September so I contacted my insurance company to see what was covered.
I was told if we were to be stranded abroad that the airline should pick up the bill, but if we were unable to travel to the algarve due to the ash, the cost of the accomadation would not be covered by my insurance and they do not provide the option of insuring against this.

Looks like the only safe option is to try and book a package holiday somehow.

[EMM]

Here is a thought.

Lets say villa owners offered an optional £100 premium per /week /booking with a guarantee that in the event of clients not being able to travel due to ASH the basic payment would be refunded. how would this be received by their clients.???

The owner retains £100/week .

Somehow I do not that many clients would take up the option.

[e-richard]

You're on the right lines there EMM.

We obviously need a proper actuary to work out the real numbers, but I was thinking a bit more elaborately that if a large number of owners got together and paid, say €200 per year into a fund that would then be used to compensate holidaymakers, then each owner could absorb, or bury that additional cost into a small price hike per week.

Hmmm, similar to ATOL bonding isn't it ?

Or put another way, like EMM's suggestion, its just another form of insurance, which in reality is just another form of gambling where the "house" needs to calculate the odds very carefully.

[widge]

if a large number of owners got together and paid, say €200 per year into a fund that would then be used to compensate holidaymakers,

I know a company who have got over 100 villas owners together & collect from them about €10,000 a year each but I don't think they use any of this money to compensate holidaymakers who's holiday is disrupted by volcanic ash!

They are a villa rental agency!

[cereza]

e-richard wrote: Mind you, Snowy, its hard to work with a guest who starts from the premise that they have a "right" to a refund (the fact is they do not), so my advice is to watch your words.

Why should I watch my words - I have never said at any time that anybody had a right to a refund.

Bruce Wallis wrote:
I just love clients like you!!!!

I bet you go into a rental villa....nitpick, look for faults and are the client from hell.

I am not anybody's client.

Are you pm in disguise? Sound similar!