Journalist's experience shows need for travel insurance

← Back

Thu, 17 Jun 04

A journalist has had to fork out almost £170 in hotel bills after his flight was delayed by fog, in a case set to remind journalist of the need to obtain travel insurance.

James Barber, who was flying out on a trip organised by the Massey Partnership, a PR firm, was put in an emergency hotel when he found his flight was grounded, having had no prior warning that there might be a delay, or that he might need insurance.

However, Mr Barber was forced to pay for both the hotel and the evening meal it provided during his stay.

Despite the financial cost imposed upon Mr Barber, the sub-editor of Brighton's Argus newspaper, representatives of Massey say they won't reimburse him, claiming he should have sorted out insurance beforehand.

Mr Barber told Hold The Front Page: "The Massey Partnership invited someone from my paper to visit the Isles of Scilly, staying at two hotels which are clients of theirs. I took up the offer, which included my partner, and Massey organised flights from Bristol to the Isles, a night at a hotel on Bryher and a second night on the Island Hotel on Tresco.

"The hotel room cost £118 and the meal £50 but I thought the bill would be covered. Massey have refused to pay, and said I should have organised my own insurance."

Mr Barber said that the experience had underlined the need to check the details of any Travel Insurance before leaving the country.

© 1998-2005 DeHavilland Information Services plc. All rights reserved.

Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This can be checked on the FSA Register by visiting its web site at www.fsa.gov.uk/register.
Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No: 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.