Insurance holder left disabled with no compensation

A 36-year-old British woman from Stockport was left disabled after a holiday trip went horribly wrong. Linzi Higgins holds travel insurance, she has been unable to get compensation for the accident which injured her so badly, because of a strange loophole in her agreement.

Linzi was on holiday in Egypt when she broke two ribs, her collarbone and injured her back when someone crashed into her on a slide from behind. Today, she walks with the help of walking sticks. Because of her injuries, she is no longer able to work at her old job as a shop manager.

Linzi booked her vacation to Egypt with First Choice, a large, well established travel company. She booked her insurance with the company, too, and even arranged the trip to the water park with one of the company’s representatives. Yet First Choice has refused Linzi’s claim for compensation following her accident.

According to officials with First Choice, Linzi’s accident falls under the responsibility of the excursion provider, the Sharm El Sheikh resort.

The clause which states this fact is very little known and Linzi was never informed about it, either when booking the holiday or in discussing the trip to the water park.

Linzi said: "I am distraught. I used to be a fun-loving young woman and now I'm like an old lady. I've lost my job. And my partner has had to give up a lot of his work as a taxi driver to care for me. I was so careful to take out an insurance policy that would cover us in all events and I bought the water park tickets through the tour operator because they say it is safer.

"No-one ever made it clear to me that I would not be covered under those circumstances."

According to a spokesperson for First Choice: "First Choice was merely acting as an agent for Wings Tours, the excursion provider. Mrs Higgins would need to pursue any claim for damages directly with them, as the excursion does not form part of the holiday package as defined by the Package Travel Regulations 1992."



Yasmin Purnell Editorial



27/03/2008