rex_mundi:

Thanks for the quick reply Huckster.

I have checked my policy and it appears that I am covered even if I am staying with family.

The Virgin policy I have just read states that a single trip during the year includes a minimum of two nights booked accommodation.

I would be surprised if Virgin covered trips to see members of the family where you were staying with them.

Provide Virgin with all the information and post back with the outcome of your claim.

Thanks for the quick reply Huckster.

I have checked my policy and it appears that I am covered even if I am staying with family.

Most Travel Insurances that include cover for UK trips state that you have to have a minimum of 2 nights paid for accommodation. They don't cover trips to visit family.

I suspect that this is the case with Virgin and therefore you can't claim.

Suggest that you check any Home Insurance that you have where you live, as the type of loss you have suffered is more appropriately covered by Home Insurance. Under Home Insurance, you need the Personal Possessions optional cover to include cover away from home.

Morning All

First post here, looking for some advice with regards to a travel insurance claim I’m currently in the process of. I’m hoping someone can share some knowledge with me and help me out.

I took out a yearly travel insurance policy with Virgin a couple of months ago as I have a few trips planned. The first of said trips was in Cornwall to visit family. On the way home I left my bag with various valuables in, at a petrol station. I didn’t realise I had left it until I was another 90 minutes or so down the road. I immediately called the petrol station who said that they hadn’t seen it. I believe I put my bag down on the way out of the petrol station to browse through some magazines, and then walked out and drive off without it.

First thing, the following morning, I called Virgin to initiate the claim. They first told me that I needed to report this to the police before a claim could be made. I called the police, local to the petrol station, reported the bag lost and obtained a reference number. I then proceeded with the claim, providing Virgin with all the details they asked for, receipts of items lost, a description of what had happened and details of the call to the police.

Yesterday I received a letter from Virgin asking for a LOT more information, some of which I’m not even sure if I can obtain. The letter is a little overwhelming and the questions every element of my claim, so much that it seems as if I’m in the wrong for even wanting to claim. Below is a list of the extra information they have asked for.

- Booking invoice for pre-booked accommodation – I don’t have as I stayed with family

- Police report confirming the date and time the loss was reported

- A more detailed description of the incident

- Confirmation of whether there was further police investigation into the whereabouts of the bag. We note the bag was left in a petrol station and so we would expect the incident may have been record on CCTV

- Why the incident was reported to the police on the same day

- Identity, address and policy number of any household insurance that may cover the loss, including insurance of any person with whom I reside

- Details of previous household or travel insurance claims, if none then written confirmation is required

The bag I lost contained an iPod, a camera and my wallet, so it’s not like I’m claiming for thousands of pounds, but the information they need seems excessicve to me

I’d appreciate any comments or help that you can provide.

Many Thanks

R.M