When you have waited all year to go on holiday, the last thing you can imagine is something going wrong. Whether it's a problem before you've even left home - such as flight delays and cancellations - or later on in your holiday - such as poor service, hospital visits or car accidents - when things don't run smoothly it can feel frustrating. It is good to know that there there are things that can be done when your holiday veers into the unknown.
Naturally, if you have reached the airport to find that your flight is delayed or cancelled, this can have a knock on effect for the rest of your trip. If you were only going away for a short break, even just a few hours delay can eat into your holiday time. If the flight is cancelled, then you may be eligible for compensation through your airline via a refund or flight vouchers. If you are travelling within the EU, there is a compensation scheme available for delayed or cancelled flights, provided that the passenger is not at fault. It can be tricky to work out whether you're eligible for compensation, but handy website Flightright has information on eligibility and EU regulations on delayed flights. The EU scheme ensures that passengers are eligible for compensation for both short and long haul flights, whether they are delayed, cancelled or a connection is missed. If you're unsure about whether you're eligible, Flightright also has a great tool to help you check quickly to see if it would be worth processing a claim.
Once you've reached your destination, you would be forgiven for thinking that little could go wrong. Surveys show that 1 in 4 travellers don't bother to take out travel insurance, with that number increasing for travel in Europe. Before you leave for your holiday, ensure you have insurance. This will hopefully get you out of all manner of scrapes, and leave you with peace of mind that if anything does go wrong, you're covered. Depending on the type of holiday, you may want to consider insurance that includes accommodation cancellations, loss of belongings, hospital stays and car hire. If you're travelling within the EU, ensure that you carry your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) at all times, especially if you're on a more active holiday such as skiing. Your EHIC will provide you with cover for state-provided medical care if you fall ill in any European country (including Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland). In some cases, travel insurance companies may insist that you have an EHIC card, and where you have to make a claim, they may waive the excess if you carry your card on your trip.
Although it can feel frustrating when things go wrong on holiday, just remember that it is often easily fixable. If you are proactive and take the right steps, such as buying insurance and doing your research before you leave, then you will be compensated. Holiday mishaps don't happen often, but when they occur on your way to your destination, it can be difficult not to let it overshadow the rest of your break. Don't let them ruin your getaway.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
