search
date/time
 | Lancashire Times Weekend Edition |
Phil Hopkins
Group Travel Editor & Theatre Correspondent
@philhopkinsuk
2:00 AM 18th March 2023
travel
Passport Office Strikes - Travellers’ Rights
Photo: Ethan Wilkinson on www.unsplash.com
But what are holidaymakers' rights, and can travel insurance help?
Kevin Pratt, travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, said:
"News that passport officers are planning a five-week strike will have those whose passports are due for renewal flying into a panic.
"We're heading into busy times for the travel sector, and passport applications and renewals are no exception. The strike has clearly been called to put maximum pressure on the employers.”
He said the strike wouldn’t close passport offices completely but would result in processing delays with the possibility that they could linger on into the summer.
“Anyone with travel plans who needs to sort out their passport should start the ball rolling without delay if only to give themselves the best chance of having the necessary documentation required for foreign travel.
"Unfortunately, it is highly likely that travel insurance will not provide cover if people do not have a valid passport when due to travel. Insurers say it is the traveller's responsibility to have all the required paperwork in place, and they don't make allowances for any disruption caused by strikes.
"Equally, people won't have any recourse from their airline if they have to cancel a flight – airlines will say the matter is out of their control and, as such, is not their responsibility."
"News that passport officers are planning a five-week strike will have those whose passports are due for renewal flying into a panic.
"We're heading into busy times for the travel sector, and passport applications and renewals are no exception. The strike has clearly been called to put maximum pressure on the employers.”
He said the strike wouldn’t close passport offices completely but would result in processing delays with the possibility that they could linger on into the summer.
“Anyone with travel plans who needs to sort out their passport should start the ball rolling without delay if only to give themselves the best chance of having the necessary documentation required for foreign travel.
"Unfortunately, it is highly likely that travel insurance will not provide cover if people do not have a valid passport when due to travel. Insurers say it is the traveller's responsibility to have all the required paperwork in place, and they don't make allowances for any disruption caused by strikes.
"Equally, people won't have any recourse from their airline if they have to cancel a flight – airlines will say the matter is out of their control and, as such, is not their responsibility."
For more information, visit: https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/travel-insurance/