NEWS ROUND-UP


Agents cheer court ruling on interruption insurance


Ben Ireland


Agents have welcomed a Supreme Court judgment for Covid-related business interruption claims, but have been warned payouts still depend on policy small print. The highest court in the land last


week ruled small firms should receive payments from business interruption insurance policies taken out to cover forced closures. Insurance firms argued only the most-specialist policies covered such unprecedented restrictions as the pandemic. Abta and The Advantage Travel


Partnership urged agents previously refused payouts to revisit policies following the ruling. Heather Haggis, head of financial


services and insurance broking at Advantage, said the Supreme Court took a “broader interpretation” of policy clauses about prevention of access and causation. But she pointed out: “This


doesn’t mean there is a blanket case for insurers to pay claims.


Supreme Court


ruling is ‘best news in many months’


“The burden is now placed on the


insurer to deny cover, rather than on the insured to prove there is cover.” However, she added: “Insurers


will find it challenging to reduce the indemnity due to the insured.” Explicit exclusions could mean


some agents’ claims would still be unsuccessful, Haggis added. “We urge our members and the


industry to read their policy wording and to speak to their broker or


Insurers can’t point-


blank refuse to pay out – it will depend on what is in the terms


direct with their insurer,” she said. Advantage is assisting members


and said it was “difficult to say” how many might benefit. The Scottish Passenger Agents’


Association said 35% of members had made claims, and none had been successful as of August 2020. President Joanne Dooey said the


ruling was “some of the best news our industry has received in many, many months” noting insurers had “abandoned” agents at the height of the first wave when successful claims “could have been a lifeline”. Abta said the judgment offered


“welcome clarity”. A spokesperson said: “Insurers can’t point-blank refuse to pay out citing the pandemic being unprecedented. Instead, it will depend on what is in the terms.”


Kuoni’s Covid Travel Advice hub is available for all


Kuoni has launched a “one-stop advice hub” outlining travel requirements and restrictions. Available online for anyone,


Kuoni’s Covid Travel Advice hub – covidtraveladvice.kuoni.co.uk – is designed to aid holiday planning. Users can search for travel


corridor information, Foreign Office advice, testing requirements and quarantine rules for entering a country or returning to the UK. The hub also lists which


destinations are welcoming visitors. 8 21 JANUARY 2021 Kuoni said it would update


advice as restrictions are eased and holidays become possible again after the current travel ban. The operator reported “plenty of


people desperate to plan a holiday” based on early January indications. Chief executive Derek Jones


said: “We want to play our part in opening up the world again. “Travel agents are welcome to


use the resource to help them to provide the most up-to-date advice and guidance for their customers.”


Kuoni hopes hub will ‘open world up again’


Claire Brighton


Atas recruits eight agent advisors to shape association


The Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) has recruited eight experienced agents to form its Agent Advisory Group. The panel will help the


association develop new services and products to ensure Atas offers practical and targeted support for agents. Members are: Mandy Shillito,


managing director, Miles Morgan Travel; Jade Semple, product and business development manager, Barrhead Travel; Georgina Why, commercial assistant, Hays Travel; Rob Kenton, managing director, Triangle Travel; Christina Astill, franchisee, GoCruise & Travel; Zoe Franklin, sales manager, Travel Club Elite; Victoria Jones, commercial partnerships manager, The Advantage Travel Partnership; and Amy Wright, cruise and touring specialist and marketing manager, Select Travel Holidays. Claire Brighton, account


director for Atas, said: “It will be invaluable for Atas and our tour operator members to get the agents’ insight and feedback about the services and content we currently offer, as well as their advice on future plans for new initiatives.” Atas has also created a Campaign


Hub giving agents information about offers from operators. It will feature discounts, promotions and special deals from Atas members. Brighton said it was a “one-stop shop” for agents selling touring and adventure.


travelweekly.co.uk


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