17 Mar 2011 07:55p.m.

Mark wrote:

This has happened to me in the past with a ski holiday I booked with Dive Fish Snow and then had to cancel. They didn't refund any money and told me to go to my insurance company - even though it was months in advance... I would never book with them again. Neither would they disclose the cancellation policy of the suppliers. For all I know they hadn't paid their suppliers!

17 Mar 2011 06:25p.m.

Neville wrote:

I think when squids go to the movies on a Sunday, they should be allowed to wear a wide variety of underpants. What colour is the moon? Well, it depends on the weather.

17 Mar 2011 10:29a.m.

Tony wrote:

Why wasn't anyone from the travel agency, QBE or any other travel representative included or asked for a comment in this piece. Very disappointed TVNZ. Poor journalism.

16 Mar 2011 05:56p.m.

David wrote:

I live in Japan and also work in the ski industry here. Most ski areas here that overseas guests come to are currently unaffected by the recent events that have occurred on the North eastern coast. The travel warnings issued say to avoid travel to the affected areas which are quite far from where these people are planning to visit. Theres no reason why these people can not come for their holiday so they shouldnt be entitled to any refunds if they decide not to travel.

16 Mar 2011 05:52p.m.

May wrote:

Where they are going is nowhere near the affected areas. Stop you whining and get over it.

16 Mar 2011 05:52p.m.

May wrote:

Where they are going is nowhere near the affected areas. Stop you whining and get over it.

16 Mar 2011 05:44p.m.

Tracey wrote:

From QBE website:
FOR POLICYHOLDERS WHO ARE YET TO COMMENCE THEIR TRIP FROM NEW ZEALAND
a) Amendment or cancellation costs if you are travelling after 6:46pm (NZ time, Friday 11th March and planned to stay in the affected areas. There is provision to claim cancellation costs or additional costs to defer or reschedule, provided the additional cost is not greater than the cancellation fees or lost deposits which would have been incurred had the trip been cancelled. This advice is valid from 6:46pm (NZ time) 11th March 2011 to midnight (NZ time), 18th March 2011.

Think they need to visit this.
As I specialise in reading Travel insurance policies (not a lawyer)
Most if not all travel policies are void if the individual travels against Government warnings or concerns. Good luck

16 Mar 2011 04:21p.m.

Rebecca wrote:

I think that there are probably a lot of people in a similar situation at the moment as they are, and who could certainly relate to this story. Would you really want to go when you’re being told that in certain areas all non-essential travel isn’t recommended, and you probably have to travel though some of these areas to get to your destination?? Not to mention the earthquake and aftershocks were felt up in Hokkaido, so it is also an affected area, just not as badly as Tokyo and the areas directly around where the quake hit. To me it seems like the travellers did everything right, paid for their holiday and took insurance to cover them from a situation just like this one. Maybe if it had been a Canterbury travel agent that they went through they may have been more sympathetic, as I have heard of some here giving full refunds for the same sort of thing…. I am sure that just because they are not keen on travelling to Japan at the moment, does not mean that their thoughts don’t go out to them in this terrible time. Coming from Christchurch I think it hurts us even more to see what’s happening there, as we can relate to it so well. The story said that this group is from Akaroa, which part of Canterbury, and which has also been badly affected by the earthquakes and aftershocks. Akaroa actually felt the September quake more than some parts of Christchurch did, and are certainly continuing to feel every quake as they happen. So I can imagine, just like the rest of us here, they are in need of a bit of a break away, and it sounds like this trip, that they saved a year and a half for, was going to be just that – they just wouldn’t have expected to be heading to somewhere that is going through the same problems as they are at home. I think someone needs to cough up for their refund, whether it be the travel agent or insurance company – come on, it’s really the only right thing to do.

16 Mar 2011 04:10p.m.

Anne wrote:

I was so surprised that the tour could even go ahead, in view of the governments warning, why is that not being listened too? I would imagine this group had planned the holiday well in advance prior to both disasters, surely there would be a way to either change their destination (with no further costs) or provide a refund. The tour will not be able to provide what it promised.
Did the insurance company exclude nuclear accidents? Is that a normal practise?
Give them their money back.

16 Mar 2011 01:15p.m.

dave wrote:

I think the point has been missed here. Nobody is trying to downplay the devastation and hardship in both Chch and Japan. I suspect this story would never have got to air if the travel agent was working in the clients best interest.If QBE is the problem here why would a travel agent recommend them to clients, is this not why you take out travel insurance? I don't know allot about Japan but I suspect you won't be able go direct from NZ to a ski field without staying or going through a major centre.