ABTA submits evidence on false holiday sickness claims
ABTA has submitted its response to the Government’s Call for Evidence on holiday sickness claims.
The association says it has been working closely with members to collect data on gastric illness claims.
It is urging the Government to close a loophole in the law which allows unscrupulous claims companies to profit unduly from fraudulent claims.
It says overseas claims must be brought into line with UK personal injury claims – such as whiplash – where there is a cap on legal fees.
This would provide a level playing field between holiday sickness claims and other low-value personal injury claims, it argues.
"Importantly, this would continue to give legitimate claimants access to justice, but would make the overseas holiday market considerably less attractive to claims management companies by reducing the financial incentive to bring these bogus claims to court," it said.
Holiday sickness claims have risen more than five fold since 2013, with several ABTA Members reporting a rise of more than 700%.
Claims have continued to rise in the first half of 2017, said ABTA.
At the same time, reported sickness levels in resort have either remained stable or, in many destinations including Spain, have declined.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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