New Foreign Office warning about fraudulent holiday sickness claims
The Foreign Office is warning holidaymakers of the increasing number of claims companies targeting Britons in resorts in Spain and encouraging them to make false insurance claims regarding holiday sickness.
In an amendment to its travel advice for Spain, the Foreign Office warned that fraudulent insurance claims are illegal and could land holidaymakers in prison.
It said: "There have been reports of a rise in claims companies targeting holidaymakers at resorts in Spain inviting them to make false insurance claims regarding holiday sickness.
"Making a fraudulent insurance claim is illegal and a criminal offence in Spain and can incur penalties such as heavy fines and imprisonment."
Spanish hoteliers told TravelMole last month that fraudulent sickness claims from mainly British holidaymakers was costing them more than €60 milion a year.
The change to the Foreign Office (FCO) advice comes a week after ABTA raised the growing problem of false claims for gastric illnesses made against hotels and tour operators with the Ministry of Justice.
Regarding the FCO amendment, it said: "ABTA members have reported a dramatic increase in the number of gastric illness claims being made by holidaymakers abroad.
"Many of these claims are supported by very little evidence and do not match up with recorded sickness levels in holiday resorts. We believe this is being driven by the aggressive marketing practices of some claims management companies, touting their services to UK holidaymakers either in destinations or when they are back in the UK.
"Pursuing a fraudulent claim is illegal and the UK Government has recently changed its travel advice to warn holidaymakers about this.
"In addition, handing over personal data to the kinds of individuals or companies who are prepared to indulge in fraud has its own clear dangers. ABTA would also warn customers about the potentially very serious consequences of pursuing a bogus claim in the country where the holiday has taken place, where the penalties for breaking the law can be much harsher than in the UK.
"This growing problem also runs the risk of seriously damaging the reputation of all UK holidaymakers."
ABTA said if customers genuinely fall ill on holiday, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible as well as informing their tour operator in resort who will provide advice and assistance.
If they are not satisfied, it said they can pursue their complaint through ABTA’s dispute resolution process if the company is a member.
Otherwise, they can claim up to £1000 for health and safety-related problems through the Small Claims Court.
"We would strongly advise customers to pursue their case through these routes, rather than via a claims management company, who will typically take a significant cut of any successful claim," it said.
"ABTA has recently met with the Ministry of Justice, expressing our concerns about this issue."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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