Ryanair and easyJet fined over travel insurance
Ryanair and easyJet have been fined more than one million euros for misleading customers over travel insurance.
Italy’s antitrust watchdog, AGCM, said the low cost airlines had not given customers enough information to make informed choices when buying travel insurance.
The watchdog said the websites did not clearly explain what risks were covered, excess charges were disproportionately high and the fee attached to requesting a refund was greater than the cost of the insurance itself.
It also said Ryanair made the option to refuse insurance difficult to find – with the box to tick being on a countries drop-down menu between the Netherlands and Norway.
Ryanair has been fined €850,000, while easyJet was fined the lesser sum of €200,000 because it had already amended its website.
Ryanair said it was going to appeal against the decision but added that it would be amending its website.
Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: "We note this ruling and while we disagree with its findings and have instructed our lawyers to appeal, we will be amending our website accordingly."
An easyJet spokeswoman said: "easyJet is disappointed by AGCM’s decision to fine the airline for the way it sold its travel insurance product in Italy. All of the issues raised in the decision have already been remedied in consultation with the AGCM and our insurance partner Allianz. easyJet will examine the decision and review its options."
Diane
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