Thanks Mooreda, I read through loads of case studies and found one almost exactly like mine where the Insurer rejected the claim, but the Ombudsman upheld the claim and made them pay up in full. I am going to include it in my letter asking them to reconcider my claim. Thanks once again, Kindest regards, Chrisdol

Thanks for that ScarletPimpernel, do you think that I should send the details as they appear in this post?:? Kind regards, Chrisdol

Help needed – Emergency Holiday Cancellation Claim Rejected:x 2 days before my husband and I were due to go on holiday, my Mum had a sudden and totally unexpected heart attack. As my Mum is an 81 year old widow and I am her only carer, we had no choice but to cancel. My Mum has never had a heart attack before, but for the past 15 years or so, she has had angina and hypertension and other unrelated health problems, which she takes regular medication for. We went to Co-op Travel to cancel, they were very sympathetic, and contacted the Insurance Company on our behalf. A few days later we received the claim form from Europ Assistance which we completed, it included a section for my Mum’s GP to complete regarding her health and medication. A month or so later we received a letter offering me “their condolences for my recent loss” (although Mum is still very much alive, and has made a good recovery) saying that they would not be able to pay out because “the Health Requirements section of your policy clearly states that there is no cover for any claims arising directly or indirectly from a pre-existing medical condition, known to you prior to the commencement of the period of insurance, affecting any close relative, travelling companion who is not insured under this policy or person with whom you intend to stay whilst on your trip” And “It is noted from your documents that at the time the insurance was issued your mother had been taking three cardiac medications. As the medications would be directly or indirectly related to the heart attack which was the cause of cancellation, we are regrettably unable to make any payment on this occasion.” I feel aggrieved because anyone can have a heart attack young or old, and not everyone who has angina will have a heart attack, and not everyone who has a heart attack has angina. Please can you advise? Chrisdol

Hi Michael, Many thanks for that, i'll let you know how I get on. Kind Regards, Christine

Hi there, I wonder if someone could give me a bit of advice. Last year I went through the process, and sent the LBA. In September 2006, Abbey refunded approx £750 directly into my bank account (my full claim was for approx £4000). However, due to a lengthy spell of ill health, I still haven't filled in the Small Claims Form. My question is this, because of the length of time that has passed since I sent my original LBA, do I need to send another, or do I just fill in the Small Claims Form and take to the Court. Chrisdol

That's good news for all us Abbey Claimers. I wonder if someone could give me a bit of advice. Last year I went through the process, and sent the LBA. In September 2006, Abbey refunded approx £750 directly into my bank account (my full claim was for approx £4000). However, due to a lengthy spell of ill health, I still haven't filled in the Small Claims Form. My question is this, because of the length of time that has passed since I sent my original LBA, do I need to send another, or do I just fill in the Small Claims Form and take to the Court. Chrisdol

Many thanks to Iknox and Bish for that, I've never done anything like this before, so I am a tad nervous, but in the end it is MY money. I will be donating when I win and keep up the good work. Kind Regards to all, Chrisdol

Hi, Chrisdol here, Just to let you all know that my preliminary request for refunding my £4007.50 was sent and the 14 days is up on 22 August 2006. However I received the following letter from shAbbey on 16 August. What do I do now??? Please help :? 14 August 2006 Our Ref: Dear Thank you for contacting us and I am sorry that you have been so unhappy that you have felt you must complain. One of my team will be responsible for investigating your complaint and have enclosed our Complaints leaflet, which explains our procedure for doing this. High quality customer service is of great importance to us at Abbey and we will do everything we can to resolve your complaint in a timely and satisfactory manner. I know it is important to you that we resolve your complaint quickly, but we want to do a thorough investigation and sometimes this can take time. If we have not contacted you before then, we will write to you in four weeks to let you know what is happening. Although I do not know what the outcome will be, I do hope that we will be able to find a solution that you are happy with. Yours sincerely Mark Winder Head of Complaints Enc. Complaints Leaflet

Thanks Tina&Gaz, And I hope everything goes alright for you claim also. Chrisdol

I completed my penalty spreadsheet and to my shock/amazement they owe me £4007.50 + Interest (not the 8%). I am sending the Preliminary Letter asking for MY money back, and will keep you all posted. Thank you for your help and encouragement!!! Chrisdol;) _____________ Abbey Preliminary request for refund of £4099.23 posted 04/08/06

Hi Crusher Many thanks for that, and i'll keep you all posted as I pursue shAbbey. Chrisdol

Hi All, Chrisdol here, First of all I would like to say that I think this site and all of you are FANTASTIC. My beef is with shABBEY, and I have just completed my spreadsheet to send with the Prelimanary Approach for Repayment Letter. They owe me £4007.50 (not including any interest) Am I correct in thinking that I have to add the total of the "Interest on Penalties" column to the Penalties Charged total. Any help, advice, and support would be much appreciated!!! Thank you.