Ticket Insurance

[Phantom of London]

Does anyone bother to pay the £2 or so to insure your theatre ticket/s.

If you have, have you made a successful claim 😃😃😃 or been knocked back 😂😂😂?

As for me I don’t as I normally buy my tickets at very short notice and if I counted the money I would’ve spent on insurance versus claim opportunities then I would be very much out of pocket with the former.

[n1david]

Most of the insurance schemes seem to require extensive documentation to make the claim, which is why I don't bother with them as I really don't want the hassle of getting a certificate from my doctor in order to get some money back. I rarely buy from TodayTix but if I do I take out their ticket flexibility scheme given it's only £2/ticket and doesn't require any justification.

[hannechalk]

I don't take insurance as you have to provide a ridiculous amount of proof as to why you couldn't make it.

You can't just say 'I had the flu' - you will need a diagnosis/statement to this effect from a health professional.

A very nice approach by Sheffield Theatres though - I could not make it because I had to look after my mama in the Netherlands unexpectedly last year. They just credited my account with them with no further questions asked, nor asked for any further proof - the credit is valid indefinitely.

[BurlyBeaR]

Sept 14, 2024 9:21:45 GMT hannechalk said:

I don't take insurance as you have to provide a ridiculous amount of proof as to why you couldn't make it.

You can't just say 'I had the flu' - you will need a diagnosis/statement to this effect from a health professional.

A very nice approach by Sheffield Theatres though - I could not make it because I had to look after my mama in the Netherlands unexpectedly last year. They just credited my account with them with no further questions asked, nor asked for any further proof - the credit is valid indefinitely.

Sheffield usually only do that if it’s sold out. That used to be their policy anyway.

Leeds Playhouse will give a credit irrespective of whether it’s sold out or not. 

It wouldn’t kill ATG to do the same, they’d be keeping the money for Christ’s sake. 

[Phantom of London]

Mmmm very much like the usual with insurance companies, they lend you an umbrella, until it rains. So the insurance s hard to claim for then, needing a doctors note if indisposed. So I wonder if they cover not making it to the theatre, with transport delays?

[Penny]

I’m having a nightmare with this at the moment
I don’t usually bother with it but for some reason I did it when I
booked tickets to Starlight Express when they went on sale
We were due to go on 4th August but my husband collapsed at work
was taken to hospital diagnosed with cancer and died within 11 days
and they won’t pay out as he didn’t see our GP
Its been absolutely awful and they’ve had all the documentation from the hospital and the death certificate and still they won’t budge

It’s just not worth the hassle

[n1david]

Oh, Penny what a dreadful story. My condolences for your loss - and to be dealing with such unhelpful insurers on top of everything.

[SilverFox]

Sept 20, 2024 10:27:50 GMT Penny said:

I’m having a nightmare with this at the moment
I don’t usually bother with it but for some reason I did it when I
booked tickets to Starlight Express when they went on sale
We were due to go on 4th August but my husband collapsed at work
was taken to hospital diagnosed with cancer and died within 11 days
and they won’t pay out as he didn’t see our GP
Its been absolutely awful and they’ve had all the documentation from the hospital and the death certificate and still they won’t budge

It’s just not worth the hassle

Penny, that is terrible.

You will have 101 things to do at present, and may just choose to let it go, but they deserve to have you write a letter demanding (within 7 days) recompense in full, or a letter of 'final response' from the insurers which will allow you to take it up with the Insurance Ombudsman.

Insurance Ombudsman

If he/she agrees with you, then you should get your refund PLUS compensation from the insurers over their appalling service.

Having to deal with this injustice, in addition to your loss, is unacceptable.

[BurlyBeaR]

Sept 20, 2024 10:27:50 GMT Penny said:

I’m having a nightmare with this at the moment
I don’t usually bother with it but for some reason I did it when I
booked tickets to Starlight Express when they went on sale
We were due to go on 4th August but my husband collapsed at work
was taken to hospital diagnosed with cancer and died within 11 days
and they won’t pay out as he didn’t see our GP
Its been absolutely awful and they’ve had all the documentation from the hospital and the death certificate and still they won’t budge

It’s just not worth the hassle

I’m so sorry for your loss Penny. 

If anyone at Troubadour or ALW reads this and wants to contact me at [e-mail] I can put them in touch with Penny (with her agreement of course). 

[Phantom of London]

Penny putting the insurance to the side, what you have gone through is absolutely dreadful.

[Dawnstar]

That is almost unbelievable that they are refusing to pay under such circumstances. And if theatre insurance is refusing to pay out even when someone dies then there seems absolutely no point in having it. (I've never bothered with it because my usual reason for having to miss shows is having colds & I can't get doctors' notes for colds.)

[Penny]

Thank you all , it’s been such a shock , he had a cough for a couple months , ignored it and was diagnosed with kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs , he would’ve been 59 today !

Of all the things we’ve had to deal with for some reason this has made and my sons absolutely rage . Some companies have been fantastic even without insurance - actually we had Something Rotten booked without insurance via LW theatres and that was refunded straight away with no fuss , I think because it’s the Troubadour they use KX tickets and it’s their insurance we’ve been dealing with .

My advice , don’t bother with insurance we’ve learnt our lesson the hard way

[Dr Tom]

I’m so sorry, Penny. This is one to get the media involved with.

[ThereWillBeSun]

I am disgusted at the fact there is no empathy. I’m so sorry for your loss 💔

[link]

Hi Penny,

I am so sorry to hear what you’ve been through. Have you tried contacting KX Tickets directly about this, rather than the insurance company?

[hannechalk]

I am so sorry for your loss, Penny.

And for the awful treatment you received.

[Penny]

Thank you all for your kind words
A small update - At the end of last week a refund appeared in my bank account for the
amount of the tickets from an insurance underwriter .
I’ve had no other communication from them but at least I have my refund
now , maybe they changed their mind or maybe the power of this board !

[ThereWillBeSun]

That’s good news Penny. I am going through a process with a festival who cancelled tickets but refusing to refund - Soul Circus - they are passive aggressive, con artists.

[happysooz2]

I’m so glad they gave you a refund Penny, and I am so sorry for your loss.

[BurlyBeaR]

Oct 1, 2024 9:42:28 GMT Penny said:

Thank you all for your kind words
A small update - At the end of last week a refund appeared in my bank account for the
amount of the tickets from an insurance underwriter .
I’ve had no other communication from them but at least I have my refund
now , maybe they changed their mind or maybe the power of this board !

We have a member who is an ex Troubadour employee who was contacting someone he knows. I don’t want to reveal too much as I don’t know if he wants to be named. If this is as a result of his actions, thank you!