Latest news with #NirajMamtora
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Holiday mistake that could cost you thousands
Burglars no longer case streets, instead they scroll through social media and send fake friend requests to gain access to private posts, which could leave you at risk When you're away on holiday, it's incredibly tempting to share updates with everyone back home. However, that innocent photo of your hotel room or boarding pass could potentially cost you thousands if you're not cautious. According to Forum Insurance, posting real-time social media updates might invalidate your home insurance should you fall victim to burglary whilst away. This stems from "reasonable care" provisions included in numerous policies, reports the Express. Insurance companies may contend that publicly announcing your home is empty constitutes negligence. Niraj Mamtora, Director and Home Insurance Expert at Forum Insurance, explained that criminals have become far more sophisticated nowadays. He stated: "Burglars aren't just casing streets anymore, they're scrolling through Instagram stories and Facebook timelines. "With this in mind, insurers expect policyholders to take reasonable care to protect their property, and that now includes being cautious about what you share online." "For example, posting 'Off to Greece for two weeks!' could be considered negligence under policy terms, similar to leaving doors unlocked." Even sharing within private groups offers no protection, he warned: "Screenshots can circulate, and insurers may argue you didn't sufficiently limit audience access. "Many insurers include clauses requiring policyholders to 'take care to prevent loss.' If you publicly broadcast your holiday plans, insurers could argue you breached this duty. Always assume anything shared online, even privately, could be seen by criminals." Niraj warns that even innocent-looking posts can alert criminals: "They often monitor public profiles or send fake friend requests to gain access to private posts. "Even something as simple as tagging yourself at the airport or sharing a boarding pass photo can give criminals a clear window of opportunity." To protect yourself from criminals while on holiday, there are several precautions you can take. Niraj advises checking your insurance policy for clauses like "reasonable care" or "unforced entry", and suggests waiting until you're back home before posting holiday snaps. It's also wise to set your social media accounts to private, regularly review your friends list, and decline friend requests from people you don't know.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
The simple mistake many people make with travel insurance can end up costing you thousands of pounds… but would you know how to avoid it?
The school summer holidays are just around the corner, which means many families will be preparing to jet off for some well-earned relaxation. Of course, there's the to-do list to tackle before you go: pack the suncream, do a dozen loads of laundry and locate all the passports (there's always one momentarily missing). And an element that shouldn't be overlooked is travel insurance, which can save you thousands should you or your belongings run into any trouble while abroad. However, while many of us assume once you're covered by a policy you're fine, that's very much not the case. Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, has issued a warning to travellers after thousands of claims were rejected for minor mistakes last summer. It's important to read the small print, as these minor, avoidable mistakes can be easily resolved – and if not, may well end up costing you thousands. From tight deadlines for reporting an issue to correctly packing your valuables, keep reading for the surprising ways travellers invalidate their insurance without realising. Leaving your hotel balcony door or window unlocked With balmy temperatures across Europe, it's no surprise many of us leave windows or doors slightly ajar to maximise airflow in our hotel room. But according to Mamtora, while it may make your space more comfortable, it could end up costing you a fortune if your belongings go walkabout. 'If there's no sign of forced entry, many insurers won't pay out,' Mamtora advises. 'It's that simple.' 'We often see claims for stolen items from hotel rooms declined because a door or window was left unlocked. It doesn't matter whether you're in a five-star resort or a budget apartment. Policies usually require evidence that a thief had to break in. If you've left an access point open, the assumption is that you didn't take reasonable care.' Not filing a police report in time When we lose something on holiday, lots of us will try and push the annoyance aside and think: 'I'll deal with it when I'm back.' But failing to alert local police within a one- or two-day timeframe will invalidate your insurance policy with most providers, causing even more of a headache when you get back. 'If something is stolen or lost, you usually have 24 to 48 hours to report it to the local police,' Mamtora explains. 'Some people try to wait until they get home or think a hotel report is enough, but that won't meet the conditions of most policies. You need a formal report from the local authorities, ideally with a case number and location. Missing that step is one of the most common reasons we see valid claims denied.' Packing valuables in checked luggage Many of us are guilty of packing laptops and cameras in our checked suitcase, so we don't have to lug heavy hand luggage around. Unfortunately, if your valuables aren't on your person, you often can't get your money back if they're bashed and broken on arrival. 'Laptops, watches, cameras and other high-value items should never go in the hold,' Mamtora warns. 'Airlines may mishandle luggage, but your insurer is unlikely to cover these items if they weren't with you in the cabin.' 'This is clearly outlined in many travel insurance policies, but it's still a common mistake. Always pack anything you can't afford to lose, or can't replace easily, in your carry-on.' Lending items to friends How many times have you been abroad and had a friend ask to borrow your camera, headphones or phone? How many times have you asked them to carry your belongings for you? Well, it turns out both mean if the item is lost or broken, your insurance company doesn't have to pay up. 'Policies usually cover you alone, not you and your friends or family,' Mamtora explains. 'If a friend borrows your phone, camera or headphones and they break it or lose it, the insurer is unlikely to pay out unless that person is specifically named on the policy. 'You need to think of your cover as personal, not shared. Just because someone is travelling with you doesn't mean they're included in the protection.' Taking a day trip to a non-covered country When you apply for travel insurance and you may well tick the box for where you're going, then you never think about it again. However, you need to be careful – if you're planning any trips that cross to a different territory, you often invalidate your cover. 'This one catches people out all the time,' says Mamtora. 'You might have cover for Europe, but if you take a bus from Croatia to a neighbouring country, such as Montenegro, your insurance can become void the moment you step over the border. 'Even if you're only gone for a few hours, if something happens, you could be completely uncovered. It's vital to check which countries are listed and whether regional trips are included.' Not using the hotel safe for valuables We've all been there: you have no idea how to use the safe, so stick your passport and valuables in the discreet bedside drawer instead. Seems logical, right? It actually means if anyone nabs your stuff, you likely won't get the cash back to replace it. 'Valuables not stored in a locked safe are rarely covered,' Mamtora advises. 'If you leave your passport, jewellery, or expensive tech out on the bedside table or tucked into a suitcase, and they're taken, your insurer may argue you failed to secure them properly.' 'The policy wording often requires that high-value items be locked in a hotel safe when not in use. It's a small effort that makes a big difference to whether you're covered.'
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Holiday warning for Brits as poolside mistakes can leave you paying hefty fees
Brits on holidays this summer have been warned not to make an easy poolside mistake or they could risk facing some pretty hefty fees if things go wrong There's nothing quite like cooling off in the pool after basking in the sunshine while on holiday. However, Brits are being warned to stay vigilant if they step away from their sunlounger, or they could risk some hefty fees. A travel insurance expert has warned that there are some easy mistakes we all make that quickly invalidate your travel insurance, meaning that if things do go wrong it's likely your claim will be rejected. One of those is stepping away from your bag, even if you can see it from the pool and feel like your surroundings are fairly secure. "Stepping away from your bag for even a few minutes can invalidate your claim," warns Niraj Mamtora, Director at Forum Insurance. "People think a quick dip or a trip to the bar is harmless, but from an insurance perspective, you've left those items unguarded. That's classed as negligence. Most policies will state clearly that unattended belongings in public areas are not covered, regardless of how short the time or how secure you felt." It's not just about insurance either. Hotels are increasingly cracking down on people who leave their belongings unattended for a few hours, in a bid to fight back against sunbed wars. This has included introducing time limits on how long staff will leave an unattended lounger before picking up the belongings and taking them to reception, where holidaymakers can retrieve them. 'Sunbed wars' see people frantically rushing in the early hours of the morning to leave their towels on sunbeds to claim these for the day. However, tensions rise when people do this but don't return for hours at a time, leaving others unable to enjoy the pool despite there being empty beds. Just recently, holidaymakers were spotted using a sneaky tactic before the pool staff had even laid out the loungers, with other tourists slamming the "pathetic" behaviour. Meanwhile, one British couple was recently livid when they returned to a stern warning from hotel staff after they'd left their loungers for half an hour, claiming that other holidaymakers had been away from their sunbeds for longer but not received any backlash. If you are going to step away from your sun lounger, you may want to leave your valuables back in your room - but even then, Niraj warns that you'll want to make sure they're in the safe. "Valuables not stored in a locked safe are rarely covered," explains the insurance expert. "If you leave your passport, jewellery, or expensive tech out on the bedside table or tucked into a suitcase, and they're taken, your insurer may argue you failed to secure them properly. "The policy wording often requires that high-value items be locked in a hotel safe when not in use. It's a small effort that makes a big difference to whether you're covered."
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Warning issued to anyone using weight loss injections when travelling abroad
Anyone using weight loss injections, either through the NHS or privately, has been issued a major warning when it comes to travelling abroad - failing to comply could lead to expensive medical bills A stark warning has been issued to those taking weight loss injections who are planning to travel abroad. Failing to follow one vital rule could potentialy put travellers in serious danger and force them to pay a huge amount in medical bills. There has been a surge in the demand for weight loss injections, which were once aimed at people with diabetes. People across the UK have been going private to purchasing the weekly injections, which slow digestion by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), in turn regulating hunger and feelings of fullness. Some popular GLP-1 drugs are branded as Wegovy or Ozempic - they use the same drug, Semaglutide, but are sold at different doses. After Semaglutide came Mounjaro, which, in addition to mimicking GLP-1, also targeted a hormone called GIP to boost this effect on appetite suppression. Last week, it was announced that GPs in England will be allowed to prescribe Mounjaro to severely obese people for the first time. Mounjaro is the brand name for the drug Tirzepatide, which is known as the 'King Kong' of weight loss jabs. With a spike in people using these injections, anyone using the drug while travelling abroad must declare it, according to travel insurance experts. This goes to anyone who uses them, including those who buy them privately and those who may receive them on the NHS. Failing to declare the use of the drug could see them breach their travel insurance agreement, which could lead to the policy being completely cancelled and being left to pay out for expensive medical bills if anything were to happen while on holiday. In an important warning, Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, told MailOnline:"If you're using these drugs, you must declare both the medication and the condition it's prescribed for. Failure to do so is not a minor oversight, it's a serious breach of your travel insurance contract. "If you need medical help overseas and haven't fully declared the medication you're taking, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled. The financial consequences can be severe." Mamtora added that many holidaymakers don't realise they're not covered on their insurance until they need to make a claim, but by then, it's too late. Retail expert at Which? Reena Sewraz advised to always read the policy thoroughly when getting travel insurance to check what is covered, and if unsure, speak to them directly. Sewraz also pointed out that it's good to shop around to get the best policy. Some users of the weight loss drugs have also taken to online forums to warn people of the added cost when declaring. One user wrote on Reddit: "This morning, I spent several hours looking at annual WW travel insurance quotes to include the US. I spoke to several companies to ask if I need to declare Mounjaro now that I have a healthy BMI and no longer obese and the answer is yes. "Select weight management and answer the questions that drop down. It added £80 to the policy! Insurance companies are not skipping a beat and it could be due to the increase number of people presenting at A&E with complications or side effects from weight loss medications, even though I haven't had any side effects in 13 months and could even be off the meds by the time we travel in May but they want to know the last 2 years medical history otherwise it would invalidate the policy. "NOT ONE said I didn't need to add it. lol, I have never added obesity to my policy even though I have been obese for the last 30 years until now and I'm the healthiest I've been in years!" Another commented on the thread: "I took out my annual travel insurance with Admiral. Rang and asked about Mounjaro as I was on it. Had to declare I was obese, even though I'm not. This added an extra 70p. "No judgement from the customer service rep, she was really intrigued in it for herself. She did say they had a memo down about the medication that week and it must be declared now." Another noted their own experience: "I spoke to my travel insurers today and explained (you have to tell them every time you go to see your GP!) that my wife was taking Mounjaro and she had gone to the GPs because she had chronic constipation. "The GP confirmed it was a common side effect of the injection so the insurers said because it was not prescribed to her that if she became ill while on holiday due to any side effects from Mounjaro she would not be covered. As my wife willingly takes it that's fair enough."
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Daily Record
Ryanair passengers stranded by air traffic control strikes may 'not be covered' by insurance
Passengers affected have been told they may not be covered by standard travel insurance. Ryanair passengers who have been left high and dry amid a series of French air traffic control strikes may not be covered by their travel insurance, it has emerged. It is feared the strikes will impact some 30,000 fliers across Europe as the summer holidays kick off. Ryanair said it had been forced to cancel more than 170 flights as a nationwide air traffic controller strike in France started today. In Edinburgh, three flights were cancelled this morning as the French civil aviation authority asked airlines to reduce flights by 40 per cent to hubs in Paris. But passengers affected by the strikes and cancellations have been told they may not be covered by standard travel insurance in a further blow. Experts at Forum Insurance are warning that many travellers may be unaware that their standard travel insurance won't cover them for airspace disruption caused by strikes. As disruption is hitting flights to and from France, and across European airspace, including routes between the UK, Greece, Spain, and Ireland, passengers are likely unaware that most standard travel policies don't include cover for strikes or air traffic control issues unless an optional add-on has been purchased. It means travellers caught out could face unexpected costs or delays with no insurance protection. Expert insight from Niraj Mamtora, Director at Forum Insurance said: "Standard travel insurance often excludes airspace disruption, so travellers shouldn't assume they're covered for strikes or air traffic control closures. "To be protected, you need a policy with 'travel disruption' or 'airspace closure' as an optional add-on or as part of a higher-tier policy. 'This cover can reimburse you for missed travel and accommodation, enforced overnight stays abroad, or extra costs if you're stranded and no alternative transport is available for over 24 hours." However there is an important caveat to this which fliers should be aware of when purchasing any add ons. Niraj added: "But it usually only applies if the disruption was unexpected at the time of booking, and some policies exclude cover if the strike was already known or if you travel against official advice. 'Check your policy wording carefully. Look for any reference to 'travel disruption', 'airspace closure', or 'missed departure'. Even if your plan doesn't include full disruption cover, there may be some limited benefits. "And if you're already abroad, your travel provider or tour operator may be obliged to help with alternative arrangements.' France's air traffic control union announced its workers would go on strike on July 3 and 4 due to concerns like understaffing, burnout and employees being overworked. And Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary called for the president of the European Commission to change the EU's air traffic controllers' services calling the strikes 'abundantly unfair' on those trying to go on holiday.
