The travel company I’m planning to use insists that I buy their own insurance. Can they do this?

No, they cannot insist that you buy their insurance unless it has already been included as part of the basic price of the holiday (not charged as an extra).

However, travel insurance can be a compulsory term of the contract, so they are within their rights to ask you for details of who you're insured with, and to ask if it's an adequate alternative to their own cover.

They also have to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority if they sell insurance, make sure you check this.

About the Financial Ombudsman
If you think you’ve been mis-sold insurance, or aren’t happy with the insurance product or service you’ve received then the Financial Ombudsman is a free service who will take this complaint up for you. Contact the Financial Ombudsman online.

Next steps
Financial Conduct Authority website
Financial Ombudsman website.

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