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Thomas Cook is insolvent what now

02.10.2019

(updated on

07.04.2026

)

0

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It has been widely reported in the media that the British traditional company Thomas Cook has filed for insolvency. As a result, several thousand travellers are stranded worldwide. Everyone is asking who will bear the cost of the trip and thousands of employees fear for their jobs.In addition to the British tour operator Thomas Cook, its German subsidiary Thomas Cook GmbH is also insolvent.Other providers such as Neckermann Reisen, Bucher Reisen and Öger Tours are also affected.Who is liable for the damageMany travellers naturally ask who will compensate them for the damage they have suffered as a result of the sudden insolvency of the tour operator. The insurer Zurich is liable because it has issued so called travel security certificates for package tours booked with Thomas Cook. Since 1994 all package travellers have received such a travel security certificate. This serves as insolvency protection and is intended to guarantee the return journey in the event of insolvency or inability to pay on the part of the tour operator. In addition, the price paid for the booked trip is to be refunded to the travellers. However, in the case of Thomas Cook GmbH the insolvency cover is limited to 110 million euros and it is currently unclear whether this amount will be sufficient to reimburse all travellers.How will the return of those affected take placeThomas Cook has already commented on the return journey and the costs associated with it. The company stated that it was in talks with the Federal Foreign Office, the travel insolvency insurer and other partners with the aim of enabling the orderly repatriation of guests.Unlike in the United Kingdom, the insurer is liable for the costs of returning stranded holidaymakers in Germany. Once again Zurich is responsible because of the travel security certificates.Who is entitledZurich reimburses the full costs of the return journey only in the case of package tours. Package travellers should contact their travel agent, tour operator and the address given on the travel security certificate.Travellers who have booked their trip independently or only partly through a tour operator are not covered by Zurich’s insurance obligation. These travellers do not have a travel security certificate because this is only issued as protection for package tours. These travellers therefore have no insolvency protection. As a result, individual travellers may be left to bear their costs themselves.Because of the huge number of enquiries there are long delays and great difficulty in reaching those responsible at the insolvent company. It is foreseeable that there will also be complications in the processing of claims for damages. It remains to be seen how the insolvency of the tour operator will develop.Attorney at law Hans Jörg Briest and his team will be pleased to assist you in asserting your rights, whether as a traveller or as a hotelier who has been affected.

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