Are They Entitled To A Full Refund

[Stargazer]

My daughter and family have booked a holiday to Tenerife in August and they have paid each instalment on time. They are now in need of some cash as husband is having to apply for universal credit from the lockdown date. He is not entitled to any government help as he became self employed only the previous year. Can they insist on a refund as the travel agency may try and insist on them taking a deferred holiday?They need to know for certain whether they can insist on a refund. Obviously I am asking on their behalf in anticipation of travel in August still being no go but want to be informed ahead of time.

[Buenchico]

Click 'I've a holiday booked - how can I get my money back' here:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/

Then read the section that starts with "Where it gets more complicated is with holidays booked further in the future . . ."

[EDDIE51]

They CAN NOT INSIST on a refund ! plus the travel agent does NOT have to offer them ANY alternative such as a deferred holiday ! They stand to lose the LOT !!!!! This is the type of situation ,that travel insurance is for !! I assume that they do not have any ??
Their best bet is to inform the travel agent of the situation ! The Agent may be able to resell the holiday !!

[Stargazer]

they do have travel insurance

[fiction-factory]

I doubt they will be able to claim on insurance unless the policy specifically covers s situation where you lose your job and as a result can't afford to pay the balance.
You could politely ask the travel company to refund you but you have no rights and may struggle to contact them. At the moment even people (like me) who had paid in full for a package holiday (should have been back now, all tanned) , and had the holiday cancelled by the provider and been promised a refund, are finding the companies are finding ways of avoiding paying- simply by turning off their phones and ignoring letters.