Tour operator „broke“: When do you get your money back?

Vacations are often planned well in advance, are not cheap and the anticipation is great. If the tour operator of a package tour then declares insolvency - before you set off on vacation or in the middle of your vacation - the question arises: Will you get your money back? And how can you get back from your vacation?

Consumers are protected against the consequences of a tour operator's insolvency, especially in the case of package tours. Package tour operators in Germany must take out insolvency insurance in accordance with Section 651r (2) No. 1 BGB.

As proof of this, the tour operator must provide the traveler with a so-called travel insurance certificate at the time of booking. This certificate in the original (!) secures the traveler's payment claims against the insurance company in the event of insolvency. If insolvency occurs before the start of the trip, the insurance company will usually refund the travel price or any advance payments made. If the insolvency occurs during the vacation, it will reimburse costs for a longer stay and return transportation, for example.

If the organizer was not insured accordingly, contrary to his legal obligation, the chances of being reimbursed are unfortunately often poor: When the insolvency estate is distributed, other claims are usually satisfied first. Unfortunately, the same usually applies in the case of self-organized trips or business trips, for example if the airline files for insolvency.