No insurance for most Hongkongers killed in Egypt hot-air balloon disaster
Compensation will be limited to a humanitarian payment to fly their bodies back to Hong Kong
Six balloon crash victims had bought travel insurance from China Merchants Insurance that did not cover them for compensation, except for a "humanitarian" payment of the expenses to bring their bodies home.
Company general manager Simon Chan Kwan said aerial activity was excluded from the insurance coverage and that it was so stated in the policy document.
"The policy does not cover balloon activity but we will assist and pay to transport the bodies back home on humanitarian grounds," he said.
The policy does not cover balloon activity but we will assist and pay to transport the bodies back home on humanitarian grounds
Through travel agent Kuoni, three of the nine victims bought insurance from Generali, which covered ballooning. The rest bought it from China Merchants, through an agent known as Union Faith.
According to the website of Union Faith, travellers are asked to pay attention to activities not covered by the policy.
These included air travel other than as passengers on a properly licensed, power-driven aircraft. While this excluded hot-air balloons, parachuting was included.
A spokesman for Union Faith declined to comment.
"We just act as an agent for China Merchants," he said.