IN response to A Bean’s letter (HAS, Nov 24) about his difficulties getting a refund from Hays Travel in Darlington when he had to miss his holiday because of a hip operation, the golden rule when booking a holiday is to take out insurance at the same time as this could cover you for cancellation. Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert is always stressing this.

Why should Hays refund the full amount? I think you’re lucky to get £80 back.

I’ve booked numerous holidays in the past with Hays and would recommend them to anyone.

On a separate note, surely someone aged 81 is deemed a high risk in the current Covid-19 pandemic and is very foolish to consider a holiday to Egypt or anywhere else at this time.

John Watson, Durham.