Two Slippery Rock residents filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a company that sold them a travel insurance policy for a flight to England in June denied them a refund after the trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

James McMenamin Jr. and Jessica McMenamin filed the suit against Arch Insurance Company and Arch Insurance Solutions claiming the companies denied their request for a refund even though the policy says quarantine is one of the acceptable reasons for a refund.

The suit was filed as a class-action suit on behalf of the plaintiffs and others similarly situated.

The complaint says the plaintiffs bought two airline tickets from Affordable Tours on Jan. 23 for a combined $2,566 for a trip to London departing from Pittsburgh on June 18.

The travel agency canceled the trip on April 4 due to safety concerns and the “Stay at Home Order Guidance” issued by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Refund claims were filed by the plaintiffs on May 12. The suit includes part of the “Individual Travel Protection Policy” that the plaintiffs paid for, which says 75% of unused non-refundable prepaid payments or deposits can be refunded.

Arch denied both claims on June 23 saying, “We have determined that we are unable to approve your claim or to provide any benefits under your claim,” according to the suit.

The suit argues that Arch's denial of the claims was a breach of contract. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages, restitution, compensation for attorney fees and interest on any amounts awarded. They demanded a jury trial.

Attorney Gary Lynch of the Carlson Lynch LLP law firm in Pittsburgh filed the suit.