I always buy travel insurance but I probably have never read the fine print.
Could you list which companies are using loopholds and are most at fault for not paying claims.
Thanks

by MARY MILLER on Thursday, July 17, 2008

Yes, I would like to see a list of insurers that decline claims most often. Thanks.

by Cams on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I've never been denied a travel insurance payment as I've never purchased travel insurance. But to answer the previous commenters' question, ALL of the companies have fine print with exclusions. You have to read everything to know what is and isn't covered. For example, many people want medical emergency evacuation coverage, thinking that if they are seriously ill or injured it will pay to fly them home. But the definition of medical emergency evacuation in most policies is transportation to the nearest capable medical facility, NOT to your home town or even your home country. That's usually just an ambulance ride in developed countries.

by Bill on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I traveled to my hometown to help my brother when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. Since he needed transportation to chemo, I extended my trip. I thought I would be covered due to the fact that I had purchaced travel insurance. What I found instead, were seemingly endless demands for hospital records, doctor's signatures etc. Every time I would meet one demand, they'd ask for another. They finally wore me down and I quit trying to collect. I've not purchased travel insurance since....nor do I intend to.

by DiAnn on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I want to say something on the flip side of trip insurance not covering items.. Often if you can prove a major hardship (one of the travelers hospitalized or a death to one of the travelers) I found thru a recent experience that Delta refunded my full flight costs (via a credit) for myself and the family member that was hospitalized... and then literally refunded the ticket costs (via a check) when the family member passed away. Yes there was paperwork but they were awesome about it.. so no travel ins was even needed.

by Icarus on Thursday, July 17, 2008

My son had 2 expensive insurance claims. Each for over $6000, with TripInsurance,.com, Global s in the small print. All insurance companies have an 800 number so you can ask questions.....we should use it!

by Norma Marcie on Thursday, July 17, 2008

We signed up for an airline's "World MasterCard" when we booked tickets on their website, in part because one of the "World MasterCard" special features is travel insurance. Our trip was cancelled due to a family member's illness, and guess what? That protection -- that was described in the pamphlet in the envelope with the card -- conveniently is not available on this particular card. The card issuer said to contact the airline, the airline pointed back at the card issuer.

Please, if you are offered a card from an airline, check to make sure they don't weasel out of their side of the bargain.

by Sometime Fly Guy on Thursday, July 17, 2008

Check this out : I got travel insurance to cover a cruise and when i canceled the cruise about 2 months later,and 8 months before the actual cruise, the travel insurance company did not want to give me back the insurance money,saying that I had 15 days to ask for a refund.I replied that I had nothing for them to insure any more since I had canceled the trip,but they would not relent. So, I have insurance coverage for a non existant trip.

by coleridge on Thursday, July 17, 2008

At this point in life, don't think I would buy tickets etc. for a major trip without getting travel insurance. But I'd be careful who I bought it from. Over the past five years, we have claimed three times for trips that had to be canceled and each time got full payment back. Obviously, the reasons for canceling were valid (husband's hip fracture, child's severe illness, and child's death) and we had to provide all the paperwork requested and jump through every hoop. But it was worth it and the company we worked with was excellent. We use AccessAmerica and will continue to insure with them. Not only were they efficient and timely, they were kind.

by Hazel on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I'm a travel agent, and our agency sells a lot of insurance.

In fact, if people refuse to buy insurance, we ask them to sign a waiver.

We use Travelex (mostly we sell the Travelite product) and have never had a claim denied unjustly.

The exclusions are outlined in the brochure. Mostly they are common sense, and frankly they cover many things you wouldn't think of; ie sickness of a family member that isn't even going on the trip.

Considering the horror stories we've experienced in nearly 30 years as a travel agency, travel insurance is a BARGAIN.

by Jason on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I bought insurance for tickets to a Stars on Ice for our entire office staff (9 people) since we were travelling 280 miles to see it, I thought it was a good idea. We could not go due to the weather-Dept of Trans said to "stay off the roads except in emergency" and insurance denied our claim saying "car is not a 'common carrier'" guess if we would have been on the bus we would have been covered!

by Casmsw on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I traveled to Kenya in 2007 with Access America insurance. I was in Kenya for almost 6 months and broke a tooth which had to be repaired. Access America covered the accidental break with no problems. I just had to submit doctor receipts and their forms. I bought insurance in December 2007 to return to Kenya but because of the voting problems and unrest had to cancel. There was no claim but Access America has said that when I return to Kenya in October, they will honor and reset the dates of my insurance policy since I had to cancel my trip. They have been great to me.

by Paula on Thursday, July 17, 2008

My friends son purchased a rt ticket to come home from Camp Lejuene prior to being shipped out to Iraq for a second tour. Unfortunately, his command changed his orders by one day less than an hour after he purchased the tickets. He immediately called the airlines to see if he could change his flight to the following day. The airlines said he could, but because he had not purchased insurance he would have to pay $150.00 cancellation fee and another $120.00 in addition for a new ticket. I called and added insurance this time! Well guess what? The next day his command changed his orders back to the original days of travel. Guess what again? The insurance would not cover military order changes! Now he can no longer afford to come home to see his family prior to deployment thanks to the airlines games.

by Janice Clarke on Thursday, July 17, 2008

I must travel to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for surgery. I do not know how long I will be hospitalized afterward. I tried buying an "open-ended" return ticket, but they don't offer those anymore. So I looked at purchasing travel insurance that would cover the cost of a change. Turns out, none of the insurance companies cover a change for medical reasons that you knew about ahead of time. So I was put in the position of booking a trip, knowing ahead of time the likelihood I would have to change it -- I couldn't wait and travel at the last minute and risk losing the appointment I waited two months to get! The airlines really have zero mercy.

by Amber on Thursday, July 17, 2008

Can anyone share with me delay's in medical evacuations returning to the United States from Mexico?

by Dr. Robert Phelan MD on Thursday, July 17, 2008

Here is a good-news insurance experience. In 2004 a friend and I planned a four-week trip to South Africa, Zambia (Victoria Falls), Namibia, Botswana (safari camps), and Spain. We purchased trip insurance from Access America. My friend had a heart attack in the Capetown airport while waiting to board a flight to Kruger Park. Five days in hospital involving placement of several coronary artery stents, followed by two days rest in a good hotel, and a 30-hour flight home were all covered completely without problem. Access America representatives kept in close phone touch with us during the entire ordeal. Trip interruption losses of about $ 14,000 were paid promptly after we got home. As a result, I have since not gone (and will never go) abroad without first purchasing insurance from Access America.

Brice

by Brice on Thursday, July 17, 2008

My husband and I purchased $400 worth of "Cancel for Any Reason" insurance just in case. Our flight home from Barcelona was delayed causing us to have to rent a car to drive the last segment of our trip home. American Airlines was very vague as to the reason, calling it "Passenger Delay." They've reimbursed us $30 each for the last leg or our trip (big deal!)but still won't clarify the reason for the delay. And it turns out the insurance only covers flight delays caused by weatherso we're out the cost of the rental car. Who knew?

by SLO LADY on Friday, July 18, 2008

I was fully reimbursed through AIG for a recent cancellation on British Airways--after minor jumping trough hoops of course. Just make sure you read up on the "covered reasons" for cancellation. I had to pay a slightly higher premium to include coverage for a "valid work reason." I think it was around $30 extra, but well worth it since I was reimbursed $1,400 for my non-trip to Istanbul.

by Hanzo on Friday, July 18, 2008

My big problem with websites like Expedia,
Travelocity, Orbitz is that they offer travel insurance and there is a link to "Terms and Conditions" for the insurance that NEVER works. I won't buy insurance if I can't find out what is or is not covered.

by Dan on Friday, July 18, 2008

I bought travel insurance through Sky Auction for one of their trips in 2006. They had booked us months in advance to fly on Comet Air from JFK to Spain and back during Thanksgiving week. Only a week before the trip we learned that Comet Air had cancelled our return trip entirely and that we'd have no way to get back home if we flew to Spain. I phoned Sky Auction to discuss our options. She said we could cancel for a full refund or she could book us on another airline for over $200 extra per person. Since it was only a week before our vacation and would have been impossible to make other travel arrangements on such short notice, I told her that since we had purchased Sky Auction travel insurance, I would pay the additional charge and file a claim for the difference. She rebooked us and I filed the claim, only to be told later by the insurer that they would not cover the $456 extra we spent. You'd think since I brought up the subject while on the phone with Sky Auction that their rep would have at least had the courtesy to advise me that their insurance wouldn't pay the extra cost before she rebooked us. I'm still irate over this.

by Michele on Friday, July 18, 2008

Two years ago I planned a trip on Continental airlines and took out trip insurance, because my mother, who was living with me was failing to thrive. Although she did not have cancer, she was provided with hospice care to aid in daily Itasks. The travel insurance, by the way, for myself, daughter and grandchild was expensive. My mother took a turn for the worse and died about a month later. I made a claim to Continental's insurance carrier and was denied. I had the doctor fill out all of the appropriate forms, but because she noted my mother was very depressed (and who wouldn't be when you are dying) they denied the claim, saying that wasn't covered. To say I feel ripped off is the least. I not only lost the money I spent on the insurance, but was unable to make use (with penalties) any of the other reservations I hade made. If there is an honest insurance company out there for travel insurance, I would sure like to know. In the meantime, I won't spend my money again on travel insurance again, as I believe they would find some reason to deny any legitimate claim again.

by Barbara Amstadter on Friday, July 18, 2008

The real dirty secret that most peddlers of travel insurance won't mention is that even the most deluxe all-perils, platinum packages won't cover the loss of your investment in the trip should the airlines fail, due to mechanical problems or inability to locate a sober flight crew (personnel issues), to get you to your destination in time for your cruise ship's embarkation!

by Chris Bonwich on Friday, July 18, 2008

The following describes what happened following bankruptcy of Skybus Airlines earlier this year. The tickets and insurance were purchased in January 2008 for 15 seats for a round trip family vacation to Florida. Skybus went bankrupt before the scheduled commencement of the intinerary.

This fine print is the cited basis for denial of coverage by the insurance provider (National Union Fire Insurance Company or Pittsburgh, PA.):

“This coverage does not include loss caused by….(vi) Default by the person, agency, or tour operator from whom the Insured bought his/her coverage or purchase his/her travel arrangements… ; (ix) financial default of the travel supplier from whom the Insured bought his/her coverage or purchased his/her travel arrangements.”

I argue two (2) points with my credit card company (through which I charged the air fare and insurance) regarding enforcement of the clause:
1) The policy terms were not provided until after the insurance was purchased. It is not possible to be an informed buyer if terms are not disclosed PRIOR to purchase.
2) The insurer was charging for a non-existent risk since the airline went out of business prior to the trip commencement date. This would be akin to charging for life insurance for a person who was already dead.

I purchased the insurance because I believed the airline was having financial difficulty. It is appalling to think that insurance purchased for travel on a "shaky" airline doesn't cover the failure of the airline. Excluding coverage of this potential event leaves a pretty weak basis for purchase of the insurance in the first place.

by Thomas E. Wessel on Friday, July 18, 2008

Please find a good travel agent. All of you.

Some of the expectations you have of insurance policies will be cleared up, in detail, but a good travel agent. Ahead of time.

Heck, email me. I'll answer any questions you have.

by Jason on Friday, July 18, 2008

Last year my friend and I planned a trip to the UK. My husband became ill and subsequently died here in California of Mad-Cow disease. We had to cancel the trip. The insurance co. was AIG and they were very efficient in processing my refund and my friend's refund, upon presenting a death certificate. The trip insurance covered every expense, including theatre tickets we couldn't use. As a side note, we were to fly out of Toronto on AirCanada. They refunded directly to us for a portion of the trip not covered with AIG. I only wish my husbands life insurance was as pleasant to deal with as AIG.

by CJD WIFE on Friday, July 18, 2008

MY TRAVEL INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER ME BECAUSE ALOHA AIRLINE WENT BANKRUPT. I WAS TOLD BY 2 PEOPLE I WAS COVERED AND NOT TO WORRY THAT THEY WERE GOING TO COVER US ANYWAY. THE INSURANCE WAS MERCURY. I BOUGHT IT AFTER USING FREQUENT FLYER MILES FROM CARLSON TRAVEL AND WAS TOLD I COULDN'T GET THE MILES BACK EITHER. I FEEL RIPPED OFF.

by BETTY BOWEN on Friday, July 18, 2008

I've filled 4 claims with trip insurance, 2 small and 2 large (1 cruise cancellation for family medical and 1 for air evac from Jamaica to U.S. with hospital) . All have been paid. I use CSA or AIG, all through insuremytrip.com. Read the policy and don't expect payment for things that are not covered.

by Jim on Friday, July 18, 2008

My husband has been the sole minister of our church for over 35 years. He had trip insurance for a flight down South to do Katrina Recovery work. A very close parishioner passed away and he had to return early. We were denied any insurance benefits because she wasn't a blood relative. I really thought they should have been more considerate considering the circumstances and the importance of where he had been and the urgent need for his return.

by K. Culton on Friday, July 18, 2008

We had to cut short a trip to Greece recently because my father-in-law passed away. The travel insurance we purchased through Expedia for our Continental flight to London was processed quickly, and we received a full refund. The insurance purchased to cover the EasyJet flight from London to Crete (purchased through Mondial) was denied (not so quickly, by the way) because we were not UK citizens. Why would they sell us insurance, knowing full well we did not qualify for coverage?

by Barb on Friday, July 18, 2008

We have had very good experiences with insurance purchased through Expedia one time a trip for three was canceled due to two passengers illness and another time trip duration had to be changed when a visit for a family illness resulted in the death of relative. Both times we were treated with kindness and efficient refunds.

by D. Murtagh on Saturday, July 19, 2008

On the other hand, Delta was cooperative about a schedule change last November. I flew to South Africa to take care of my brother after surgery. I had to extend my trip by several days. We worked with a travel agent in SA, she said to get a letter from the doctor about needing to stay to care for my brother. I presented the letter to Delta at check-in and the change fee was waived. No hassles at all! Thanks, Delta!

by homeopathinwisc on Saturday, July 19, 2008

After reading about travel insurance, I was wondering why there isn't a way that the traveling public can be made aware of which companies have a good record and which ones are rated poorly so that we can make an informed decision.

by Ivan on Tuesday, July 22, 2008

To Janice Clark whose son's military travel orders kept changing: Which airline denied your son's request? I want to know so I can write them and tell them why I will not travel on their airline. How dare they deny such a reasonable request for one in our armed forces. Thank your son for his service for me!

by Christi Williams on Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Access America is truly a good company. Their kindness was refreshing, and there was no delay in processing the claim. Bravo!

by Susan Glynn on Thursday, July 24, 2008

my travel insurance policy was denied. i was diagnosed with left side breast cancer-
july of 07. planned a cruise and took out travel insurance. then diagnosed with right side breast cancer in august 07 and my surgery was scheduled for the day the
cruise left. double mastectomy--- i turned in my forms all correct and signed by dr only to have them denied on some technicality. i tried again with even more info and again denied . so yes i have had experience with the bad side of travel
insurance.

by allyson peterson on Sunday, July 27, 2008

"After reading about travel insurance, I was wondering why there isn't a way that the traveling public can be made aware of which companies have a good record and which ones are rated poorly so that we can make an informed decision. "
by Ivan
There is, Ivan. It is called the AM best rating, and you should always make sure you only deal with A rated carriers. it is so sad to hear about people's bad experiences with Travel Insurance. As a travel agent, I emlore you, purchase your insurance from an INSURANCE agent. Not a travel agent, not your credit card, not expedia, and heaven forbid not from the airline. if an airline goes bankrupt it will not cover your claim, obviously. And we travel agents get a commission for selling you insurance, and will likely recommend a plan that will get us the better commission, not what is best for you.
If I may recommend a very honest travel insurance agency that i deal with, please check out www.worldwidemedical.com
These are great folks who will tell you exactly what is covered and what is not, and will bring your attention to the fine print and things you may not notice. In my career, I have seen hundreds of people successfully file and settle their claims with them. You just have to deal with reputable people. my brother in law caught spinal meningitis last year while overseas. he was flown back to the states and treated, incurred about 45 grand in claims, and had everything paid immediately. Like anything else, some bad companies out there can give the whole bunch a bad rep, but there are some great comapnies out there. You insure your house, your car, anything of value. Why not insure your health and vacation?

by milodanger on Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Last year my friend and I planned a trip to the UK. My husband became ill and subsequently died here in California of Mad-Cow disease. We had to cancel the trip. The insurance co. was AIG and they were very efficient in processing my refund and my friend's refund, upon presenting a death certificate. The trip insurance covered every expense, including theatre tickets we couldn't use. As a side note, we were to fly out of Toronto on AirCanada. They refunded directly to us for a portion of the trip not covered with AIG. I only wish my husbands life insurance was as pleasant to deal with as AIG.

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