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Post your most shocking reasons why your travel insurance claim was denied

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Post your most shocking reasons why your travel insurance claim was denied

Posted by George Hobica on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Every week, we hear a new sad tale about how someone thought they were covered by trip insurance, but later found out that a hidden loophole allowed the insurer to refuse coverage.

How about the woman who bought the bike tour through Holland but when the biking tour company cancelled because there weren't enough participants, her request to cover her non-refundable airfare to Europe was denied (reason: failure of a tour company to operate a tour is not covered). Oh, and she had to still pay her insurance premium.

How about the woman whose mother was diagnosed with cancer just before a trip? She claims that because her mother wasn't a US citizen and lived outside the US, the insurer denied coverage when she was forced to cancel her trip (her mother wasn't traveling).

Or did you know that some policies deny coverage for all amateur sporting events and training? So when a mother learned that her teenage son was seriously injured during football practice and decided to cancel her trip, her insurer refused to cover her (again, the son wasn't the one traveling).

Why was YOUR travel insurance claim denied? Tell us by leaving a comment. We'll compile a list of the 25 most surprising reasons for coverage denial so that other travelers will be forewarned.

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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 meningitis symptoms on Wednesday, June 03, 2009
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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