I'm coming to the conclusion that travel insurance is one of the biggest rackets out there. They will jump on any technicality they can to get out of fulfilling coverage.
Princess Beatrice
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I'm coming to the conclusion that travel insurance is one of the biggest rackets out there. They will jump on any technicality they can to get out of fulfilling coverage.
They just sent you an unsolicited notice? Unbelievable.
They will pay eventually if too many people complain, let see what happen...
It is truly disgraceful. If it comes to it it would probably be better for us to deal directly with the airlines and the hotels to reschedule.
If need be, I will call out the insurance company on every form of social media. I will write the most scathing reviews on websites. I will report them to the BBB and CPB.
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I have also read that travel insurance doesn't usually cover things like this unless you get a policy that allows cancellation for any reason. But the airlines are letting people reschedule and many hotels allow cancellations up to a certain point. We will have to cancel a trip in early May, I am fairly certain, and I think it looks like we will lose no more than $300 between the airline and hotel cancellation fees if we do it within the cancellation times. I'd try to cancel this way before using travel insurance anyway.
But as for weddings, it's a huge deal to have to postpone and I really feel sorry for anyone who has to do so. We have friends whose son is getting married this weekend, and they had last minute cancellations from the venues in the last few days because the state said last weekend no more than 100 people gathering, and subsequently most restaurants and venues have closed except for take out orders. This couple is getting married anyway at the home of the son's parents, and they rescheduled the big wedding and reception for September. One of my daughter's best friends is getting married in mid-April. I know they were going to London and Italy for their honeymoon, so obviously they've already had to give that up. Since guidelines aren't get out for April, I guess the wedding hasn't been cancelled, but I am expecting that to happen. My daughter got married last August, and if we had had to cancel within 2 weeks of the wedding, I think I would have had some kind of meltdown after all that work.
As for the royal family, I hope they continue on for the sake of history. I feel very sorry for Beatrice, although I imagine she didn't have to do all that planning herself.
But as for weddings, it's a huge deal to have to postpone and I really feel sorry for anyone who has to do so. We have friends whose son is getting married this weekend, and they had last minute cancellations from the venues in the last few days because the state said last weekend no more than 100 people gathering, and subsequently most restaurants and venues have closed except for take out orders. This couple is getting married anyway at the home of the son's parents, and they rescheduled the big wedding and reception for September. One of my daughter's best friends is getting married in mid-April. I know they were going to London and Italy for their honeymoon, so obviously they've already had to give that up. Since guidelines aren't get out for April, I guess the wedding hasn't been cancelled, but I am expecting that to happen. My daughter got married last August, and if we had had to cancel within 2 weeks of the wedding, I think I would have had some kind of meltdown after all that work.
As for the royal family, I hope they continue on for the sake of history. I feel very sorry for Beatrice, although I imagine she didn't have to do all that planning herself.
Many insurance policies don't cover "acts of god" and I could see insurance companies using this escape clause to get out of coverage due to the current pandemic.
@cafecreme15 I'm sorry for the added stress. Everything will work out!
The better question is what DO these useless companies cover?
I used to buy it, but then the one time I made a claim, when the airline lost my brand new Britax car seat, they refused to cover and I said never again.
Now I don’t buy it, I figure the amount I save by not buying it over the years will make up for what I could lose on a trip gone wrong.
My husband's mother traveled all over the world and always bought travel insurance. Then two years ago she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and only lived about six weeks after diagnosis. She had a trip to Europe scheduled at the time. The travel insurance company would not fulfill the policy because they said one of the flight numbers did not match what they had on record. My husband called many times and they did nothing.
My husband's mother traveled all over the world and always bought travel insurance. Then two years ago she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and only lived about six weeks after diagnosis. She had a trip to Europe scheduled at the time. The travel insurance company would not fulfill the policy because they said one of the flight numbers did not match what they had on record. My husband called many times and they did nothing.
I’m really sorry
On the opposite side of that - I know someone who went on a River Cruise in Europe, got Legionaries, was hospitalized for a month (3 of that in ICU) and when finally able to fly home she had to have a private nurse fly with her - travel insurance paid for almost all of it.
I've got a trip coming up in a couple months and also bought travel insurance for it, though not "cancel for any reason" type insurance. I also bought it last November, before the first person came down with the virus, so it will be interesting to see what the insurance company does. First though, contact the airline to reschedule for whatever future date might work, or even rebook and go to Hawaii or something. Then you could contact your hotels if you prepaid for them and ask them to reschedule or refund. You might get better service from the airlines and hotels directly. Then go to the insurer with anything that still hasn't been reimbursed. Also, check your credit card that you used to charge any of your trip arrangements, there may be trip insurance attached to the card so your credit card company might help you out.
Back to Bea and Edo! I am sorry for her too, she has had a heck of a time trying to get married.
That's what I was thinking - just dealing with the airlines and hotels in the first instance. I'll be waiting a few weeks at least though until we know more, since the airlines have been urging people not to call them unless your travel plans are imminent. Good idea about cc company - my concierge is great so hopefully they could help if need be.
Apologies for hijacking this thread! Tl;dr I feel bad for Bea because this is stress that no one deserves at what should be a happy time, but not too bad since she has all the flexibility in the world around rescheduling the logistics.
@cafecreme15. I'm really sorry for what you and your fiance are going through. I imagine there are many brides out there with the same issue, what to do about the wedding this month, next month, or in May? Just unfortunate all around and I hope that all your vendors and venues are flexible and kind to you all.
I'm in the same boat, not going to call the airline for at least 6 weeks, they have their hands full with people still trying to get home.
Back to Bea . . she may have a new position coming up as Counsellor of State. With QEII and PC stepping back and into isolation due to their ages, William is stepping into their place and they may appoint Bea as a Counsellor of State to help William going forward.
I'm in the same boat, not going to call the airline for at least 6 weeks, they have their hands full with people still trying to get home.
Back to Bea . . she may have a new position coming up as Counsellor of State. With QEII and PC stepping back and into isolation due to their ages, William is stepping into their place and they may appoint Bea as a Counsellor of State to help William going forward.