As if not having the opportunity to experience your trip or vacation was bad enough, when you go to file a claim for a refund, you were denied. But wait, you bought Trip Cancellation Insurance, right?
Unfortunately, many people are left confused by this response from insurance companies. And just because you purchased the trip cancellation insurance, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re protected from all scenarios. So, here are the top five reasons a claim can be denied.
Losing out on a trip can be extremely unfortunate. And most of the time, it is the result of pure bad luck. But if there is an eligible covered reason to cancel your trip, it is important to follow the necessary steps and officially cancel the trip. You need to notify your airline, wherever you had accommodations to stay, and any planned trip events like guided tours, excursions, etc. that you will not be able to make it. Not only that, but you also need to cancel with enough notice.
Most travel insurance policies offer some bit of protection for an unexpected illness or injury. But of course, there are requirements for your claim to be accepted. Many times, you must see a licensed medical doctor and undergo a physical examination to determine whether you are fit enough to travel. If you have a pre-existing condition, it’s even more important to check to see whether you have coverage for that specific pre-existing condition.
It’s important to remember that when dealing with any insurance claim, you provided the proper paperwork and the reason for your cancellation to your insurance provider. This includes receipts for all expenses already paid, the copy of your hotel or resort confirmation, and any updates from your tour, airliner, or other entity.
A trip cancellation policy is to protect you as a consumer for the often unforeseen and out-of-your control events that delay or prevent you from travelling. The policy doesn’t provide coverage if your trip wasn’t interrupted. For example, if you purchased travel insurance after seeing a news report that a hurricane was nearing your vacation destination, you likely won’t be eligible for coverage because it wouldn’t be considered as an unexpected event.
It can be a headache having to sit down and read through all the fine print of an insurance policy. But there is a reason for the detail. The policy is designed to ensure the insurance company is protected too. Often from fraudulent claims. Because of that, it is smart to make sure you truly understand every aspect of your plan, and act according to the policy. When in doubt, you can always call your travel insurance provider for a greater explanation of your trip insurance policy.
Visit “File a Claim” for more information on how to file a claim, access our online claims portal or find out more information about our claims resolution process.
