We are scheduled to fly in 3 weeks to Munich then do a 2 week bike and barge trip.
Turns out hubby tore a muscle a few weeks ago and may not be capable of sitting for long let alone biking.
I did buy travel insurance. But since only one of us has the problem do you think insurance would cover both of us if we cancel?
I know it would be best to call insurance company, but thought i would ask here.
Thanks
Ouch. Sorry to hear this. Assuming you are both named on the policy, no problem to cancel the whole thing. You will need a letter from the doctor and copies of the records. The insurance company may want the letter on their own form.
We had a similar situation in June 2023— my husband tore his hamstring just a week before a trip to Banff that included a non-refundable stay at a lovely backcountry lodge, and cycling as well as hiking. Cost was around $1000. He could not sit comfortably for the drive in the car, let alone ride a bike or hike. We had a check from the insurance company for reimbursement within 2 weeks.
Every insurance policy I ever bought covers you if a family member is injured like this and can’t travel with you. I don’t think it’s rare at all. That’s the whole reason. I’m bought them when I was traveling with my mother.
Actually, Kenko, I think most policies do cover traveling companions.
I just looked at my regular travel policy that I usually buy and that covers the "sickness or injury" of a family member, traveling companion, etc. that occurs before the trip, is examined and treated by a physician, and, as certified by a physician, results in medical restrictions so disabling as to cancel the trip.
But definitely check your own policy.
I see the incorrect post was deleted.
We have recovered full expenses under the trip cancellation provision twice in the past two years—the torn hamstring incident mentioned above, and more recently a trip to the UK last April, when my husband came down with painful shingles a week before departure. We had booked a 4-day all-inclusive guided hiking holiday that was non-refundable that close to the date. We were fully reimbursed for that and the sort of the train tickets to the location. Other hotels and flights booked with miles were refundable so not covered.
Note that flight costs might possibly be denied if the airline offers a voucher for future travel. But if there is a fee involved for the date change, they may cover that.
Not applicable here, because the injured traveler is your husband, but others might be interested to know that the “travel companion” listed under reasons for cancellation may include unrelated parties. We had a ski trip to Whistler planned with another couple, with a package that included lifts and lodging. The cost was around $1200 and the company offered travel insurance for another $85. I had never bought it before, but this time it seemed prudent. Early in the morning on the day we were to depart, I got a call from our friend, saying her husband was in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism that sent him to the ER in the middle of the night. We did not want to go on the trip without them, so canceled the whole thing. And the Canadian insurance company paid in full without any hassle.
I have purchased trip insurance for every foreign trip since then, but went another 10 years before actually needing it.
I checked my policy with the company I always buy travel insurance from —Generali Global Assistance— and WOW!- it turns out it covers cancellation of an entire trip for BOTH of the insured before the trip has even started! I knew it would cover both once the trip began, but never had read it would cover both if either one was injured prior to the trip commencing. It even covers cancelling a trip due to a funeral of an extended family member back home. So, I learned a lot from this post, thanks to Lola, Carol and Mardee.
Not wanting to misinform anyone- I decided to delete my post until I could check into it.
Thanks to all and Happy Labor Day!
Thanks everyone. He goes back to the doctor on the 19th. We are going to not make a decision until after that visit.
My stress level is much lower now. I have just started purchasing trip insurance so i fell relieved i bought it when i booked this trip last year.
From now on i will invest in insurance when booking non-refundable trips.
Kenko, no worries! And it's always nice when the worst scenario you think you know turns out to be much better! :-)
Let me rain on your parade a bit ---- it ALL depends what the fine print says. It great that all of the above have have had wonderful experiences with their insurance policies BUT it is their insurance policies. Hopefully your policy is written along similar lines and gives the same results. But it is total dependent what what your policy says. Start reading it and call the insurance provider. They are the only ones that count. Good Luck.
