Travel Insurance - is it worth it and do they really pay?

I think the devil is in the details, as it probably does depend on the circumstances of your
situation, which I think we can infer here, although you don't go into details.

It sounds like you made alternative arrangements after the airline cancelled your return
trip. If you did not let the original airline try and accommodate you (maybe you did and
they said they could fly you out 4 days later?), that is why (to me anyways) the airline is
denying any reimbursement (although they should refund you for the unused portion
of your original ticket).

Cancelling the return ticket appears to have also invalidated the travel insurance. There
has to be some clause that covers how they manage flight cancellations - maybe you have
to contact them to rebook, or some such thing (it would be goofy, but if it's in the contract
you signed....).

Anyways, doing what you thought you had to do to get home appears to gotten you home,
but not the way either the airline or travel insurance company would have done it.

We're missing some critical information. What reasons were given by the airline and insurance company for refusing reimbursement? Did you call both before making your own plans? What did they say? Have you tried your credit card insurance? It typically has trip interruption insurance. I don't know if it will cover your situation though.

It's important to read any policy carefully do understand what 'cancel for any reason' actually covers. It's not for any reason. In fact I came across an article a few weeks ago that said there was at least one company offering cancel for any *other** reason* insurance to cover situations that the other doesn't cover. But guess what? It doesn't cover all the other reasons either.

I would call that situation, trip interruption and file it as that.

There are different levels of (AIG) travel insurance, which one did you purchase?

I will also note that this is why one should try not to purchase air travel through a
3rd party. You may not have had a choice given it was Tunisia, but an IRROPS situation
often turns into finger pointing with you stuck in the middle.

For the record, I never purchase travel insurance... I suppose I might consider it for
something like medical evacuation coverage if I was going to climb Everest or something
like that.

I get AIG trip cancellation insurance through my credit card provider and I’ve had a couple claims where illness or injury forced us to cancel the entire trip. They reimbursed me for documented expenses that weren’t refunded by the travel supplier with no issues. The big limitation is that Delta now provides travel credits when you cancel a non refundable flight, so you have to take the credit and fly some other time instead of getting the money from the trip cancellation insurance.

I have never bought travel insurance (I have international health insurance) in large part because I assumed when the time came my situation would not be covered like yours in this case and like all those covid cancellations in 2020 where people lost a lot of money + paid for ultimately worthless insurance. It’s really unfortunate that you paid extra for cancel for any reason insurance and were still left high and dry.

Kudos to Southwest for taking care of you without needing insurance.

I try to reduce exposure to losses by avoiding tours and cruises and booking refundable lodging. Other than $400 in March 2020 losses haven’t lost travel funds, over the years over $100,000 and all uninsured.

We always use TravelGuard, and we have also had favorable experiences when we have had to file claims

I think the key thing to do is to (in all caps to emphasize) CALL YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPANY the minute you find out things are going wonky. That way they can guide you thru the process, advise you what is best under your policy, and likely delight you in ways you never dreamed.

We had a small cruise line (no longer in business) cease a cruise mid-way, along the Canadian coast. People were told they would be put on a bus to go to the final stop (10 hours away). I called TravelGuard and they immediately arranged a flight home for us from where the cruiseline had its mid-way final stop. All expenses (taxi to the airport, meals while at the airport, and taxi home were covered under our travel insurance), as well as the last-minute flight home and reimbursement for the portion of the trip that did not take place. We were delighted. We later talked with others who had taken the bus, and it was a miserable trip with only one stop during the 10 hours.

I did do my part (without being asked) and got a letter from the ship's captain confirming the cruise had been abruptly stopped. No employee of the cruise line itself would give me anything in writing, but I was politely persistent and kindly requested such of the captain. (One does need to be one's own advocate.)

As far as airline credits for a future trip (another poster mentioned Delta gives airline credits for a future flight so they were not reimbursed for the money spent on the flight). On two occasions that has not been the case with us....yes, the airline will offer credits, but if you do not want to take such, you merely tell the trip insurance company that you will not be able to travel within that timeframe....you will be asked to sign something saying that basically says that you would be committing fraud if you accepted trip insurance payment and then double dipped by using the airline flgiht credit...reasonable. Be sure to ask about that option...many assume one has to just accept the airline credit.

Granted, it has been several years since we have had to file a claim, and things could have changed in that timeframe. But, check/double-check/and never assume. And, remember to be in touch with your trip insurance company pronto before making any decisions. Read your policy BEFORE you buy, and keep excellent records of your expenses. Also, be sure to insure every penny of your non-refundable expenses as you pay them, so you are not kicked out for not insuring everything along the way....especially on the larger expenses like airline, hotel, etc.

Also have a very good understanding of the differences in the various policies you might be offered.

Thanks Maggie. I don't think I or my travel companion phoned Travelguard when Turkish Airlines cancelled our flight home. We contacted Travelocity and TA. Good to know for future reference.

Having heard from a couple friends/family, I decided to keep the upgraded policy I purchased for 2026 trip after all. Hopefully there won't be any issues to file a claim. I just insured the RS trip. My pre-tour hotel is refundable and when I book the flights, I will book refundable (with 2+ hour layover in Europe). Won't be on Turkish though...

I don't know how to close this topic. If an admin can do that, please do. Thanks again to everyone for your input!

I buy the Travel Guard Insurance for every trip I take. Only once did I need to file a claim. In April 2023, I was on the RS South England tour and I twisted my knee and couldn't walk. I was in extreme pain. The guide diverted our bus to the nearest city with a NHS hospital and left me in the ER. The plan was I would take a taxi to the nearest tour hotel and he would meet me and take me to my room. This turned out to be in the charming town of Chagford.
Upon arrival in the ER, I immediately called TG and someone answered and gave me instructions on how to transmit my information to them and the doctor's diagnosis and statement, etc. When I obtained that I sent it to TG. This was 1 am in the morning in England and it was 3 am when the taxi deposited me at our hotel. John, our guide, helped me to my room which unbelievably was outfitted with wheelchair access because I was on crutches. Monday, the next morning, TG was there on the phone talking me through all the steps necessary for me to get to Heathrow to fly home. Tuesday they purchased a business class ticket on Delta home because my leg had to be elevated, price - $10,000. They paid for it. I kept receipts for everything private driver to Heathrow, meals, hotel at Heathrow. Driver in Atlanta to pick me up at the airport. Rick Steves sent a letter stating how many days I missed of the tour and the dollar amount. TG paid me for everything.
So, yes, Travel Guard insurance is worth it.

Maggie and Judy B,

Thanks for sharing your experience with Travel Guard. I'll have to give them a look.

We've been using IMG the last several trips. And while they and Insure My Trip have always answered my questions satisfactorily, we've never made a claim, fortunately.

I am very curious about the post above that states they received a $10,000 business class seat to elevate their leg for a return trip home. That the company did it for them and covered it and that they took your word that you could not walk. It seems there was no hospitalization required.
I looked up Travel Guard and on their best plan ( deluxe) I did not see anything that would allow such a thing. Under what category of coverage was that done?

treemoss2,

I'm not the poster your questioning.

Taking a look at my last IMG Travel LX policy, under Travel Arrangement Protection -Medical Evacuation and Repatriation - Medical Repatriation, it shows upgrade to business class would be covered if required by the local attending physician due to a covered injury or sickness. Hospitalization not a requirement.

But, as stated above. I have never filed a claim with IMG.

Treemoss2,
I had a diagnosis from the doctor in the hospital in Exeter that my leg had to be elevated. I scanned all documents to Travel Guard and they approved my claim. I was in contact by phone with TG. Superior service!