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Insurance: popular but useless?

June 9, 2006

One-third of vacationers will buy travel insurance, about triple the pre-9/11 numbers, according to the US Travel Insurance Association, US News reports. But the real question is: of those, how many travelers eventually make a claim. And how many claims result in compensation?

Answer: Who knows?

My “in” box is cluttered with complaints about supposedly “reputable” insurance agencies denying what are described as legitimate claims. Unfortunately, mediating such disagreements is difficult. Once an insurance company has made its mind to deny a claim, it’s very difficult to persuade it to reconsider.

Now don’t get me wrong. I always recommend insurance on big-ticket travel purchases (over $10,000). But I also recommend undertaking a rigorous due-diligence process. Don’t take the first policy your travel agent offers you. Do a little research. And please, please, read all of the fine print.

No one wants to have to make a claim this summer. But if you do, you want to be sure it will be honored.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

4 comments

  • Bob Ames

    Bought Euro river boat cruise last fall from CSA for rather inexpensive trip amounting to just over $3000 insurance coverage. When my mom broke hip 450 miles from me one day before departure, I cancelled to give care and comfort as I am only child and she was 98 years.

    Sent all the info requested to CSA and four weeks later check for full amount arrived. They received complete info from me they advised and willingly paid the claim.

    I continue to use CSA on virtually all overseas travel plans we make.

  • John Gasink

    Taking Carnival (never again) on western carribean itin out of Miami – 3 hour delay in detroit – 30 plus carnival passengers on this plane – they reroute the two who bought insurance through the cruiseline to cancun. Everybdy else they take to miami – we land at 4 for a 4 pm sailing – (btw ship didnt depart til 5 pm) – cruise agent convinces Northworst (lost my luggage) to book us flights to cozumel to meet the ship in two days – gets us hotel rooms and dinner for one night… We take tickets rebook for the next morning, find an internet terminal and book hotel in cozumel – insurance picked up all expenses in cozumel – transport to the hotel, meals etc.. should have stayed at the hotel… met ship when it docked… very suprised cabin steward!!! to say the least – other passengers spent day trapped in hotel – and then almost missed the ship aqgain because the plane was delayed!

  • http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/blog Steve Dasseos

    While there’s no way of knowing how many people are unsatisfied with the way their tvel insurance claim is paid, I think it’s a safe guess that many people don’t ever read their travel insurance or travel protection plans.

    In fact, I think people usually don’t even know that a travel insurance plan is different from a travel protection plan (offered by tour companies & cruise lines).

    We regularly receive calls that start with, “I didn’t buy travel insurance from you, but I’m hoping you can help me…” Sadly, we can’t help them.

  • http://www.merciamarine.co.uk David – Boat Insurance Company Employee

    Here speaks the voice of an insurer (albeit a boat insurer!), read the small print… yes it’s laborious but check our their conditions/ exceptions sections and don’t be fooled by lowest quotes, they’re nearly always lower because you’re covered for less so you’re not comaring like for like. Like most things in life you get what you pay for…

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