Hello everyone!!!
I have an upcoming liveaboard trip to Thailand (March/25), but there's a slight chance I may not be able to go.
The reason wouldn’t fall under any of the categories typically covered by standard trip insurance (I usually have DAN Trip Insurance).
I’ve started looking into trip insurance with a 'cancel for any reason' clause. Has anyone here ever had this type of insurance and could recommend one?
Thank you everyone!!!
EDIT: Just saw that I posted this in the wrong forum.. not related to All Star Liveaboard. ... sorry about that...
My girlfriend and I were booked to go to Cozumel for Day of the Dead and had to cancel. We had Dan (Generali) "For Any Reason" insurance. SouthWest quit flying directly to the island so we booked a flight to Cancun. My hip started giving me more trouble so I figured the "Bag Drag" would not be a good idea (we are in our 70s) so I booked a pricey flight on American to CZM. The next morning I could not find any verification of my booking so I called American Airlines. They told me the booking did not go through but they still had two seats left on the flight for twice as much money. Whew! It was already expensive. Since we booked our AirBnB for more than 30 days we could only get a refund for the 5 or 6 days that were over 30 days (I will never again book an AirBnB for 30 days). I filed a claim with Generali and was denied. They said it was because I had a pre-existing condition. Well, then why are they calling it "For Any Reason?" It is total BS and I am going to complain to the California Insurance Board. To me this is a scam. Has anyone here ever actually filed a claim for their trip insurance and got a refund? Also, I realized after I had booked our flight that the first ferry to PDC was not until about 8:00am and we had a slim chance of getting to CUN 3 hours before our flight. Here is what Generali sent me this morning:
We have received your response from the denial of your claim. You indicated that you have the cancel for any reason policy.
Upon further investigation for reconsideration, we have concluded that your claim remains denied as stands.
The policy states the following about the requirements for cancel for any reason.
"1. your payment for this coverage is received within 24 hours of the date your initial deposit for your Trip is received;"
According to the documentation you do not meet this qualification, we can not reverse the claim determination.
We apologize we cannot be of service to you in this matter.
Please see the original denial below.
According to the information provided, your trip was cancelled as a result of your injury. The policy states, "The Sickness, Injury or death of you, your Family Member, your Traveling Companion or your Service Animal. The Sickness or Injury must first commence while your coverage is in effect under the Policy, must require the in-person treatment by a Physician, and must be so disabling in the written opinion of a Physician as to prevent you from taking your Trip (either because your condition prevents your travel, or because your Family Member, Traveling Companion or your Service Animal requires your care)."
The policy also states, "1. We will not pay for any loss under this Policy, caused by, or resulting from:...a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition, event or circumstance which occurs at a time when coverage is not in effect for you” and, "We will not pay for loss or expense caused by or incurred resulting from a Pre-Existing Condition, as defined in the Definitions section, including death that results there from."
The policy defines a Pre-Existing Condition as, "...a Sickness or Injury during the 180-day period immediately prior to your effective date for which you or your Traveling Companion: (1) received, or received a recommendation for, a diagnostic test, examination, or medical treatment; or (2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item 2 of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 180-day period before coverage is effective under this Policy.”
Additionally, the plan indicates when coverage begins, stating, “Trip Cancellation coverage will take effect at 12:01 A.M. local time at your location on the day after your premium payment is received by us or our authorized agent.”
The effective date of your policy is 8/22/2024, and the medical documentation provided by your doctor indicates that the sickness that caused your loss has been ongoing prior to when the coverage under the policy became effective. As the condition is Pre-Existing as defined, and did not occur after your policy became effective, no benefits are payable for your claim.
Please refer to your Description of Coverage or Travel Insurance Policy, under the headings "ELIGIBILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATES...When Coverage Begins," to "PRE-EXISTING CONDITION" under the heading "DEFINITIONS," to "TRIP CANCELLATION BENEFIT...Covered Events:" and to "GENERAL EXCLUSIONS" for further policy details.
Should you feel your claim has been improperly denied or rejected, we want you to know you may contact the California Department of Insurance with your complaint and seek assistance from the governmental agency that regulates insurance. To contact the Department, write or call: California Department of Insurance, Claim Services Bureau, 300 South Spring Street, South Tower, Los Angeles, CA 90013. The toll-free number is 1-800-927-HELP (4357)-within CA or 1-213-897-8921-outside CA.
If you’d like to share feedback with DAN regarding this product’s coverages, features or benefits, please contact them at (800) 446-2671 or
feedback@dan.org .
The Company fully reserves any and all rights and defenses available to it now and in the future, and does not waive any such rights or defenses, whether arising under the policy or otherwise.
Warm regards,
Virginia Pittman
To me this does not fall under the definition of "For Any Reason." The least they could (should) do is refund the price of the trip insurance.
