jclinard

Insurance won't pay for your flights if your cruise is canceled. Been there, done that. That's why I book my flights via the cruise line.

I have read policies. Several of them. Having been burned once, I made the decision to never be burned again. That's why I gave up on trip insurance, because there is almost no way to make a successful claim. It's why I'm prepared to eat the non-refundable costs of a trip if something happens, because the only thing worse than that is thinking insurance will pay, only to find it won't. Then you're out for both the trip costs and the insurance cost, plus you come away realizing you were played for a prime sucker by the people who sold the insurance policy. That hurts worse than losing the money. Medical costs don't have limits. I got an annual policy, but it will expire in a few months and I've never had to make a claim. I'll have to find a new one, and you can be sure I'll read the entire policy.

No traveling companions, and I'm in the United States.

I don't think medical people are going to search for a contact person on the other side of the world, so they can contact the insurance company, to authorize treatment.

I'm still trying to figure out how, if I'm incapacitated, I can call my insurance company to authorize treatment in order to be covered.

The only times I've taken FCC was during the COVID cancelation period, when Royal Caribbean was offering a bonus 25% of it in lieu of cash. It was a little complicated, but I ended up with a replacement for the trip I booked, plus a seven day Caribbean, with all of it covered by the FCC, except about $200. I would not have taken the FCC if it was in the same amount as the cash.

Avoid TravelGuard like the plague. Don't take my word for it. Look up people who tried to collect on Israel trips with TravelGuard compared to other insurance companies. Do you own research. Don't listen to anybody who wants to tell you great things about how quickly the company deposited the premiums but has no experience making a claim. Don't take the word of random people on the internet without checking their claims (that includes everything I've said).

Only accept a recommendation from somebody who has attempted to file a claim.

I have also been called to jury duty in Nevada during a time when I had a pre-booked cruise. The summons provided instructions on how to defer service, which I did.

Better read the policy. Twice. Question every paragraph that details coverage and exclusions. Understand if there is any wiggle room, they'll issue a denial. Read customer reviews and complaints on the BBB before buying. Never take recommendations from people who only know how fast they deposit the premiums. Listen to people who have attempted to make claims. See how many of them know what color the checks are, and how long it takes for them to arrive.

How long did it take for them to pay your claim?

I had my baggage delayed upon returning home a few years ago. I read my policy carefully and it was clear they won't pay. It was delivered about 30 hours afterwards.

Medical, yes. For anything else, better read the policy first. You'll find you can only collect under a very limited set of circumstances. You should also look up cases with the BBB to get a feel about how claims go. Don't make the mistakes I made when buying travel insurance, and having my claim denied.

I have never been paid on any of my claims. I've only gotten denial letters. I tell people not to use Travel Guard because of my experience. But I urge anybody to not just take my word for it. Look up reviews with the BBB. Never take recommendations from people who are very happy with how quickly they cashed the premium check but have never made a claim. Ask for a policy before buying. Try using their e-mail to make a query about it (on one policy I made ten requests; they couldn't be bothered to reply).

Travel Guard wants you to abandon the claim.