iamtrustworthy

Hi GC, This "non-refundable trip cost" requirement is another of the many complicated parts of a Trip Cancellation plan whether or not someone wants pre-existing conditions coverage. First, most Trip Cancellation plans only let you require you to insure your non-refundable trip costs that are prepaid to have the pre-existing medical conditions and Cancel For Any Reason coverages. Though there are a few plans that don't require the full trip costs to be insured. Next, most Trip Cancellation plans require your non-refundable trip costs be Prepaid prior to leaving home. See these Blog posts: https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/do-prepaid-trip-costs-have-to-be-paid-before-you-leave-on-your-trip/ https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/what-does-prepaid-mean/ > My understanding, and this could obviously vary with specific insurer and policy, is that if the reservation is "guaranteed and NON-refundable", that even though the traveler will forfeit the money, that because it wasn't actually "paid" (even if the charge card had a "hold" that would end up charged on arrival or failure to arrive), then that loss would not be covered. The potential ability to insure "Guaranteed and also non-refundable" expenses is a conundrum because prepaid means, well, "prepaid". Yet, just a very few companies tell they don't require the trip costs to be prepaid prior to a covered event occuring as long as the trip costs are subject to penalties that are charged to you if you don't arrive. But I don't see that their policy wording supports that advice. That's why I don't advise people to insure their non-prepaid expenses. I'd make a lot more money if I did. I hope this makes sense. Steve Dasseos

Hi Jersey42, The Annual Trip Cancellation plans are what they say: "Trip Cancellation plans" and the trip cancellation, trip interruption benefits are their main focus and not the other coverages. The pandemic, and its after-effects, changed the travel experience. The biggest change I've seen is the number of Trip Delay and Baggage Delay claims. Some delays are related to the flight crew and air traffic controller staffing problems. Others are directly from (or domino effects) of strikes, bad weather and natural disasters. In addition, doctor-ordered Covid quarantines are covered under the Trip Delay benefit. Prior to the pandemic, there weren't that many Trip Delay and Baggage Delay claims. When we'd ask people who wanted an Annual Trip Cancellation plan if they were concerned about delay, medical, baggage or missed connection coverages, hardly anyone wanted those. Now, when we ask about those other benefits, nearly everyone wants good delay coverage plus some of the others. So that's why I say "I haven't found an Annual Trip Cancellation plan that is good enough for me to sell due to their plan limitations with what's needed to cover the changes in travel since Covid started." Steve Dasseos

HI redwave, You'd get a policy for each family group. Technically, there's no "linking" of policies because you are all Travel Companions (Here more info about this: https://tripinsurancestore.com/your-family-member-or-traveling-companion/). We note people traveling together, but it's not required. Steve Dasseos

Hi caligirl49, Neither Cruise Critic nor myself want you to put private information on a public forum, so if you don't mind, would you either email me your trip details ato steve@tripinsurancestore.com or fill out this form at https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-email-contact-form/ ? Steve Dasseos

Hi caligirl49, I haven't found an Annual Trip Cancellation plan that is good enough for me to sell due to their plan limitations with what's needed to cover the changes in travel since Covid started. Steve Dasseos

Which Travel Guard plan do you have?

Hi Chfenton, > Do all policies reimburse me for the cruise fare in case there is an airline/airport/FAA melt down and we end up stranded and don't get to MCO in time to get over to the cruise? No. Many policies don't cover governmental actions, so be sure to check for this in the Exclusions. Steve Dasseos

Hi ontheweb, You need to call Travel Guard's 24 hour assistance department at (715) 345-0505 (Call collect outside the USA). Steve Dasseos

Hi lubedobedo, Until Thursday August 24, 2023, IMG would let you buy a policy for a trip departing more than 2 years from the purchase date, but they wouldn't move it to a departure date more than 2 years from purchase date. Now someone can't buy an IMG policy for a trip departing more than 2 years from the purchase date. I don't know who you are, but if you bought your IMG policy from us, will you email me at steve@tripinsurancestore.com with the change you need. I'll take it to IMG. If you bought it from someone else, contact them for their help. Steve Dasseos

WIll your hotels be prepaid prior to leaving and non-refundable on your departure date from home?

Hi Indiansbaseball, I forgot to ask you if your trip is paid in full. Do you have any payments to make for prepaid non-refundable trip costs? Steve Dasseos

Hi Indiansbaseball, I don't know any plans that will cover you. Steve Dasseos

Hi Daniel A, No, CFAR as a standalone isn't available because it's part of the Trip Cancellation coverage. Steve Dasseos

Hi toolworker, CFAR requires you to cancel all your travel arrangents which means you aren't taking any part of your trip. Steve Dasseos

Hi Drazil65, You're welcome. > many people we know (and relatives) do not have medical coverage outside the country Unless they have Medicaid, some Medicare Advantage plans or a non ACA-compliant plan, they should at least have some limited medical coverage outside the USA. They probably won't have any Medical Transportation coverage. I agree that it's good to have at least some travel medical insurance when traveling out of the plan's network area. Or, when someone has a high-deductible health plan. I wrote this a few days ago on my Blog that you might find helpful: https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/is-it-worth-paying-more-to-have-500000-medical-coverage/ Steve Dasseos

Hi Indiansbaseball, When did / will you pay the first payment toward any travel arrangements on your trip? Steve Dasseos

Hi Drazil65, Primary (First Payer) isn’t better than Secondary (Excess). The only difference is the order in which the medical claims are paid. If you aren't old enough to be on Medicare, in most cases you are better off getting a plan with Secondary medical because of how group or individual health plans account for deductibles and co-pays. You can also process a claim on a plan that has Primary medical as Secondary. Your broker can advise you how to do this when they help you with your claim. And, whether or not a plan has Primary or Secondary medical, all the plans I know will advance payment to a medical facility if needed. Steve Dasseos

Hi New Jersey Pat, I wrote this earlier today on my blog. I hope you find it helpful. Is it Worth Paying More to Have $500,000 Medical Coverage? https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/is-it-worth-paying-more-to-have-500000-medical-coverage/ Steve Dasseos

Hi Gary, > Would a standalone CFAR policy cover reimbursement rather than losing all of paid funds? No, the most you'll be paid is 75% of the money you lost, in cash, if you have a real CFAR plan. > Would not receiving the passport in time for cruise departure be an acceptable reason to invoke the CFAR clause? All reasons are acceptable if the policy is a real CFAR plan. That's because “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) means you cancel your entire trip for a reason that is normally not covered (i.e. – you change your mind). It’s not “Delay For Any Reason”, nor is it “Change Your Travel Arrangements For Any Reason”. “Interrupt For Any Reason” (IFAR) means you return home early for a reason that is normally not covered (i.e. – you change your mind). However, I've seen CFAR claims from companies I don't offer that are denied because the company states the the reason wasn't covered. Upon closer examination, the person didn't have a real CFAR plan. The reason I've seen these claims is because I'll offer help someone who hasn't bought a policy from me with their claim if they aren't getting taken care of by whoever sold them their policy. Steve Dasseos

Hi Abra, I'll ask my companies these exact questions and answer here. Steve Dasseos

Hi KyleClark, Points and miles have a $0 insurable trip cost. Here's more information: https://tripinsurancestore.com/frequent-flyer-and-free-travel-award-coverage/ Steve Dasseos

Hi tzbeach, I wrote about this on my Blog a year ago. How to Insure a Future Cruise or Travel Credit: https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/how-to-insure-a-future-cruise-or-travel-credit/ Steve Dasseos

Hi jclinard, > I know of some people who have both urged people to get insurance and then urged people not to file legitimate claims. That is completely unethical and against the law. Here's what we tell our customers: "As a policyholder you have every right to file a claim. When you ask us if your claim will be covered, we tell you to the best of our knowledge. We cannot predetermine claims. However, the only way you can be sure if your claim will be paid or not is after you file your claim. The insurance company has the final say." Steve Dasseos

Hi itd1sah, > must be considered 'cruise insurance' There's no such plan that is 'cruise insurance'. All Trip Cancellation plans cover all kinds of trips. Steve Dasseos

Hi all, I need to clarify this because I see there's another way to interpret my answer that I didn't intend to convey. If someone has gift cards and they are using them to prepay a trip cost that is 100% non-refundable should the trip be cancelled on the departure day, then the value of the cash paid for the gift card needs to be insured in most cases when someone wants the Cancel For Any Reason coverage and / or the Pre-existing Medical Condition coverage. The reason I said "in most cases" is because there are a few companies that don't require the full non-refundable trip costs be insured to qualify for the Cancel For Any Reason coverage and / or the Pre-existing Medical Condition coverage. I hope this makes better sense. Steve Dasseos