Families say travel insurance didn’t cover them as flight delays forced them to miss cruises – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA – Many travelers think that purchasing travel insurance policies is a safe and smart choice in case something goes wrong.

Channel 2 Consumer Investigative Reporter Justin Gray It’s learning that even having a policy won’t protect your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Most cruise lines can add travel insurance as part of the package, but it will typically set you back hundreds of dollars and still not pay as much as travelers expect.

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Wayleta Mitchell thinks a $400 travel insurance policy she bought from Aon Insurance will save her $9,300 for her 20th birthday Alaska cruise.

“We were told our trip would be 100% covered,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell and her family missed their flight connection, which meant they missed their boat.

After about a year, she received only $322 from the insurance policy, which is less than what she originally paid for the policy.

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Channel 2 Consumer Advisor Clark HowardA former travel agent himself said that you should always purchase separate third-party travel insurance.

“My ironclad rule: Never, never, never buy travel coverage from a cruise line. You pay too much and it’s always rubbish,” explained Howard. “The brochure tells you all the wonderful things, but it’s the contract… with the bad stuff.”

Another traveler, Larry Asher, told Gray that even though Norwegian Cruise Line was able to get his trip delayed after the flight delay, he thought the policy would cover all additional travel and hotel expenses.

“We were expecting to be compensated because we bought everything with the cruise line,” Asher said.

Instead, Asher’s $700 Aon policy cost him $1,000, which after insurance costs, netted him more than $200 in compensation.

Aon released a statement in part to Channel 2 Action News

“Every travel protection plan is different, so we encourage consumers to review their policy’s terms and conditions…Most policies offer a free look period – typically 10 to 15 days – during which the consumer can cancel the plan and receive a refund without penalty. “

Instead of a travel insurance policy, consider arriving in port a day or two earlier and consider hotel expenses as part of your insurance policy, Howard said.

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