Boo to trip insurance

[MaryFMac]

We booked our package through CRO, then found the same package to be much cheaper through AAA. We cancelled our ressies with CRO, and were told we'd be refunded in full...

Lo and behold they kept 90 dollars of our deposit as part of non-refundable trip insurance, which they won't even let us have since our reservation is now booked through AAA....

I hate giving away money. GRRR.

 

[tone.def]

Didn't you know when you purchased trip insurance that it was non-refundable

If you purchased insurance anywhere else for this trip, it is also non-refundable.

Last year trip insurance on my Visa saved my butt when my boyfriend broke his leg and was hospitalized 3 days before our trip to Vegas. I was happy to get back 95% of our full payment. Without it, we would up have been up creek without $2,000.

 

[MaryFMac]

I hadn't realized that I had included it in the package (my fault completely, should have read the small print...live and learn) when I booked.

I'm just slighly annoyed because CRO can't apply the insurance that's already paid for to my package through AAA. (I AM certain that my actual package does not include travel insurance).

I didn't completely cancel the trip, my money is still going to WDW.

 

[VAgal76]

I found a work around last year as I found myself in almost the same situation. I started making my own reservations and finding I was making a lot of changes because I was learning the ropes. I ran out of time and felt I needed a good agent to help me out. Well, I found one I liked and she took it over by agent of record letter so when we changed dates and resorts she was able to save my travel insurance so I didn't lose it. I'm guessing since I didn't cancel and re-book there is a little loop hole that you can transfer it so you don't lose out on your travel insurance. Wouldn't you have to buy another policy to cover the same trip now since they didn't assign it over to your new reservation? I really think they should transfer to your new reservation if at all possible.

 

[tone.def]

Yes, but you're not booking through Disney anymore... The Walt Disney Travel Company is a wholesaler just like AAA.

In other words, their employees lost commission and you gave it to someone else (but I'm sure they get lots anyway).

Would it not have been possible to transfer the reservation to the AAA agency and have them adjust the price?

 

[MaryFMac]

No, both sides insisted that I must cancel the first reservation in order to rebook at the lower rate.

I wonder if I could contact the travel insurance group directly? Does anyone know who handles WDW insurance?

Again, I don't expect to reimbursed. The policy is clearly stated, and I wasn't well enough informed. That's completely my fault.

I just wish the insurance policy wasn't going to waste.

 

[Anewman]

We booked our package through CRO, then found the same package to be much cheaper through AAA. We cancelled our ressies with CRO, and were told we'd be refunded in full...

Lo and behold they kept 90 dollars of our deposit as part of non-refundable trip insurance, which they won't even let us have since our reservation is now booked through AAA....

I hate giving away money. GRRR.

How close to your trip are you rebooking?

Last time I read through the policy it states you can get a refund up until a specific number of days prior to trip.

 

[MaryFMac]

It was more than 90 days out. I just didn't know, at the time of booking, that the insurance was nonrefundable regardless.

 

[Poohgirl]

There is some fine print on the back of the ressie paper that Disney would have sent you regarding a time frame where the insurance IS refundable. I did the same as you on my last trip (switching to AAA) and at first they did NOT return my ins. $. I had to call them and state that it was within the terms that the ressie states they would refund and finally (after several CM's) they did. Sorry I can't remember what the terms were, I don't have the papers anymore...

 

[MaryFMac]

My fine print (from the invoice we recieved after having already cancelled) says that travel insurance is nonrefundable once a deposit is recieved. It was completely nonrefundable once I paid my 200 dollars to lock in the reservation.

I guess they expect you to have checked the internet for their terms of booking before you book.

 

[Poohgirl]

Thinking on it, maybe they changed it, (this would have been Jan this year for an April trip) I believe it may have been within 14 days of reservation. I made the ressie on 1/7 and called for the refund on 1/20 barely making it. (found some calender notes!) I paid in full on a CC upon making the ressie. So they already had all my $$. The notes about the cancellation was on the back of my initial ressie confirmation I believe. Sorry I can't help more.

 

[StrwLady]

Don't they have to get your OK to add trip insurance? I'm almost positive it's an additional feature. So if they added it without your permission then I'd say you have some grounds to dispute it.

Take Care
Jamie

 

[grimley1968]

One thing I liked about Magical Journeys, when I booked through them, is that they had me not pay for trip insurance at first, even though I told them I wanted it. I guess our agent knew from experience what can happen if you pay insurance early, then make a payment and decide to go elsewhere for a reservation. They had me pay our trip insurance with my last payment I made. That allowed me plenty of time to back out of the plans if I'd wanted to, without losing money on the insurance.

 

[DebbieB]

Don't they have to get your OK to add trip insurance? I'm almost positive it's an additional feature. So if they added it without your permission then I'd say you have some grounds to dispute it.

Take Care
Jamie

There was recently a class action lawsuit settlement regarding non-disclosure of the insurance on the website system. Did your confirmation show insurance included?

I think $90 is pretty steep for this insurance. They must be making a ton on it.

 

[mlwear]

No, both sides insisted that I must cancel the first reservation in order to rebook at the lower rate.

I wonder if I could contact the travel insurance group directly? Does anyone know who handles WDW insurance?

Again, I don't expect to reimbursed. The policy is clearly stated, and I wasn't well enough informed. That's completely my fault.

I just wish the insurance policy wasn't going to waste.

I booked through AAA and my insurance is Travel Guard Assist. I was told by AAA TA that it was insurance issued by Disney.
She did tell me that it was nonrefundable, but I didn't get a lot of details. Later I realized that I should have asked for something in writing before agreeing. Called TA and she sent me a photocopy of a brochure.

Maybe this will help...for coverage questions, a copy of the policy, or to request a claim form, call toll free 1.800.826.3899. Again, this is my AAA insurance but I am very sure on several occassions the AAA TA said that it was insurance through Disney.

Good luck. It seems that they should be able to transfer the insurance. IMO