Purchasing Separate Cancel-for-any-reason Coverage?

[Magnum_PI]

Editing with an update posted below so that it's at the top! :
UPDATE: So, thankfully, this was something we were able to work out with ABD as it turns out it was a system error on their end making it appear as if the "cancel for ever reason" wasn't paid for when we originally purchased the protection plan when we placed the deposit (although it definitely was!). Thanks to ABD guest services for sorting that out for us and averting a very large headache...!

That said, I'm still curious - where might you purchase a 'cancel for any reason' policy independently if you decided to go that route?

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Original post:
Unfortunately, writing in with another ABD headache. I called to PIF today (it's due 12/13, so this coming Monday), and just before handing over my card number, asked the vacationista to re-confirm that our vacation protection plan purchased through ABD includes the "cancel for any reason" bit.

We requested this explicitly when making the booking. We were assured that yes, it's included. We called several times last year to confirm this to be certain.

Then today I am told no, the standard coverage is there but not cancel for any reason. It cannot be added and no one can do anything. Sorry!

Does anyone have any concept of where we'd be able to buy this kind of coverage at this late hour? I'm not convinced I'm comfortable going without having that as a fallback. VERY frustrated after multiple confirmations that this isn't on our reservation - it was the ONLY reason we bought coverage via ABD...

 

[Quicklabs]

Unfortunately, writing in with another ABD headache. I called to PIF today (it's due 12/13, so this coming Monday), and just before handing over my card number, asked the vacationista to re-confirm that our vacation protection plan purchased through ABD includes the "cancel for any reason" bit.

We requested this explicitly when making the booking. We were assured that yes, it's included. We called several times last year to confirm this to be certain.

Then today I am told no, the standard coverage is there but not cancel for any reason. It cannot be added and no one can do anything. Sorry!

Does anyone have any concept of where we'd be able to buy this kind of coverage at this late hour? I'm not convinced I'm comfortable going without having that as a fallback. VERY frustrated after multiple confirmations that this isn't on our reservation - it was the ONLY reason we bought coverage via ABD...

I am sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, my experience has been that the cancel for any reason policies must usually be purchased within 15-30 days of booking. Outside that tight window, and especially with your PIF date in just three days, I think you may be out of luck.

 

[Magnum_PI]

UPDATE: So, thankfully, this was something we were able to work out with ABD as it turns out it was a system error on their end making it appear as if the "cancel for ever reason" wasn't paid for when we originally purchased the protection plan when we placed the deposit (although it definitely was!). Thanks to ABD guest services for sorting that out for us and averting a very large headache...!

That said, I'm still curious - where might you purchase a 'cancel for any reason' policy independently if you decided to go that route?

 

[sayhello]

UPDATE: So, thankfully, this was something we were able to work out with ABD as it turns out it was a system error on their end making it appear as if the "cancel for ever reason" wasn't paid for when we originally purchased the protection plan when we placed the deposit (although it definitely was!). Thanks to ABD guest services for sorting that out for us and averting a very large headache...!

That said, I'm still curious - where might you purchase a 'cancel for any reason' policy independently if you decided to go that route?

Glad you got it all worked out. I'd have been FURIOUS!!!

I don't think you can just purchase like a separate "Cancel for any reason" policy that *only* covers that. I've only ever seen it as an add-on to a larger comprehensive policy, not a separate thing. There are a lot of full trip insurance policies that either *include* a Cancel for any reason add-on, or allow you to add it on to a full trip insurance policy that you purchase (for an additional cost). It's usually not a cheap add-on. If you check insure my trip dot com or tripinsurancestore dot com, you can filter for policies that include that coverage or offer it as an add-on.

If you really were looking for something as an add-on to the policy you already have from ABD, as I said, I've never seen something like that, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You could call the toll-free number for either of the sites I mentioned, and ask their experts if such a thing exists. However, as @Quicklabs mentioned, you usually have to purchase that kind of coverage within 2 or 3 weeks of your first deposit on the trip. They don't offer it after that, because if they sold it any time, then someone who intends to cancel could purchase the coverage, then cancel the trip, which isn't good insurance practice.

Sayhello

 

[Magnum_PI]

Glad you got it all worked out. I'd have been FURIOUS!!!

I don't think you can just purchase like a separate "Cancel for any reason" policy that *only* covers that. I've only ever seen it as an add-on to a larger comprehensive policy, not a separate thing. There are a lot of full trip insurance policies that either *include* a Cancel for any reason add-on, or allow you to add it on to a full trip insurance policy that you purchase (for an additional cost). It's usually not a cheap add-on. If you check insure my trip dot com or tripinsurancestore dot com, you can filter for policies that include that coverage or offer it as an add-on.

If you really were looking for something as an add-on to the policy you already have from ABD, as I said, I've never seen something like that, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You could call the toll-free number for either of the sites I mentioned, and ask their experts if such a thing exists. However, as @Quicklabs mentioned, you usually have to purchase that kind of coverage within 2 or 3 weeks of your first deposit on the trip. They don't offer it after that, because if they sold it any time, then someone who intends to cancel could purchase the coverage, then cancel the trip, which isn't good insurance practice.

Sayhello

This is really helpful to know for the future, thank you for all of the great information!

And I was pretty upset when I initially heard..! I was questioning whether we’d even PIF since having that cancellation coverage was key for our comfort with the ever-evolving covid situation. VERY thankful that worked out! Pro tip: keep your own records off your phone calls when booking/paying for add ons!

 

[Grifdog22]

I recommend you read the policy as soon as you purchase it. If it does not have the terms you expected, you can cancel the policy during the loopback/review period. Don't take a salesperson's word for it. Read the policy itself. I believe we used to call that "Trust, but verify..."

 

[Magnum_PI]

I recommend you read the policy as soon as you purchase it. If it does not have the terms you expected, you can cancel the policy during the loopback/review period. Don't take a salesperson's word for it. Read the policy itself. I believe we used to call that "Trust, but verify..."

Definitely a great tip for any kind of insurance! And we definitely did do this last year. When possible, I have requested a copy prior to purchasing as well (done this with auto insurance)!

 

[CaliKris]

Definitely a great tip for any kind of insurance! And we definitely did do this last year. When possible, I have requested a copy prior to purchasing as well (done this with auto insurance)!

Glad you got your ABD Insurance issue resolved. Are you planning on adding on COVID insurance? We have not yet, but probably will. It could get very costly should we have to quarantine after a positive test result.

 

[Magnum_PI]

Glad you got your ABD Insurance issue resolved. Are you planning on adding on COVID insurance? We have not yet, but probably will. It could get very costly should we have to quarantine after a positive test result.

Thank you! I didn’t realize that was an option, actually. Any tips re: shopping for a policy? Our current coverage would cover some of that sort of thing via trip delay/interruption (based on my chat with the insurance company), but I know it won’t cover the full cost of a quarantine if needed.

 

[CaliKris]

Thank you! I didn’t realize that was an option, actually. Any tips re: shopping for a policy? Our current coverage would cover some of that sort of thing via trip delay/interruption (based on my chat with the insurance company), but I know it won’t cover the full cost of a quarantine if needed.

We have the ABD insurance policy as well.

We are going to use Insure My trip dot com. We haven't purchased it yet. Good to know that ABD insurance will cover some of it anyway. Being stuck at one of those 5-star hotels for 10-14 days could get pricey quickly!

 

[Magnum_PI]

We have the ABD insurance policy as well.

We are going to use Insure My trip dot com. We haven't purchased it yet. Good to know that ABD insurance will cover some of it anyway. Being stuck at one of those 5-star hotels for 10-14 days could get pricey quickly!

Absolutely! I think the coverage is something like a max of $2000… doubtful that would cover that much time!