Travel Insurance Question - Flights Cancelled

[Napoleon Dynamite]

Yes, I know weather changes, but after dealing with a snowstorm 2 days ago, my SO's flight to Portugal being screwed up, this is on my mind. Looking ahead to next week, there is some talk of a snowstorm on Thursday, when we are scheduled to fly out. Our cruise is next Sunday. I left us a big cushion in case of scenario of snow. So I just checked Southwest's website to see my options for other flights IF there is a snow issue. Pretty much nothing, everything is sold out leading up to the cruise (keep in minds our kids are off for President's week here, so people get an early start).

With that said, I purchased travel insurance through a third party (Travelguard/AIG). I did not include our flights in the total price, as Southwest has a pretty lenient cancellation policy, and will give credit if they cancel OR if *I* cancel up to 15 minutes before the flight. We travel a lot, so I would definitely use up the credit. So IF Southwest were to cancel my flight, and I couldn't get on any others leading up to the cruise, my insurance would kick in right..even though that flight isn't insured? And cover the cost of my cruise? This might sound like a stupid question to some, but clueless how it all works!

 

[allears]

I would contact the insurance company to verify. But I think it may kick in.

 

[KristiMc]

Did you start your insurance the day you fly out or the day your cruise starts. If your trip includes the day you fly out I think you would be covered.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

Did you start your insurance the day you fly out or the day your cruise starts. If your trip includes the day you fly out I think you would be covered.

The date I fly out

 

[Shanti]

Agree that verifying with the insurance company is the only way to be sure.

 

[kiford]

When my father was going on a cruise starting from Santiago a few years ago, his flight was cancelled due to snow. He was flying out of Buffalo and went down the night before to stay there. Once the flight was cancelled, he had to stay an additional night and had to drive back to Toronto to get another flight late that night. He might have had travel insurance cover his flights - I don't remember - but he ended up missing two nights in a hotel in Santiago that he'd paid for. I do remember him telling me that his insurance did reimburse him for the nights he missed in Santiago. So, definitely check with your insurance company but it's quite possible that the non-flight portion could be compensated due to inability to get there regardless of whether the flights themselves are covered.

 

[MunFam]

I'm wondering if they will only compensate you for a portion...as in...you could get to XYZ port by day 3, so we are only covering the 3 lost days? I would call to confirm. I hope it all works out for you!

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

I'm wondering if they will only compensate you for a portion...as in...you could get to XYZ port by day 3, so we are only covering the 3 lost days? I would call to confirm. I hope it all works out for you!

Our cruise is only 4 days to begin with

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

When my father was going on a cruise starting from Santiago a few years ago, his flight was cancelled due to snow. He was flying out of Buffalo and went down the night before to stay there. Once the flight was cancelled, he had to stay an additional night and had to drive back to Toronto to get another flight late that night. He might have had travel insurance cover his flights - I don't remember - but he ended up missing two nights in a hotel in Santiago that he'd paid for. I do remember him telling me that his insurance did reimburse him for the nights he missed in Santiago. So, definitely check with your insurance company but it's quite possible that the non-flight portion could be compensated due to inability to get there regardless of whether the flights themselves are covered.

I will call them at some point, thanks. Was just looking to see if anyone had to utilize their insurance for a reason like their flight being cancelled, but it doesn't look to be as common as I thought!

 

[JW9DVC]

Keep in mind. It's the whole cruise. Not just the days you can't get there. What insurance did you use?

 

[MunFam]

I will call them at some point, thanks. Was just looking to see if anyone had to utilize their insurance for a reason like their flight being cancelled, but it doesn't look to be as common as I thought!

We always use insurance, but we insure our trip door to door, so I don't know how it works when something effects the trip (that was not insured). I am a former travel agent and I have never run in to a situation where someone only partially insured a trip and the uninsured portion caused a problem for the insured portion.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

We always use insurance, but we insure our trip door to door, so I don't know how it works when something effects the trip (that was not insured). I am a former travel agent and I have never run in to a situation where someone only partially insured a trip and the uninsured portion caused a problem for the insured portion.

Well we often travel on miles...our flight coming back is free on Delta with miles...so I can't be the first person to have no impact cost wise from the flights being cancelled, thus requiring that part to not be included in our total insured value. But..from reading our policy...since our trip begins on xx date and ends on xx date and those are the dates listed on the policy, I should be fine.

I used AIG for the person who asked

 

[MunFam]

Well we often travel on miles...our flight coming back is free on Delta with miles...so I can't be the first person to have no impact cost wise from the flights being cancelled, thus requiring that part to not be included in our total insured value. But..from reading our policy...since our trip begins on xx date and ends on xx date and those are the dates listed on the policy, I should be fine.

I used AIG for the person who asked

Well, I did have a client fly on miles and since the cost was zero (points) Travel Guard/AIG insured the flights because we set the insurance to begin on the departure date, even though they flew in 3 days in advance (we did cover the pre-cruise hotel and rental car part) and the entire trip was covered. They had to cancel and got a full refund (platinum level coverage) on their missed cruise. The points were "lost" with the particular airline.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

Well, I did have a client fly on miles and since the cost was zero (points) Travel Guard/AIG insured the flights because we set the insurance to begin on the departure date, even though they flew in 3 days in advance (we did cover the pre-cruise hotel and rental car part) and the entire trip was covered. They had to cancel and got a full refund (platinum level coverage) on their missed cruise. The points were "lost" with the particular airline.

Yes I did read that you lose the miles, but we are platinum medallion members so if our flights had been booked in reverse (delta first) and there was an issue, they would just redeposit. Actually if I had booked in reverse I think we would be in a better situation as far as snow and delays go. Because Delta obviously has many more flights, but we would have to fly out of NYC instead of our local Airport. Our hotel leading up to the cruise is on Marriott points, so we have no charge for that either. Cancellation up to a day before and they are pretty accommodating since we are Platinum Premier with them. Just crossing my fingers no snow!! Especially since I now have a suitcase full of fish extender gifts!!

 

[MunFam]

Yes I did read that you lose the miles, but we are platinum medallion members so if our flights had been booked in reverse (delta first) and there was an issue, they would just redeposit. Actually if I had booked in reverse I think we would be in a better situation as far as snow and delays go. Because Delta obviously has many more flights, but we would have to fly out of NYC instead of our local Airport. Our hotel leading up to the cruise is on Marriott points, so we have no charge for that either. Cancellation up to a day before and they are pretty accommodating since we are Platinum Premier with them. Just crossing my fingers no snow!! Especially since I now have a suitcase full of fish extender gifts!!

My fingers are crossed for you!!!

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

My fingers are crossed for you!!!

Thanks