Beware of Travel Insured International

[Shanachie]

Just a friendly warning for others who charter sailboats:

We had a charter scheduled for July in Grenada with Dream Yacht Charter and of course couldn't go due to covid, the island closing its borders and our general health in our 60s.

Due to the big lag time between paying and going, we bought trip insurance from Travel Insured International in Connecticut, which apparently is a well-known company. A travel agent had recommended TII to us.

Well, it turns out TII is refusing to pay claims related to covid. Complaints are piling up with the Better Business Bureau, online consumer forums and government agencies such as the Florida Division of Financial Services.

We only lost about $940 -- $1,300 if you count the premiums we paid -- but others reportedly have lost many thousands on cancelled trips.

It is unclear at this point whether a government agency will man up and go after the company. Maybe a good law firm will put together a class-action lawsuit.

In the meantime, look elsewhere if you want travel insurance in these risky times. You're throwing your money away with Travel Insured International.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Just a friendly warning for others who charter sailboats:

We had a charter scheduled for July in Grenada with Dream Yacht Charter and of course couldn't go due to covid, the island closing its borders and our general health in our 60s.

Due to the big lag time between paying and going, we bought trip insurance from Travel Insured International in Connecticut, which apparently is a well-known company. A travel agent had recommended TII to us.

Well, it turns out TII is refusing to pay claims related to covid. Complaints are piling up with the Better Business Bureau, online consumer forums and government agencies such as the Florida Division of Financial Services.

We only lost about $940 -- $1,300 if you count the premiums we paid -- but others reportedly have lost many thousands on cancelled trips.

It is unclear at this point whether a government agency will man up and go after the company. Maybe a good law firm will put together a class-action lawsuit.

In the meantime, look elsewhere if you want travel insurance in these risky times. You're throwing your money away with Travel Insured International.

File a complaint with the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner here;
https://portal.ct.gov/CID/Consumer-A...Ask-a-Question
They are very helpful and really do follow up on all complaints.

[Shanachie]

They referred my complaint to Florida, which is a cesspool of unresolved complaints. Gov. DeSantis' administration is unwilling to confront crooked companies. In the old days, Florida used to sue firms that racked up a lot of consumer complaints.

[Arthur Garfield]

Count yourself fortunate

They'll, in all likelihood, declare force majeure & file for bankruptcy &
then emerge debt free.

Look at your contract for a force majeure clause they can hang their hat on.

if there's a class action you may recover $0.20 on the dollar from their re-insurer

Yeah,sucks man.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

They referred my complaint to Florida, which is a cesspool of unresolved complaints. Gov. DeSantis' administration is unwilling to confront crooked companies. In the old days, Florida used to sue firms that racked up a lot of consumer complaints.

If what you say is accurate then it would appear that Gov. Lamont’s administration in Connecticut is also unwilling to confront crooked companies.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Just a friendly warning for others who charter sailboats:

We had a charter scheduled for July in Grenada with Dream Yacht Charter and of course couldn't go due to covid, the island closing its borders and our general health in our 60s.

Due to the big lag time between paying and going, we bought trip insurance from Travel Insured International in Connecticut, which apparently is a well-known company. A travel agent had recommended TII to us.

Well, it turns out TII is refusing to pay claims related to covid. Complaints are piling up with the Better Business Bureau, online consumer forums and government agencies such as the Florida Division of Financial Services.

We only lost about $940 -- $1,300 if you count the premiums we paid -- but others reportedly have lost many thousands on cancelled trips.

It is unclear at this point whether a government agency will man up and go after the company. Maybe a good law firm will put together a class-action lawsuit.

In the meantime, look elsewhere if you want travel insurance in these risky times. You're throwing your money away with Travel Insured International.

There are some stories out lately about court cases where people have defaulted on contracts and claimed it because of "Covid'. The courts have not often allowed such defaults excuse the parties from their obligations.

Unfortunately you will have to read carefully your charter contract and traveler's insurance.

Most likely, closing a border due to a pandemic is not included as a covered risk. As to your charter fee, you bought a charter. If you don't show up, it's your problem.

Life is not always fair.

[lvictorlucas]

If any governor actually went after the companies that would be the end of a lot of campaign contributions.

[ArmyDaveNY]

First, I wish you the best with your claim, and I certainly understand the frustration. Having said that, there is much you did not include in your original post. Exactly what type of policy did you purchase? According to the company's website, there are different types of policies, including one called Cancel of Any Reason Coverage. What are the limitations for the policy you purchased?

You mentioned that the island shut down and you were concerned for your health. Who actually cancelled the trip? Was it you, was it the charter company, was it the airline, was it someone else? The website also notes that if the airline cancelled the trip, you must have included the air travel portion in the policy.

They note that there are different methods of paying a benefit is you are indeed covered. They may pay for the cost or reissuing tickets, they may pay for the entire loss, or somewhere in between.

As someone else said, it really depends upon what the policy limitations are. Do you happen to have a link to the actual policy, or is it practical to post the entire policy on this thread? Most likely you will need to contact an attorney to see if you are actually covered and if so, what you are legally entitled to.

I wish you the best of luck.

[donahue62]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Just a friendly warning for others who charter sailboats:

We had a charter scheduled for July in Grenada with Dream Yacht Charter and of course couldn't go due to covid, the island closing its borders and our general health in our 60s.

Due to the big lag time between paying and going, we bought trip insurance from Travel Insured International in Connecticut, which apparently is a well-known company. A travel agent had recommended TII to us.

Well, it turns out TII is refusing to pay claims related to covid. Complaints are piling up with the Better Business Bureau, online consumer forums and government agencies such as the Florida Division of Financial Services.

We only lost about $940 -- $1,300 if you count the premiums we paid -- but others reportedly have lost many thousands on cancelled trips.

It is unclear at this point whether a government agency will man up and go after the company. Maybe a good law firm will put together a class-action lawsuit.

In the meantime, look elsewhere if you want travel insurance in these risky times. You're throwing your money away with Travel Insured International.

Don’t have any charter experience but it seems they’re the ones with the money, did they return you’re money for the charter and. You’re out the ins portion only. That would be ironic.

[ocean.jedi]

most insurance companies are really just brokers for others. they re-insure their products, and are required to belong to one or more state insurance groups to cover them if they go bankrupt. If the policy was sold in connecticut, find a consumer protection class action law firm to sue there. Frankly, force majure is hard for an all risk insurance company to argue, since you buy insurance for all risks, except those excluded specifically. Also, if they say covid 19 is an excluded risk, then perhaps civil governmental embargo isn't. there are many ways to skin a cat. good luck.

[Discovercruises]

Sorry for your troubles. You mentioned it was recommended by a travel agent. Did you purchase it through that agent? They are a great resource for many of your questions or issues. They should have provided you with your options Did you check the coverages? Most just go with the lowest price and not consider coverages. Yes unfortunately a pandemic is not covered under most plans. Seeing this crisis is unprecedented , don’t be surprised to have not considered this when buying your plan. Just saying TI is a horrible company is just an emotional response and does not go to the heart of the matter. If a pandemic is excluded from your coverage then they have every right to deny your claim. Moving forward some travel insurers such as Allianz are now including Covid coverage on new policy. Once again use a knowledgeable travel agent.