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I took a trip to the Caribbean (Beaches Resort) this summer and I knew that it was a risky proposition because it was hurricane season. The bought insurance through TripMate since the policy stated that there was coverage for trip interruption. Hurricane Irene struck the island of Turks and Caicos and our resort was flooded. Our room was flooded. The entire place was shut down. The airport was closed for days. Naturally we were trapped until our departure. There was was running water and some food but we were stranded for days until our departure. Tripmate refused to pay us any benefit since they claim that we were unsatisfied with the amenities we received and stayed for the duration of our trip. What exactly was I supposed to do? Swim back to Florida? They claim that I did no incur any additional expenses to leave. How was I supposed to leave when the airport was closed? They claim that there is no benefit for amenities that were unavailable. I think that a hurricane ravaged island flooded by waters and airport closure qualifies as "trip interruption." I filed a complaint with the BBB and all they did was forward my emails to TripMate. I got nowhere. Even when the policy states that there is coverage for "trip interruption" because of "flood" or "inclement weather," they will not pay unless you find a way to incur additional expenses to escape your demise and then have to file a claim after the fact for the unsused portion of your trip. Good luck trying to file any claim with them. They will find any excuse to misrepresent the facts and twist the language of the policy to deny the claim. I have yet to read any online posts praising them for paying a claim.
Travel Insurance is designed and sold to cover you in the event that you suffer a financial loss because of an unknown risk at the time you buy the insurance. No travel insurance will cover you for suffering because your vacation sucks because of a disaster. If you had to, or were able to leave the island before the end of your vacation, and it cost you money (extra cost for evacuation, or lost money on non-refundable hotel or tours) then a claim would probably have been paid. But if you stay for the duration of your vacation, you are not covered just because your hotel is a mess and you can't get a decent meal. It is a shame that the airports were closed until you were scheduled to depart. If the airports were closed beyond your original departure date, you may have been covered for extra hotel costs while you were stranded. I have heard of rain insurance that will pay out if it rains for a certain percentage of your vacation dates. I think you will find that a rather expensive option or hard to find during hurricane season in the Caribbean.
his firm did everything possible to deny, delay, and frustrate the execution of their contractual financial duties. Tripmate failed to provide an air ambulance even though it was medically essential and they so admitted. Tripmate would authorize but not send the air evacuation service Tripmate promotes, but could not provide when it was needed. Tripmate provided, instead, only obstacles. Tripmate was no help. I was on my own. I had to secure my own land ambulance to a clinic. Then, I had to secure my own flight home. I had to find my own air ambulance company. When Tripmate failed to locate an air ambulance "because of the weather, " I found an Air Ambulance service in minutes via American Express. Tripmate then took nine months considering my claims. Finally, they paid. In fact, I was preparing a suit when, at long last, the check arrived. Tripmate "service" - in my experience - is a scandal and those who consider Tripmate would be well advised to check the web for the experience of others, including the legal costs of legitimate recovery.
This firm did everything possible to deny, delay, and frustrate the execution of their contractual financial duties. Tripmate failed to provide an air ambulance even though it was medically essential and they so admitted. Tripmate would authorize but not send the air evacuation service Tripmate promotes, but could not provide when it was needed. Tripmate provided, instead, only obstacles. Tripmate was no help. I was on my own. I had to secure my own land ambulance to a clinic. Then, I had to secure my own flight home. I had to find my own air ambulance company. When Tripmate failed to locate an air ambulance "because of the weather, " I found an Air Ambulance service in minutes via American Express. Tripmate then took nine months considering my claims. Finally, they paid. In fact, I was preparing a suit when, at long last, the check arrived. Tripmate "service" - in my experience - is a scandal and those who consider Tripmate would be well advised to check the web for the experience of others, including the legal costs of legitimate recovery.
I too am involved with a bad claim experience with tripmate. I have already caught them in two lies, but they still claim that my claim is not valid. Avoid this company
I have submitted with medical receipts for prescriptions and visits to the Dr. on board a Viking cruise ship. Their applications for a claim want everything except a blood sample. I was very carefull (because it was so extensive) that I completed and attached everything they asked for, even copies of the pages in my passport to prove I was where I said I was. I have called and talked to them once. Their "Goal Date" is tomorrow, Apr 15th, I was told. So far I haven't received anything from them, not even an acknowledgment.
They sure wanted their premium the minute I booked my cruise, but I'm not very hopeful that I will get reimbursed for medical expenses.
My Wife and I had to cancel a rail trip to the Canadian Rockies due to my heart problems and her dimentia as documented and verified by letters from our doctors.
TripMate will only 10% of our travel costs for the cancelled trip. TripMate has made a "Sweet Heart" deal with Vantage Travel to provide us with travel vouchers we cannot use in order to limit TripMates Liability and increase Vantage Travels revenue.
TripMate says we must accept this phony deal that we have refused.