I believe they call this crowd sourcing. But, because this is a knowledgeable
and well-traveled crowd, it seems appropriate.
We are in the market for some travel insurance for an upcoming trip to the UK.
The last time we went, I bought Allianz, because that’s what was offered as I
purchased tickets. It has come to my attention that Allianz seems to have
contracts with all major carriers to provide travel insurance. We have not yet
needed it, so I have no way of assessing the efficacy of the company or its
products.
A bump in the road. Tonight, we have tickets for a concert at the civic center
in Portland, Maine. It’s a 65 mile journey, some very rural roads, some larger
two-lane roads, including US 1, and some four-lane roads, including US 1 and
Interstate 295. Currently, we are in the early hours of an official Maine
winter Northeaster. It’s passing offshore far enough that the bulk of the snow
is supposed to fall along the coast. The forecast is for 6-10 inches. It’s a
fast-moving storm, so if it doesn’t stall we’ll be spared the worst of it.
(They have been known to stall in the past and dump two feet instead of two
inches.
So, Joan and I have decided not to go to the concert. It’s not that we
_couldn’t_ make it; we’ve traveled through worse. It’s that all things
considered, it’s better not to try to make it through sloppy, wet snow. The
roads get positively bitchy in this stuff. Really dry stuff, no problem. Mix in
the sleet and the freezing rain and blah!
I bought “event” insurance specifically for this reason. The company? Yep.
Allianz. My bad for not reading the fine print during the couple of days during
which I could have canceled. Called them yesterday to inquire whether inclement
weather, that is, a northeaster blowing up the coast, was sufficient grounds
for invoking the insurance. I was informed that were we flying to the concert
and our flight was cancelled, we would be covered. If we were traveling by bus
or train and service was interrupted, we would be covered. If our car broke
downand we could show a towing or repair ticket, we would be covered. We are
not covered, however, for simply deciding to be sensible.
Because I am petty and spiteful, I shall not buy from Allianz again. At least
not if I can help it. I’m also unlikely to buy concert tickets in the winter,
at least until there’s regular air service between Round Pond and Portland.
Surely there are reputable companies (is that an oxymoron?) out there with whom
it is possible to strike a fair deal. We’ll want cancellation, interruption,
baggage, and some level of medical insurance. The usual stuff. On previous
trips, we haven’t needed the medical because our private insurance covered us.
This time we have no such coverage. If I get sick from a service-related and
documented affliction, VA will pay, but it will not pay just because I am rated
for full medical coverage. I know NHS will take care of us in an emergency, but
as soon as the emergency dials back to regular care, they stop picking up the
tab. It’s not that I think something is going—or even likely—to happen, but, in
fact, stuff happens. Planes don’t fly. Connections are missed. Baggage is lost.
Idiots behind wheels are not strictly a New England phenomenon.
Advice based on experience would be greatly appreciated. Yes, this time I will
carefully read the fine print with my lawyer eyes. (I am not a lawyer, but the
branches of my family tree hang heavy with the weight of lawyers, so I know a
little about how they think. <g>)
--Bob Whitmire
Certified Neanderthal
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