This is somewhat relevant to me, because last weekend, I was in Barcelona
with my visiting friend from Denmark; we used his rental car. During the
day on Sunday, someone broke into the car and stole my backpack containing
my laptop and iPad. My homeowners insurance only covers such losses up to
200 Euro, so that’s what I got. This made me look at other potential
coverages I might have, e.g. through American Express, but that only kicks
in if you are travelling by air or other public transport for which you
paid with the card; and theft is anyway only covered if you have a Gold or
Platinum card, and I have just the working-class Green one.
I think if you travel by car, whether rented or your own, you are out of
luck most of the time. However, the company that over the years has given
me the best service in general is indeed Amex. So you may want to look at
their insurance options and upgrade to one of the fancier cards—the
increased membership fee may well be cheaper than special insurance,
especially if you travel a lot.
Cheers,
Nathan
Nathan Wajsman
Alicante, Spain
http://www.frozenlight.eu
http://www.greatpix.eu
PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws
Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/
Cycling: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator
YNWA
On 24 Jan 2015, at 18:50, Bob Whitmire <bwhitmire@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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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