Q – (3.3.26) – We have been planning a Viking River Cruise along the Nile along with several days of land touring for almost a year. We obviously will not be going. Our insurance is through Travelex and we are wondering if they will cover the entire cost of the trip. We are scheduled to depart in two months. How will this be handled?
I would hope that we would be granted a full refund but not sure if that will come from Viking or the insurance company. My travel agent is suggesting I make an immediate claim based on the State Department advising travelers not to travel to Egypt and the Middle East. Do you agree?
A – No. Your insurance claim will likely be denied. Below is a list of specific events not covered by typical insurance policies. Viking will, in this instance, likely offer a future credit and cancel your sailing. The War was no fault of theirs and full refunds to all guests on a major itinerary covering several months would have a severe and negative impact on the company. The credit would likely be in the full amount of what you have paid to date.
The good news is that Viking will almost certainly be advising your agent that it is canceling your cruise. The amount of the credit should be in the official cancellation notification. One question worth pursuing is whether or not you would be allowed to pass on this credit to other family members if you decide not to use it. Most policies will not permit this. Discuss with your agent whether or not you should wait until Viking cancels. If you cancel first, your options may be severely limited. Understand that travel advisers are, in the vast majority of States, prohibited from discussing insurance policy coverage as they are not licensed insurance agents. We would strongly recommend that you call the Customer Service number at Travelex directly to verify your options and to choose the best way to sustain a favorable outcome.
Here is their contact information:
Customer Service Phone: 1-800-228-9792
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday
customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com
Guests who have purchased CFAR or “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance will, on the other hand, likely receive a full cash refund as that type of policy allows for the cancellation of any journey for virtually any reason. Because insurance companies offer CFAR options, they will only offer full cash refunds to those who purchased that type of coverage. It is an extremely costly type of coverage so few travelers take it out.
As of this morning, plans are underway to remove ships from the conflict area. Escorted tour groups to Israel and throughout the Middle East are being cancelled. The vast majority of flights are being cancelled. It could be some time before travel resumes in this part of the world to anything like “normal” levels.
Here is what Travelex specifically states it will not cover: Note it does not cover “declared or undeclared war, or any act of war.”
