Last December, I shared insights on travel insurance. I'd like to recount my experiences with two recent claims: one through my credit card's cancellation benefit and the other through medical insurance. It's crucial to scrutinize the fine print of your credit card's travel insurance perks, as I found mine to be incredibly useful!


Cancellation Insurance Experience


In December, I had to cancel a planned trip to the Philippines due to an approaching typhoon. The storm hit just three days before my departure, prompting me to act swiftly after consulting my insurance provider and the airlines.

I proactively canceled my flights rather than waiting for the airlines to do so, given the media's warnings about landslides and other storm consequences. Additionally, I had a four-day sailing trip booked, which would've been unpleasant in rough seas. Snorkeling in murky waters isn't ideal!

Since I bought all my flights with my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, I filed a claim with their insurance benefits. My travel insurance wouldn't cover this situation, so I exclusively relied on Chase. The claims process was relatively straightforward; they requested proof of the natural disaster, which I provided via screenshots and news links about the typhoon—one of the strongest that year, especially late in the season for the Philippines.

They also required copies of my billing statements showing the flights and the terms for each ticket. With four flights across different airlines, gathering the necessary paperwork was a hassle. To get the claim paid, I needed to demonstrate that the airlines would not refund a portion of my fare. Two airlines offered partial refunds ($20 from one and $26.50 from the other). Because of their partial refund policies, it took 30 days for those refunds to appear on my credit card. I had to submit evidence of these refunds before my claim could be processed. This was the most frustrating part, as I had to interact with each airline to cancel flights and obtain required documents. The overall process took about 6-7 weeks from cancellation to claim payout due to waiting for those partial refunds. Once I submitted the final documents, approval took only a few days, and a short while later, the direct deposit was in my account after I provided my banking information.

In summary, while the paperwork was tedious, the claim processing was efficient once everything was submitted. They reviewed my documents within 48 hours, and I received email updates throughout. Ironically, during this time, my credit card number was compromised, leading me to clarify details with them, but overall, I highly recommend using this Chase credit card insurance in the future. Make sure to check your credit card provider for similar services and use the same card for all trip expenses to maximize benefits.

Chase also offers fantastic rental car insurance while traveling, so I always decline coverage from rental companies, saving a significant amount. (Keep in mind that U.S. insurance often doesn't cover rentals abroad except in select regions like Mexico or Canada.) You'll need to pay for the rental car fully with your card for coverage to apply.


IM Global Insurance Feedback


For years, I've chosen this company for my travel insurance due to affordability, as it was previously provided for employees at my old job. They typically processed claims within 30 days until my recent experiences. In December, I submitted two claims; it's now been almost two months since the first, and I'm still awaiting a response. Last year, a dental claim took them three months to address. Initially, I thought the delay was due to the nature of dental claims, but now it seems they struggle with timely processing across the board. Despite being the lowest-cost option with no deductible and numerous customizable features, I hesitate to recommend them. I was fortunate to cover my medical expenses upfront without financial strain; I can't imagine the frustration of incurring costs on a credit card while waiting for responses! For shorter trips, I'd suggest alternatives like World Nomads, Safety Wing, or credit card insurance instead of IM Global. For long-term coverage, consider them only if you have sufficient savings to manage a medical issue while awaiting claim processing.

UPDATE: IM Global paid my claim from 12/16/19 on 4/22/20. I still have two unresolved claims, but the first one was settled four months post-filing. This particular claim was only $45, and I'm still awaiting the larger claims. Should they deny me, I'm prepared to appeal indefinitely. ?



Coronavirus & Cancel for Any Reason Insurance


Recently, I read a great piece discussing Cancel for Any Reason Insurance. This option is available with select insurance plans and typically costs about 5-10% of your overall trip expenses. For this coverage to be effective, the policy must be purchased before a known event, such as a typhoon or winter storm.

It's essential to understand that insurance generally WILL NOT cover you if you travel to an area under a travel ban. (Travelers should check travel.state.gov for current travel advisories.) If you have concerns, reach out to your insurance provider to clarify coverage for your destination before booking your trip or purchasing a policy. In past instances, destinations with ebola outbreaks were not covered once they became known risks. Keep this in mind, especially with rising concerns around Coronavirus.

I recently traveled to Southeast Asia for work but fortunately stayed away from regions affected by the virus. As a precaution, I wore masks on planes to avoid touching my face. While many masks may not be entirely effective, it's crucial to minimize face contact. Always sanitize your seat with Clorox wipes—tray table, seat belt, and more. This is a good practice overall because, let's face it, those tray tables probably never get cleaned!

To discover more about travel insurance, check out my Travel Insurance 101 post!