Just recently had a client who booked a very expensive trip
which involved a luxurious train journey. As it is required by the Ontario
Travel Industry Act I offered him insurance and he declined, saying the money
was better in his pocket and not theirs.
Well it turned out the train journey he booked was cancelled
due to some flooding while he was at destination making it impossible for the
train to operate. The train company did offer a full refund but he was stuck
with the transfers to and from the train station that were pre-paid and non
refundable. But that was not the worst of it, now he had to
get from point A to point B, this resulted in booking a flight to the final
destination and paying out of pocket for the flight for him and his companion. Another unexpected expense was 2 extra nights in
a hotel at the final destination as originally he would have been spending those
2 nights on the train. With it being during the Christmas season flight and
hotel availability was very limited and it made it a challenge to find room at
the inn, so to say. This could have been an easier process if he had
insurance because most insurance companies offer a 24/7 assistance program
which is there for such situations and really comes in handy if you are unable
to reach your travel agent right away.
If he had decided to take the cancellation/interruption
insurance, yes the train would have still been refunded because they were not
able to operate but his flights, hotel and transfers would have been covered by
the insurance because it would have been considered an interruption.
Sometimes putting money into the insurance company’s pocket
gives you the peace of mind that you will be keeping the rest of your money in
your pocket during your trip especially when things don’t go as planned.
Travel insurance, don’t leave home without it!
Denise Gushue - CTC
