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Marriott Crystal Shores cancellation

sayellin

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I had exchanged into Crystal Shores for Dec 1-8, 2017 through II using a Marriott week deposit (3BR Grand Chateau). I made the exchange in Dec 2016 and purchased the trip insurance offered by II when I made the exchange.

In late Oct I was notified by II that Marriott had cancelled the week because the Irma repairs to the resort would not be completed in time for me to occupy the week reserved. I was told by the II rep who called that I should submit a claim to Allianz since I had purchased the trip insurance.

I submitted the claim requesting payment of the maintenance fee for the deposited week that was used for the exchange. I had no other expenses for the trip that I couldn't cancel and no exchange fee because of the DC status.

I got a letter from Allianz rejecting my claim with the following response:
"Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. It's designed to protect you when there's a sudden, unexpected problem or event. Specifically excluded is any problem or event that could have reasonably been foreseen or expected when you purchased your plan."

The phone number for questions in the Allianz letter only seems to allow me to hear an automated response that they have denied the claim, and not to talk to anyone.

I contacted II and their only response was to offer a flexchange week good for one year. Not a very even value for the week I deposited, but the response of the II rep was that I should be pleased to get something since they were not obligated to provide anything. Any issues with the insurance were between me and Allianz, II was not involved.

Has anyone else had any better experience with the II/Allianz insurance for something like this? It doesn't seem that a closed resort due to hurricane damage would count as a problem or event that could have reasonably been foreseen. I guess I am wondering what circumstances would allow a recovery on this insurance.
 

rsackett

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Marriott’s Harbour Point
Very unfair! How does a closure from a hurricane qualify as a foreseeable event?

Ray
 

davidvel

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Marriott Shadow Ridge (Villages)
Carlsbad Inn
If hurricanes are a covered peril, it seems it should be covered. But, I haven't read the policy terms. In any event, you should appeal in writing.
 

Pamplemousse

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Write tomthe insurance company.
Putting it in writing is better than talking anyway.
Good luck.
 

Panina

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Many insurances do not cover natural disasters, maybe that is the reason.
 

SkyBlueWaters

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I had exchanged into Crystal Shores for Dec 1-8, 2017 through II using a Marriott week deposit (3BR Grand Chateau). I made the exchange in Dec 2016 and purchased the trip insurance offered by II when I made the exchange.

In late Oct I was notified by II that Marriott had cancelled the week because the Irma repairs to the resort would not be completed in time for me to occupy the week reserved. I was told by the II rep who called that I should submit a claim to Allianz since I had purchased the trip insurance.

I submitted the claim requesting payment of the maintenance fee for the deposited week that was used for the exchange. I had no other expenses for the trip that I couldn't cancel and no exchange fee because of the DC status.

I got a letter from Allianz rejecting my claim with the following response:
"Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. It's designed to protect you when there's a sudden, unexpected problem or event. Specifically excluded is any problem or event that could have reasonably been foreseen or expected when you purchased your plan."

The phone number for questions in the Allianz letter only seems to allow me to hear an automated response that they have denied the claim, and not to talk to anyone.

I contacted II and their only response was to offer a flexchange week good for one year. Not a very even value for the week I deposited, but the response of the II rep was that I should be pleased to get something since they were not obligated to provide anything. Any issues with the insurance were between me and Allianz, II was not involved.

Has anyone else had any better experience with the II/Allianz insurance for something like this? It doesn't seem that a closed resort due to hurricane damage would count as a problem or event that could have reasonably been foreseen. I guess I am wondering what circumstances would allow a recovery on this insurance.

While I haven’t read the policy, I believe weather-related trip cancellations are covered. I would step this up, talk to the supervisor and file an appeal, the process for which should be stated in your policy.
 

Dean

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I think most alliance plans exclude natural disasters and even when they are covered, it's usually around the time of the disaster itself so the timing may be the issue even if it could have been covered.. Technically this likely isn't a covered even but the actual determining factor will be the info in your covered email. I'd appear but suspect it won't be successful. This is one of the reasons I don't normally buy specialty insurance (of any kind). Occasionally there's a specific situation where the cost is low enough for the risk but rarely. So no extended warranties, no specialty medical such as cancer and usually no rental car add on insurance. The cost risk reduction simply isn't reasonable.

I'd go back to II and ask for a full function deposit good for a year rather than a flexchange week.
 

Beverley

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In looking at the link that was mentioned it appears you may have something to appeal if you were confirmed and bought travel insurance before the hurricane that caused the damage and ultimately the cancellation was "named". However, they may also have another out as in exclusions they mention natural disasters. Not sure if hurricanes fall into that or if that is meant for earthquakes and the like. Good luck in your quest.
 

Kfp13

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Marriott Maui Ocean Club
MVC Destinations Points
has anyone had a problem with gulf front room reservation being cancelled? we are booked for a week in late march 2018 using points and have seen the posting about being emails indicating property were cancelling your reservation due to rooms damage.
My understanding was the gulf front rooms in the original tower were not damaged.
Any insight or update from anyone who has stayed recently at Crystal shores would be most appreciated.
 

dioxide45

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Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
has anyone had a problem with gulf front room reservation being cancelled? we are booked for a week in late march 2018 using points and have seen the posting about being emails indicating property were cancelling your reservation due to rooms damage.
My understanding was the gulf front rooms in the original tower were not damaged.
Any insight or update from anyone who has stayed recently at Crystal shores would be most appreciated.
I don't think reservations in to views in the original tower were impacted. It wasn't damage so much that caused the cancellations as it was delays in construction of the new tower. Delays of course caused by the hurricanes and perhaps also damage to the new tower by the storm that pushed back its opening
 

jhac007

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Ko Olina BC, Waioha BC, Crystal Shores (2 Gold), Kierland (Gold Plus), Ocean Pointe, Eagle's Nest, Vistana BC, Villas at Doral, Mizner Place, Windward Pointe, Star Island
has anyone had a problem with gulf front room reservation being cancelled? we are booked for a week in late march 2018 using points and have seen the posting about being emails indicating property were cancelling your reservation due to rooms damage.
My understanding was the gulf front rooms in the original tower were not damaged.
Any insight or update from anyone who has stayed recently at Crystal shores would be most appreciated.

I am on Marco Island presently (at Eagles Nest not Crystal Shores) and stopped in at the check in desk to ask the question you posed. Dioxide45 is correct, the original towers are open for business presently. The new section has been delayed by the hurricane and I was told the target opening was late spring! I am an owner there and my Memorial Day reservation (2 weeks) in the original tower is intact. Tomorrow I will stop in again and see if I can get a better target date for the new section. A lot of the internal grounds are blocked off but one can see what is taking shape and in my opinion this is going to be a Marco Island "gem".
 

youppi

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My II exchange was TBOF week 50 and it has been canceled but may be not because it was damage but may be to give it to a DC member or renter that has booked a damaged unit (II exchanger are the lowest priority).
TBOF....Crystal Shores.............Gulf Front.......2BR unit.
 

Suzy

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I also lost two exchanges due to natural disaster. The II insurance won’t cover those. That’s been a couple years ago.

I don’t buy the insurance anymore either. When II reps try to upsell me on insurance, I tell them the two times I needed it, the claims were denied. That ends the conversation.
 

Dean

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I also lost two exchanges due to natural disaster. The II insurance won’t cover those. That’s been a couple years ago.

I don’t buy the insurance anymore either. When II reps try to upsell me on insurance, I tell them the two times I needed it, the claims were denied. That ends the conversation.
Specialty insurance is rarely a reasonable option. On average they payout well less than 20% in claims, the rest is overhead, profit and commissions. Best Buy is likely still in business because of financing and extended warranty's, they make a lot more in those areas than on sales of their products. With timeshares, even when they cover, they rarely cover based on reality or replacement. Put another way, they generally cover based on real costs paid, not value or replacement.
 
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