Marriott's Travelex Insurance Warning!

[PaulaC]

We have purchased the Travelex policies for our timeshare ownership for years without ever needing to use it. This past September on our return from Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, Hurricane Helene hit Florida and our flight home through Miami was delayed. When we filed a claim for travel delay, we were notified that our claim was denied - the reason, the last 5 days of our stay was a Marriott encore purchase. I was previously told that even an Interval exchange was covered, but again that is not true. The policy only includes your week or point usage and no other stays, even if they were in conjunction with the covered travel. So, the upshot is that you need additional insurance, if you are adding other stays to your timeshare reservations.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The wording on that insurance is vague. I have considered it but not enough information on what it covers. Being insurance, no surprise they would try to deny any claim. Marriott tries to sell that insurance every time I call. The answer is always no. An annual insurance policy is probably better.

 

[cubigbird]

The wording on that insurance is vague. I have considered it but not enough information on what it covers. Being insurance, no surprise they would try to deny any claim. Marriott tries to sell that insurance every time I call. The answer is always no. An annual insurance policy is probably better.

We travel internationally pretty extensively to include MVC timeshare stays. Do you have any recommendations on good annual travel insurance that covers all trips? I've read Allianz has an option but wondering if there any others?

 

[davidvel]

We have purchased the Travelex policies for our timeshare ownership for years without ever needing to use it. This past September on our return from Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, Hurricane Helene hit Florida and our flight home through Miami was delayed. When we filed a claim for travel delay, we were notified that our claim was denied - the reason, the last 5 days of our stay was a Marriott encore purchase. I was previously told that even an Interval exchange was covered, but again that is not true. The policy only includes your week or point usage and no other stays, even if they were in conjunction with the covered travel. So, the upshot is that you need additional insurance, if you are adding other stays to your timeshare reservations.

What is the language that they say excludes the claim?

 

[rickandcindy23]

We travel internationally pretty extensively to include MVC timeshare stays. Do you have any recommendations on good annual travel insurance that covers all trips? I've read Allianz has an option but wondering if there any others?

We looked into it a while back but decided not to worry about it for now. We have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which is supposed to cover some expenses already, and that is what I use to book airfare. The few dollars per night for a hotel stay (Marriott) is something I generally pay, if I have to rely on a flight to get us to our destination. For example, we are staying at a Marriott near SFO and paid the insurance, just in case Alaska doesn't get us there that night. Too many hotel points wasted over the years, so insurance is always a good idea per night for $7 or whatever the cost.

 

[dioxide45]

The wording on that insurance is vague. I have considered it but not enough information on what it covers. Being insurance, no surprise they would try to deny any claim. Marriott tries to sell that insurance every time I call. The answer is always no. An annual insurance policy is probably better.

You can always pay for the policy to be able to then use the "free look" period to read the full policy. The insurance policy should have some period of time where you can cancel. Sometimes up to 21 days.

 

[dioxide45]

We have purchased the Travelex policies for our timeshare ownership for years without ever needing to use it. This past September on our return from Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, Hurricane Helene hit Florida and our flight home through Miami was delayed. When we filed a claim for travel delay, we were notified that our claim was denied - the reason, the last 5 days of our stay was a Marriott encore purchase. I was previously told that even an Interval exchange was covered, but again that is not true. The policy only includes your week or point usage and no other stays, even if they were in conjunction with the covered travel. So, the upshot is that you need additional insurance, if you are adding other stays to your timeshare reservations.

Do you have a copy of the policy? I suspect it doesn't cover Encore Package stays and also doesn't cover II getaways. But I was always under the impression that exchanges using your Marriott weeks were covered. We've never purchased the insurance and just 'self insure' for trip cancellation/delay. We have a separate annual policy for medical.

 

[echino]

Let me understand that: your flight back home was delayed, and you filed a claim for travel delay, which expenses did you ask the insurance to reimburse? Extra hotel stay caused by the flight delay, or something else?

 

[WBP]

You have every right to feel duped. We’ve been told the same thing as you, by MVC, e.g. "Travelex will cover II exchanges using our Marriott weeks."

I would avoid Allianz Travel at all expense. We have been raked over the coals by Allianz Travel. I do not understand how respectable companies like Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Marriott International, affiliate with Allianz Travel. These companies (Delta, American, and Marriott) sell a lot of Allianz travel policies. I can only imagine that the companies that sell Allianz Travel insurance, are rewarded handsomely for selling Allianz Travel insurance, by Allianz Travel. I would not have expected the Delta’s, American’s, and Marriott’s of the world to so sell their soul. Read this:

Allianz Travel Insurance - Richmond, VA

ALLIANZ TRAVEL INSURANCE, 9950 Mayland Dr, Richmond, VA 23233, 35 Photos, Mon - Open 24 hours, Tue - Open 24 hours, Wed - Open 24 hours, Thu - Open 24 hours, Fri - Open 24 hours, Sat - Open 24 hours, Sun - Open 24 hours

www.yelp.com

Conversely, we have had a very favorable experience with “Insure My Trip," who offers insurance for timeshare vacations:

Homepage

Compare travel insurance quotes to find the right coverage for your trip. Read 1000s of trip insurance reviews by travelers like you & buy from InsureMyTrip!

www.insuremytrip.com

 

[dioxide45]

You have every right to feel duped. We’ve been told the same thing as you, by MVC, e.g. "Travelex will cover II exchanges using our Marriott weeks."

I would avoid Allianz Travel at all expense. We have been raked over the coals by Allianz Travel. I do not understand how respectable companies like Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Marriott International, affiliate with Allianz Travel. These companies (Delta, American, and Marriott) sell a lot of Allianz travel policies. I can only imagine that the companies that sell Allianz Travel insurance, are rewarded handsomely for selling Allianz Travel insurance, by Allianz Travel. I would not have expected the Delta’s, American’s, and Marriott’s of the world to so sell their soul. Read this:

Allianz Travel Insurance - Richmond, VA

ALLIANZ TRAVEL INSURANCE, 9950 Mayland Dr, Richmond, VA 23233, 35 Photos, Mon - Open 24 hours, Tue - Open 24 hours, Wed - Open 24 hours, Thu - Open 24 hours, Fri - Open 24 hours, Sat - Open 24 hours, Sun - Open 24 hours

www.yelp.com

Conversely, we have had a very favorable experience with “Insure My Trip," who offers insurance for timeshare vacations:

Homepage

Compare travel insurance quotes to find the right coverage for your trip. Read 1000s of trip insurance reviews by travelers like you & buy from InsureMyTrip!

www.insuremytrip.com

These companies probably get commissions close to 30-35% of the policy cost.

 

[tamu_bu]

We travel internationally pretty extensively to include MVC timeshare stays. Do you have any recommendations on good annual travel insurance that covers all trips?

I would be curious as well. When I've quoted directly with other travel insurance companies the ones I've spoken with don't cover timeshare usage as party if their lodging coverage.

 

[dioxide45]

There was a company out there that had annual timeshare policies that covered home resort and exchange usage. I understand they may have stopped issuing new policies but still offer renewals. I can't remember the name, but if I find the thread discussing it, I will post it here.

 

[rickandcindy23]

There was a company out there that had annual timeshare policies that covered home resort and exchange usage. I understand they may have stopped issuing new policies but still offer renewals. I can't remember the name, but if I find the thread discussing it, I will post it here.

AIG, if I remember correctly, and I think they still provide annual policies, per person, and it's probably going to be in the $1,000 range per couple.

 

[dioxide45]

AIG, if I remember correctly, and I think they still provide annual policies, per person, and it's probably going to be in the $1,000 range per couple.

I found the one I remembered. It was actually TravelGuard by Berkshire Hathaway. They offered a pretty cheap annual plan for timeshares and they actually knew what timeshares were and the nuance of exchange. They no longer offer the plan through retail channels and I think it may only be offered through HOAs and companies reselling the plan. Here is a thread where a Tugger had their claim denied but the National Director stepped in to help resolve the issue.

 

[gln60]

I had a conversation last week with a MVC Advisor who assured me that all II exchanges using my weeks to exchange as well as Abound Points reservations are covered by Travelex…i made a II reservation for my daughter…husband and toddler...purchased a guest certificate and also made a reservation using Abound Points for Crystal Shores in my daughters name as well as a Points reservation in my name and was assured those reservations would be covered…the cost of the Abound Points would be refunded.

 

[PaulaC]

Let me understand that: your flight back home was delayed, and you filed a claim for travel delay, which expenses did you ask the insurance to reimburse? Extra hotel stay caused by the flight delay, or something else?

We were booked on an American airlines flight that had a stop in Miami on the afternoon that Hurricane Helene hit Miami and American sent us a text asking us to change our flight. We were not able to get a flight for 4 days, so we submitted a claim for the additional Vacation Club stay and meals. The trip delay is capped at $1000 and our expenses exceeded that, so we knew we would incur a loss, but we were surprised to learn we would get nothing.

 

[PaulaC]

I had a conversation last week with a MVC Advisor who assured me that all II exchanges using my weeks to exchange as well as Abound Points reservations are covered by Travelex…i made a II reservation for my daughter…husband and toddler...purchased a guest certificate and also made a reservation using Abound Points for Crystal Shores in my daughters name as well as a Points reservation in my name and was assured those reservations would be covered…the cost of the Abound Points would be refunded.

The MVC Advisor does not represent the Travelex Insurance Company, they just offer the policies. That is where the problem lies since the advisor is employed by Marriott, not Travelex. When I spoke with Berkshire Hathaway, who offers the Travelex policy, I was told that anytime you exchanged your timeshare or purchased an encore, etc., your insurance will not cover you.

 

[davidvel]

You can see the full policy (varies by state of residence) here.

On first glance I see nothing in the policy that would exclude coverage for your trip merely because you added additional lodging days to your owner week. What provision did they cite in their denial letter (you are entitled to a written explanation of denial of claim)?

 

[gln60]

The MVC Advisor does not represent the Travelex Insurance Company, they just offer the policies. That is where the problem lies since the advisor is employed by Marriott, not Travelex. When I spoke with Berkshire Hathaway, who offers the Travelex policy, I was told that anytime you exchanged your timeshare or purchased an encore, etc., your insurance will not cover you.

And what about an Abound Points Ressie??…

 

[dioxide45]

You can see the full policy (varies by state of residence) here.

On first glance I see nothing in the policy that would exclude coverage for your trip merely because you added additional lodging days to your owner week. What provision did they cite in their denial letter (you are entitled to a written explanation of denial of claim)?

I can't seem to get the dropdown to work.

Edit - Working now, updated link in quotes.

 

[davidvel]

I can't seem to get the dropdown to work.

Oops, that was the post search link. I updated it in my post. Can you also edit the post you quoted?

https://partner.travelexinsurance.com/policy/?plannumber=MVWCZ-0724

 

[dioxide45]

Oops, that was the post search link. I updated it in my post. Can you also edit th epost you quoted?

https://partner.travelexinsurance.com/policy/?plannumber=MVWCZ-0724

It works!

 

[Fasttr]

I had a conversation last week with a MVC Advisor who assured me that all II exchanges using my weeks to exchange as well as Abound Points reservations are covered by Travelex…i made a II reservation for my daughter…husband and toddler...purchased a guest certificate and also made a reservation using Abound Points for Crystal Shores in my daughters name as well as a Points reservation in my name and was assured those reservations would be covered…the cost of the Abound Points would be refunded.

Agree. I’m very confident II exchanges are covered (but not getaways). The tricky part is that the coverage has to be in effect for the year the exchanged week is from. Example… I use my 2025 week to exchange for a 2026 week via II. If I only purchase coverage for 2026, my MF’s associated with the 2025 week which was exchanged would not be covered. I would need to have had 2025 coverage to get my MF’s reimbursed If my 2026 trip goes bad.

 

[Fasttr]

Re the OP's issue...under Coverage Termination Date on my policy, I see the 2 snipits below. My understanding is that the OP's Encore package likely lasted longer than 2 days after the covered portion of their trip, so that is likely why there was no coverage for the delay. Note the second snipit says for an extension to take place, the entire Trip needed to be covered, and the Encore was not a covered portion.

All other benefits end on the earlier/est of:
(a) the date the last benefit is exhausted;
(b) 2 days following the scheduled Return Date as specified on the
Confirmation, even if this extends beyond the Annual Plan Termination
Date.

Extension of Coverage:
All coverage (except Trip Cancellation, Frequent Traveler Benefit) will be
extended for a Trip covered by this plan, if:
(a) the Insured's entire Trip is covered by the plan; and
(b) the Insured's return is delayed by unavoidable circumstances beyond
his/her control.

 

[gln60]

We also have an Encore Package for The Custom house in May and we added 3 additional nights using Abound Points…the MVC advisor stated the Encore Package would not be covered but the 3 nights using Abound Points cost would be covered.