Ski Pass Interruption Insurance - Covid-19

[CalGalTraveler]

I just realized that we had purchased interruption travel insurance for our season ski passes. Since the resorts closed early due to Covid-19, we were unable to use the entire season because we had planned to ski over spring break. Although I don't expect a full refund, I would like a partial claim:

1) Has anyone successfully filed a claim for your ski passes? How much prorate did you recover?
2) Would we be better off getting a Covid-19 refund of our insurance premium since we weren't ill?

We have 90 days from March closure to file a claim.

Should we file and see if we get denied? If denied could we go back and ask for a refund of our insurance premium since they seem to be making an exception for Covid-19.

I am awaiting the exclusions document because they never sent it. I have a sinking feeling it will be similar to other Covid-19 travel insurance with pandemic exclusions.

 

[Talent312]

There's no harm in filing.
But I think most insurance policies include a clause which says:
Exclusions include, but limited to, any reason you may have for filing a claim.
.
.

 

[Carlsbadguy]

Also even if the insurance would cover if you used it at all they would deduct a certain amount per day so probably if you used it 8 or 10 days would get nothing back. I had an EPic pass a few years back and got into an accident early ski season and filed a claim with the insurance company. I had used it 4 or 5 days already and I think I only got back about $150.

Epic pass came out today if you used it at least 5 days you would get a 20% discount on the next seasons pass and if you used it less would get a larger discount. They are also including insurance for free in case next season is interrupted.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Epic ski pass holders will receive up to an 80% credit - Deals We Like

On March 15, Vail Resorts fully shut down their ski resorts and have been closed ever since. Ski season typically runs between Thanksgiving and Easter for most resorts, which means that even though you had a bulk of the season to ski, many families were waiting till Spring Break to get in their...

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[CalGalTraveler]

Also even if the insurance would cover if you used it at all they would deduct a certain amount per day so probably if you used it 8 or 10 days would get nothing back. I had an EPic pass a few years back and got into an accident early ski season and filed a claim with the insurance company. I had used it 4 or 5 days already and I think I only got back about $150.

Good question on how they prorate this. I wonder if it is per time used (big refund)? or based on the number of days out of the season dates (small). I only used it 2 days this year because we skied in Europe. Was planning to hit the slopes hard spring break.

Odds are it will be written in their favor.

 

[PigsDad]

Good question on how they prorate this. I wonder if it is per time used (big refund)? or based on the number of days out of the season dates (small). I only used it 2 days this year because we skied in Europe. Was planning to hit the slopes hard spring break.

No matter what I think it will be written in their favor.

From the article you posted, it looks like you will get a 56% credit for using your pass 2 days.

I was done with my planned ski trips this year by the time the resorts were forced to close down, so the 20% credit I will be receiving is an unexpected bonus for me.

Kurt

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Our pass was at an independent resort so we'll see what happens. We paid much less than an Epic pass. I want this resort to survive so don't expect much from them. However I dont mind getting value out of an insurance policy we paid for from a big company

 

[Tacoma]

The two biggest ski resorts in the Banff area, Sunshine and Lake Louise, are giving this year's season pass holders about a 25% discount on the purchase of next year's season pass. I bought a ski card which gives the first, forth and tenth day free with discounts on the other days. I only went once (which pays for it) so I assume I will just have to buy another one next year.

 

[tshd]

Our pass was at an independent resort so we'll see what happens. We paid much less than an Epic pass. I want this resort to survive so don't expect much from them. However I dont mind getting value out of an insurance policy we paid for from a big company

We are in a similar situation. How did you come upon buying insurance? Did the resort offer it or did you find it independently?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

The insurance was offered with the sale of the ski pass. I heard it is the same as sold on liftopia. After reviewing the documentation it doesn't cover pandemics or shutdowns pertaining to pandemic. Pass holders must become ill but given the exclusion I am unclear if illness from Covid is covered. As an insightful poster stated, "You don't actually know what travel insurance will cover until you make a claim."

Better to get one of the passes from a resort that will allow pushing the pass to the following year.

 

[tshd]

The insurance was offered with the sale of the ski pass. I heard it is the same as sold on liftopia. After reviewing the documentation it doesn't cover pandemics or shutdowns pertaining to pandemic. Pass holders must become ill but given the exclusion I am unclear if illness from Covid is covered. As an insightful poster stated, "You don't actually know what travel insurance will cover until you make a claim."

Better to get one of the passes from a resort that will allow pushing the pass to the following year.

Yeah I agreed with Talent312 that insurance is usually useless but was curious anyway. Thanks. I have not thought about next season yet, but are there Tahoe resorts that are currently offering an extension to the following year? I don't really care about a refund but purchased a pass for my daughter to ski in Spring and that wasn't even processed because the resorts closed and was a total loss

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@tshd Try contacting the resort. If you can prove that the pass was unused, then you might get a refund or at least push to next year. The latter option doesn't cost them anything so worth a try.

 

[Tacoma]

My experience has been if you have an unused pass and contact the resort normally will let you exchange it the next year for a fee of around $10. It never hurts to ask and they want to bring people back to the sport.

 

[davidvel]

The percentages noted above are for Vail resort passes (Heavenly, Park City, Whistler,etc.) They are based on the number of days used thus season: 0 days =80%, 5+=20%, varying in between.

BUT this is not a refund. It is a credit toward next year's pass. Also, it applies to all pass holders, not just those with insurance.

As for free insurance for next year, read the details carefully, especially if you primarily intend to ski a particular week (ie spring break). While it is a refund if covid closures occur, it is also prorated with some complicated formulas.