Skiing is an incredibly popular activity for travelers who want to hit the slopes in the spring or winter seasons. Whether in Colorado, New Mexico, or even in northern California, it’s estimated that roughly 14 million people in the United States ski annually.
Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for skiers to ski during this year’s spring season.
Now, many who purchased travel insurance for cancelled ski trips are finding they are unable to recoup the costs of their trips – including ski passes – due to travel insurance claim denials.
Ski Pass Cancellations and Travel Insurance
Before March of this year, booking vacation plans for 2020 was a routine activity. But as the pandemic spread and government mandated stay-at-home orders, quarantine measures, and travel bans were put into place, many had no choice but to cancel or postpone their trips entirely.
While one might expect a fairly easy process to get a refund for travel expenses, many carriers have actually denied travel insurance claims related to COVID-19 entirely.
For those who booked ski trips – including expensive ski passes – with a corresponding travel insurance plan, refunds have been scarce to nonexistent.
Ikon Ski Pass
According to a recently filed lawsuit, Earl Parker of Park City Utah purchased travel insurance with his Ikon Ski Pass, which allows skiing at up to 43 different resorts, including several within the Utah area.
According to Parker’s policy, in the event skiers aren’t able to use a pass due to any of the covered perils – such as death, sickness, or even quarantine – the insurer will repay the insured the cost of the pass minus the daily rate for every day the pass was unable to be used.
While Parker applied for a refund following announced pandemic closures, he received a denial from his travel insurers – Red Sky Travel and Arch Insurance – stating the trip cancellation benefit requires that a policyholder already have an illness that requires medical treatment certified by a physician at the time of cancellation, terms that were not detailed when Parker purchased the policy.
Because of this, according to the lawsuit, payment should have been made.
Lawsuits like Parker’s are not uncommon, as Parker is now pursuing class action litigation in order to force payment for all holders of Ikon pass-related travel insurance.
Vail Resorts
Prior to Parker’s lawsuit, a similar class action lawsuit was filed several days prior against Vail Resorts.
That lawsuit alleges false advertising, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation caused lost mountain resort access without pass refunds.
This class action filed by California resident Brian Hunt is filed on behalf of all Epic Ski Pass holders for the 2019 – 2020 ski season, as well as for those with unused days on an Epic Day Pass.
Travel Insurance Claim Denials
Unfortunately, due to the influx of the pandemic, travel insurance claim denials have become more prevalent than ever for those who made travel plans prior to state-mandated stay at home orders being enacted in March.
This ultimately leaves would-be travelers incredibly frustrated over denied claims for up to thousands of dollars in some instances.
Many who purchased plans assumed virus-related cancellations would be covered.
Because most insurance plans have a very specific list of covered cancellation reasons, such as losing a job, physical damage to property, or even a terrorist attack, it can be difficult for the average person to understand what technically is and isn’t covered in the fine print.
Due to the complexities surrounding travel insurance claim delays, underpayments, and denials, it’s incredibly important to consult an experienced travel insurance claim denial attorney.
Houston Travel Insurance Claim Denial Attorneys
The need to cancel or postpone travel plans can be incredibly stressful on its own. When combined with a global pandemic, this impact is only heightened.
Because travelers have had to cancel vacation plans due to state-mandated stay-at-home orders, quarantine measures, and travel restrictions, many have found themselves embroiled in disputes with their insurers over countless cancellations of flights, hotel reservations, bookings through Airbnb, Vrbo, and countless others.
At Raizner Law, we understand these frustrations and are working to hold travel insurers accountable for wrongfully denied or delayed claims payments.
If you or someone you know has had a travel insurance claim disputed, underpaid, or even denied, you could still be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact the attorneys at Raizner Law today to learn more.
