Winter Storm Jonas Prompted 600 Assistance Calls to Allianz

by Brian Major
Last updated: 4:48 PM ET, Fri January 29, 2016

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance reports the company fielded more than 600 calls from customers seeking to file claims, access travel assistance and ask questions about their policies during and after last weekend's major winter blizzard.

Allianz' travel assistance department provided services to 30 policyholders as Jonas commenced, pounding East Coast cities with record snowfalls. Most requested assistance booking new airline tickets and making hotel reservations.

Perhaps not surprisingly, most policyholders filed Jonas-related claims in one of three areas, said Dan Durazo, an Allianz spokesman: trip cancellation resulting from airlines canceling flights and ceasing operations for 24 hours or more at the traveler's point of departure; and "significant" travel delays and missed connections experienced by airlines and other common carriers due to the storm.

Allianz' coverages include trip cancellation, under which coverage consumers may cancel their trip and receive reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses including airline tickets, cruises, tours, hotel rooms and rental cars.

Travel delay coverage provides refunds for the unused part of travelers' pre-paid, non-refundable expenses including meals, accommodations and transportation up to the policy's limit. Missed connection coverage reimburses travelers for the unused part of pre-paid expenses if travelers miss 24 hours or more of a trip and covers costs including meals, accommodations and transportation.

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