Consumer Alert: Travel insurance claims are taking longer than ever

You could blame COVID, the summer air travel problems or the recent holiday meltdown — but you'd be wrong

Photo illustration by Christopher Elliott

Luan Bell tested positive for COVID-19 while she was on a Viking River Cruise last April. "They took me off the ship and transported me to a hotel to quarantine for five days," she told me.

Later that month, she submitted a claim for $6,990 to her travel insurance company. Four months later, she was still waiting for the money.

Bell's story is becoming more common. Between COVID, this summer's air travel problems and the winter meltdown, travel insurance claims are taking longer than ever.