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Sunwing updates its travel coverage and introduces new Worry Free Plus option, giving Canadians even more opportunities to vacation with confidence

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The tour operator is helping customers get more value for their winter getaways

Sunwing updates its travel coverage and introduces new Worry Free Plus option, giving Canadians even more opportunities to vacation with confidence Back to video

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Sunwing is helping its customers prepare for the unexpected this winter with even more options to travel with peace of mind. Effective September 19, 2022, the tour operator is updating its Worry Free insurance offerings and is introducing Worry Free Plus, a new coverage option to further meet the travel needs of customers and ensure they can vacation in paradise with confidence.  

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“Demand for winter and holiday travel is at its peak and, as Canadians gear up for their upcoming getaways, we want to meet customers where they are and provide them with more travel coverage options to suit their specific needs,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing. “We’re pleased to continue providing affordable Worry Free coverage and introduce our new Worry Free Plus plan which offers more flexibility for last-minute changes, including the option to transfer their package. Plus, customers can opt for added security by adding Manulife Global Travel Insurance’s medical and quarantine coverage to either Worry Free option for even greater peace of mind when travelling this winter.”

Customers who book their getaways from September 19, 2022 onward will continue to have the option to purchase Sunwing’s Worry Free plan for only $49, offering one change to their vacation package or cancel altogether up to three days before departure. The new Worry Free Plus plan is available for $99, an upgraded coverage option that allows customers to make one change, including the ability to transfer their package* up to seven days before departure, or cancel their vacation package up to three hours before departure.

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For added travel security, vacationers can purchase the Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free or Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free Plus plans, starting from $99 and $149 respectively. With these plans, customers will enjoy the same benefits of Sunwing’s Worry Free coverage options, plus emergency medical coverage, quarantine coverage for fully vaccinated passengers, unlimited trip interruption coverage following departure, including baggage loss, damage and delay, plus flight and travel accident insurance.

Worry Free refunds* will be paid as a Sunwing travel voucher when purchased within 48 hours of booking. Note that vacationers who purchased Worry Free prior to September 19, 2022, for travel from this date onward, can rest assured knowing their insurance coverage will not change but will be automatically upgraded to Worry Free Plus. No action is required from our customers.

Sunwing is giving all Canadians more choice this winter, including the Manulife Pandemic Travel Plan for as low as $4 per day, with emergency medical coverage and quarantine expenses for travellers and fully vaccinated cruise vacationers in the unlikely event they contract COVID-19 on their getaway.

*Terms and conditions apply.

About Sunwing

The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from airports across Canada to popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations as well as cruise packages and seasonal domestic flight service. Sunwing customers benefit from the assistance of the company’s own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. The company supports the communities where it operates through the Sunwing Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on the support and development of youth and humanitarian aid.

For more information:         

Melanie Anne Filipp Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations Sunwing Travel Group 1-800-387-5602  |  [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b533f3d4-7db6-4bb5-b0cd-b9f9fbcd8d4e

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Sunwing updates its travel coverage and introduces new worry free plus option, giving canadians even more opportunities to vacation with confidence.

Sunwing updates its travel coverage for winter

The tour operator is helping customers get more value for their winter getaways

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Sunwing is helping its customers prepare for the unexpected this winter with even more options to travel with peace of mind. Effective September 19, 2022, the tour operator is updating its Worry Free insurance offerings and is introducing Worry Free Plus, a new coverage option to further meet the travel needs of customers and ensure they can vacation in paradise with confidence.

“Demand for winter and holiday travel is at its peak and, as Canadians gear up for their upcoming getaways, we want to meet customers where they are and provide them with more travel coverage options to suit their specific needs,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing. “We’re pleased to continue providing affordable Worry Free coverage and introduce our new Worry Free Plus plan which offers more flexibility for last-minute changes, including the option to transfer their package. Plus, customers can opt for added security by adding Manulife Global Travel Insurance’s medical and quarantine coverage to either Worry Free option for even greater peace of mind when travelling this winter.”

Customers who book their getaways from September 19, 2022 onward will continue to have the option to purchase Sunwing’s Worry Free plan for only $49, offering one change to their vacation package or cancel altogether up to three days before departure. The new Worry Free Plus plan is available for $99, an upgraded coverage option that allows customers to make one change, including the ability to transfer their package* up to seven days before departure, or cancel their vacation package up to three hours before departure.

For added travel security, vacationers can purchase the Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free or Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free Plus plans, starting from $99 and $149 respectively. With these plans, customers will enjoy the same benefits of Sunwing’s Worry Free coverage options, plus emergency medical coverage, quarantine coverage for fully vaccinated passengers, unlimited trip interruption coverage following departure, including baggage loss, damage and delay, plus flight and travel accident insurance.

Worry Free refunds* will be paid as a Sunwing travel voucher when purchased within 48 hours of booking. Note that vacationers who purchased Worry Free prior to September 19, 2022, for travel from this date onward, can rest assured knowing their insurance coverage will not change but will be automatically upgraded to Worry Free Plus. No action is required from our customers.

Sunwing is giving all Canadians more choice this winter, including the Manulife Pandemic Travel Plan for as low as $4 per day, with emergency medical coverage and quarantine expenses for travellers and fully vaccinated cruise vacationers in the unlikely event they contract COVID-19 on their getaway.

*Terms and conditions apply.

About Sunwing

The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from airports across Canada to popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations as well as cruise packages and seasonal domestic flight service. Sunwing customers benefit from the assistance of the company’s own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. The company supports the communities where it operates through the Sunwing Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on the support and development of youth and humanitarian aid.

For more information:

Melanie Anne Filipp Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations Sunwing Travel Group 1-800-387-5602  |  [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b533f3d4-7db6-4bb5-b0cd-b9f9fbcd8d4e

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Sunwing Introduces Worry Free Plus Option

September 19, 2022

Sunwing is updating its Worry Free insurance offerings effective Sept. 19 and is introducing Worry Free Plus, a new coverage option to further meet the travel needs of customers and ensure they can vacation in paradise with confidence.

In making the announcement, Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing, said that: “Demand for winter and holiday travel is at its peak and, as Canadians gear up for their upcoming getaways, we want to meet customers where they are and provide them with more travel coverage options to suit their specific needs.”

Dawson continued: “We’re pleased to continue providing affordable Worry Free coverage and introduce our new Worry Free Plus plan which offers more flexibility for last-minute changes, including the option to transfer their package. Plus, customers can opt for added security by adding Manulife Global Travel Insurance’s medical and quarantine coverage to either Worry Free option for even greater peace of mind when travelling this winter.”

Customers who book their getaways from Sept. 19, 2022 onward will continue to have the option to purchase Sunwing’s Worry Free plan for only $49, offering one change to their vacation package or cancel altogether up to three days before departure.

The new Worry Free Plus plan is available for $99, an upgraded coverage option that allows customers to make one change, including the ability to transfer their package up to seven days before departure, or cancel their vacation package up to three hours before departure.

For added travel security, vacationers can purchase the Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free or Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free Plus plans, starting from $99 and $149 respectively.

With these plans, customers will enjoy the same benefits of Sunwing’s Worry Free coverage options, plus emergency medical coverage, quarantine coverage for fully vaccinated passengers, unlimited trip interruption coverage following departure, including baggage loss, damage and delay, plus flight and travel accident insurance.

Worry Free refunds* will be paid as a Sunwing travel voucher when purchased within 48 hours of booking. Note that vacationers who purchased Worry Free through their agents prior to Sept. 19, 2022, for travel from this date onward, can rest assured knowing their insurance coverage will not change but will be automatically upgraded to Worry Free Plus. No action is required from agents.

Sunwing is giving all Canadians more choice this winter, including the Manulife Pandemic Travel Plan for as low as $4 per day, with emergency medical coverage and quarantine expenses for travellers and fully vaccinated cruise vacationers in the unlikely event they contract COVID-19 on their getaway.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Go to www.sunwing.ca for more.

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Sunwing updates flexible change policy

Post date: Mar 13 2020

Date: Mar 13 2020

By: Travelweek Group

TORONTO — Sunwing is now offering an updated flexible change policy with plenty of options for clients.

Customers who booked their vacation before March 4, 2020 and did not purchase travel insurance or a Sunwing Worry Free Cancellation Waiver can make one change per booking with no fees. Group bookings do not apply.

Sunwing says customers can take advantage of this policy if they are scheduled to travel before April 30, 2020, so long as the change is requested at least five days or more before the travel date.

New departure dates must be prior to Oct. 31, 2020 for travel to the same hotel and destination (subject to availability).

If the original destination is no longer offered due to Sunwing’s seasonal schedule, credit can be applied to a package in a new destination. Any difference in fare will apply, if the new package price is lower the difference will not be refunded.

In addition, the tour operator is waiving any administration fees associated with the first change for bookings made March 4 – 19, 2020.

This applies to all new bookings with a departure date from now up to and including June 24, 2020. Sunwing says any change must be requested at least 14 days prior to travel or normal conditions will apply.

Sunwing is encouraging all Canadian travellers to register with the federal government at travel.gc.ca/register in case of an emergency abroad. Clients can also download the Travel Smart app on the App Store or Google Play for emergency contact information while away.

Clients who booked through an agent must request their trip change via their travel agent. Clients who didn’t book through a travel agent are being directed to the Sunwing website.

Anyone looking for more information about the coronavirus and to learn how Sunwing is working to keep its customers and employees safe can check out Sunwing’s FAQ page.

Tags: change policy, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Sunwing, Wired

Manulife and FNAIC travel insurance product summaries and policy samples

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Sunwing Introduces Worry Free Plus Option

Sunwing is updating its Worry Free insurance offerings effective Sept. 19 and is introducing Worry Free Plus, a new coverage option to further meet the travel needs of customers and ensure they can vacation in paradise with confidence.

In making the announcement, Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing, said that: “Demand for winter and holiday travel is at its peak and, as Canadians gear up for their upcoming getaways, we want to meet customers where they are and provide them with more travel coverage options to suit their specific needs.”

Dawson continued: “We’re pleased to continue providing affordable Worry Free coverage and introduce our new Worry Free Plus plan which offers more flexibility for last-minute changes, including the option to transfer their package. Plus, customers can opt for added security by adding Manulife Global Travel Insurance’s medical and quarantine coverage to either Worry Free option for even greater peace of mind when travelling this winter.”

Customers who book their getaways from Sept. 19, 2022 onward will continue to have the option to purchase Sunwing’s Worry Free plan for only $49, offering one change to their vacation package or cancel altogether up to three days before departure.

The new Worry Free Plus plan is available for $99, an upgraded coverage option that allows customers to make one change, including the ability to transfer their package up to seven days before departure, or cancel their vacation package up to three hours before departure.

For added travel security, vacationers can purchase the Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free or Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free Plus plans, starting from $99 and $149 respectively.

With these plans, customers will enjoy the same benefits of Sunwing’s Worry Free coverage options, plus emergency medical coverage, quarantine coverage for fully vaccinated passengers, unlimited trip interruption coverage following departure, including baggage loss, damage and delay, plus flight and travel accident insurance.

Worry Free refunds* will be paid as a Sunwing travel voucher when purchased within 48 hours of booking. Note that vacationers who purchased Worry Free through their agents prior to Sept. 19, 2022, for travel from this date onward, can rest assured knowing their insurance coverage will not change but will be automatically upgraded to Worry Free Plus. No action is required from agents.

Sunwing is giving all Canadians more choice this winter, including the Manulife Pandemic Travel Plan for as low as $4 per day, with emergency medical coverage and quarantine expenses for travellers and fully vaccinated cruise vacationers in the unlikely event they contract COVID-19 on their getaway.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Go to www.sunwing.ca for more.

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Where do I find my Sunwing Policy Number??? - Varadero Forum

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Where do I find my Sunwing Policy Number???

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http://www.signaturevacations.com/pdf/31109MF_Global_SignatureVacations_EN_R1_Final.pdf

I buy RBC insurance for my travelling before and they email me the certificate with the policy number written on it already ready to print. Sunwing is very unclear!!! Help if anyone knows how to get a printed insurance certificate from sunwing with policy number on it already.

Can't help you with the policy number .

29 times to cuba and have never been asked once . Never .

So I wouldn't sweat it to much ..

I'd call and ask for documentation as to what this insurance covers. Show that to the customs if asked.

It isn’t a matter of showing it to Immigration; it is a matter of having a hard copy of what your coverage is in case you need it to cover medical expenses.

It is always a good idea to print off a copy of your insurance WHEN YOU PURCHASE IT just in case anything changes between then and when/if you ever need it. It isn’t unheard of for insurance policies to change coverage.

^^What Madrugada said. Print it, read it, be familiar with it.

Your policy number is your Booking Number that is shown on both your Sunwing Invoice and Travel Itinerary docs.

I agree with posts 3&4 -- definitely know what you have paid for and how to make a claim if you need too. Some make you call first, some don't ... some make you pay up front, some don't ...

Yep. My mother got sick in Mexico, so we had to deploy her insurance. We couldn't find her card ANYWHERE, but found her Blue Cross drug card. We called that number and they managed to figure things out and get us to the insurance people. I always used to leave my little card locked in the room safe, but now we carry at least one with us when we're out and about.

When you are able to access your insurance online (via Sunwing) there is a page that you can print out to give your policy number and name. Just take the document with you on your carryon. It's quite a few pages, but in case of an emergency, it's worthwhile to have with you.

You'll have access to it with your booking number.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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More From Forbes

Is travel insurance refundable here’s everything you need to know.

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Sometimes, travel insurance is refundable. Here's when you can get your money back.

Peter Hoagland always checks to see if his travel insurance is refundable. That's because anything can happen between the time you book your vacation and when you leave — and because travel insurance isn't always refundable.

During the pandemic, he discovered that the hard way. He had to cancel a trip and asked for his money back from the insurance company. It refused.

"Since then, I always read the fine print on the policy," he says.

The refundability of travel insurance has always been an open question. Some countries and U.S. states regulate refundability. Travel insurance companies put refundability details in the fine print of the policy. And, as Hoagland found out, there are always exceptions.

Like the pandemic, when refund policies were all over the map. Some insurance companies adhered to their published policies. Others offered a credit that could be reused within a year, which was minimally useful because the pandemic was still happening a year later. Others quietly gave their customers a refund.

Hoagland says he fought for his money. Eventually, he contacted a manager at his travel insurance company.

"That produced a quick result," he says. "I got my money back."

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But let's face it: Getting a refund for travel insurance can be difficult. There are times when insurance is always refundable because it's required by law. There are times when it's sometimes refundable. And there are times when it's almost never refundable. But even then, there may be a way to recover some — or all — of the value of your policy.

Getting a refund for travel insurance can be a challenge

If you have a travel insurance policy and would like to get a refund, it might be easier said than done, say experts.

"While travel insurance is regulated like auto and home insurance, it’s often less standardized," says Stuart Winchester, CEO of Marble, a digital wallet for your insurance. "So first off, it’s important to check the fine print of your specific policy. Don’t assume it’s like the last one you got."

Even when you have something in writing, a refund can require some serious negotiating skills.

"Getting a refund for travel insurance can be complicated and frustrating," says Peter Hamdy, the managing director of a tour operator in Auckland, New Zealand. He's asked for a refund on policies numerous times and says that despite what travel insurance companies may tell you, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to getting a refund on your policy.

"Some situations can warrant a refund," he says. "It depends on your policy."

What does a typical refundability clause look like? For example, the World Explorer Guardian from Insured Nomads notes that it's refundable only during the 10-day review period from the date of delivery or 15 days from the date of delivery if mailed, provided you have not already departed on your trip and you have not incurred any claimable losses during that time. If you depart on your trip before the expiration of the review period, the review period ends and the policy can't be refunded.

"We go a bit further with our World Explorer Travel Medical plans," notes Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads. "If no claims have been filed then we can refund the unused portion of the policy if you cut your trip short.”

When can you get a refund for travel insurance?

Here are the most common cases where travel insurance can be refunded:

• If you cancel during the "free look" period required by the government. Most states require what's called a "free look" period of anywhere from 10 to 14 days. "During this period, travelers can review the purchase and make sure it fits their needs," explains James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy . "If it does not, they can cancel it for any reason and get a full refund, no questions asked, so long as you haven’t departed yet.
• If you cancel during the travel insurance company grace period. Many insurance companies also have a grace period for refunds (usually, they are the same as the "free look" although some grace periods can be longer). "If you’re outside your grace period, which typically lasts one to two weeks after signing, you’re contractually obliged to pay your premiums," says David Ciccarelli, CEO of the vacation rental site Lake . "Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask your company for a refund or alternative options if you’re outside your grace window. You might not get a yes, but it could lead to some cost savings or better solutions."
• When someone else cancels your trip. "For instance, if your cruise is canceled due to low river tide, you are not at fault and would typically receive a full refund or credit for a future sailing, thus eliminating the need for the travel insurance policy," explains Rhonda Abedsalam vice president of travel insurance for AXA Assistance US.
• If you die. Typically, the policy would be refunded to your next of kin. Generally, you can also ask for a refund if your travel companion dies before your trip.

Remember, it depends on where you buy your insurance

The refundability of your insurance can depend on where you purchased it. Commercial policies bought from a cruise or tour company are generally canceled and refunded if you cancel the trip far enough in advance of your departure date.

"The travel insurance cancellation provisions are generally tied to the cancellation provisions for the cruise or tour," explains Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com . "After you have paid the last deposits on the cruise and are close enough to departure that they will not provide a refund on the cruise, they generally will also not provide a refund on the travel insurance. But if you cancel early enough to get all or most of your deposit back, you will also get your travel insurance premium refunded."

If you’ve purchased retail travel insurance from a third-party provider or comparison website, you can often get a refund if you can show receipts proving that you received a full refund of all trip deposits and have not had any cancellation penalties or taken any travel credits when you canceled your trip.

That's because retail travel insurance is sold for a specific traveler and for a specific trip. If you have proof of a complete refund and have not received travel credits, then you no longer have what's called an "insurable interest" in the trip. The insurance company must cancel and refund your premium in full, says Skilken.

Insider tip: If the insurance company refuses, just tell them you have proof that you no longer have an insurable interest in the trip. You have to have an insurable interest in a trip to own a travel insurance policy.

Your agent may be able to help you get a refund

You may also be able to lean on the agent who sold you the policy. For example, all policies on Squaremouth come with a money-back guarantee.

"The purpose of this benefit is to give travelers extra time to review their policy documentation to be sure it’s the best policy for their coverage needs," says spokeswoman Jenna Hummer. At Squaremouth, the money-back period typically lasts between 10 and 14 days, which is in line with the mandated "free look" period.

However, I have also seen agents negotiate with travel insurance companies for a more generous refund period in case of extenuating circumstances. There's no guarantee that you'll get it, but it's worth asking — and one reason to work with a third party.

Agents can also help you avoid this problem. Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips , a travel agency, notes that American Airlines Vacation Packages offers a predeparture protection insurance plan, which allows cancellation for any reason before the outbound departing flight time. Other restrictions apply, she adds.

"More flexibility will often cost you more," she says. "But having the flexibility is a great way to sleep well at night."

Can't get a refund? Look for other kinds of flexibility from your travel insurance company

Even if your travel insurance company says no to a refund, it doesn't necessarily mean you've lost the value of your policy.

"If a travel supplier changes or cancels your trip, you should be able to change your travel insurance policy to match the new dates of your trip or even cover a new trip, sometimes up to two years into the future," says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA .

Pro tip: Be sure to change the dates of your travel insurance policy before the departure date of your current itinerary. You can do that online or by calling your agent. Once the policy's effective date has passed, making any changes or initiating a refund or credit becomes much more difficult.

Don't forget to do your due diligence

Bottom line: Travel insurance is refundable under certain circumstances. But knowing when can require research.

"It's important for consumers to carefully read their policy upon receipt to understand the specific terms offered by their insurance provider," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association.

The more you know, the likelier you are to get the refund you want when your plans change.

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