Travel Disclaimer
Itinerary, pricing and all terms and conditions are subject to change without notice, either before departure or after commencement of the program. Program is subject to the “Terms and Conditions” and “Responsibilities” set forth by each company operating the trip. Some of the trips offered are also available to other university alumni associations, museum and zoo members or other nonprofit organizations. In some cases, there may be more CU Boulder alumni participants than from other institutions, while on other trips our participants may be in the minority. Regardless, participants usually discover they are traveling with people with similar interests, which enhances the experience for all and often forges lifetime friendships.
Refund and cancellation policies
Each of our tour companies sets its own cancellation and refund policies. You should consult the individual trip brochure. Tour companies generally require a written cancellation in order to process refunds and may retain a portion of the payment for administrative fees.
All confirmed passengers receive travel insurance information as a benefit of traveling with us. The insurance is optional but may be worth the investment, especially if you find you have to cancel the trip unexpectedly. Also, we suggest that you check with your medical insurance company to determine whether you are covered outside the U.S. Preexisting conditions can be covered through the insurance we offer, as long as you apply to the insurance company within 15 days of initial trip deposit or payment.
Our insurance partner is USI’s Travel Insurance Services of Walnut Creek, California specializing in travel insurance products. It is one of today’s leading travel insurance companies, renowned for its service and its tradition for fairness and stability. Its staff is dedicated to providing you with the very best service as well as to exceeding your expectations.
Is Travel Insurance worth the added expense and what should one look for in a policy?
We were recently asked that question.
Travel Insurance is just as important as any other insurance. You would never think of driving your car without automobile insurance or going without home owner’s or renter’s coverage. Part of the trip planning routine should be securing a good Travel Insurance policy. There are so many perils that may befall the person prior to departing as well as while on that long awaited trip. In my 20-plus years in the industry, I see that the most frequently used benefit is pre-departure cancellation. When one is planning an exciting vacation, the last thing you want to think about is the need to cancel that trip. Even if you are hale and hearty and ready to go, there are things other than your own illness or accident that can disrupt those plans. A family member’s unexpected illness or death can put an end your well laid plans. What happens if the operator or cruise line you are using suddenly declares bankruptcy and you are out all the funds you have paid? Travel Insurance can offer relief in such situations.
Travel Insurance can be a saving grace when you are on your trip and have to return home due to your or a family members illness or the death of a family member. You can be reimbursed for the unused travel arrangements as well as the additional ticket cost to return to your home. The insurance can certainly come in handy if while traveling, you have an accident or become gravely ill and need emergency evacuation and hospitalization and then transportation home. Those expenses can run into thousands of dollars and many foreign hospitals will not release you without full payment or at least a guarantee of payment. The insurance company’s assistance service can get involved to help facilitate the payment guarantees as well as arrange, oversee and cover the medically necessary evacuation.
If you are traveling alone and are hospitalized for an extended period, most policies will bring a family member to your bedside.
There are the simple things provided by travel insurance policies such as baggage delay to reimburse for some of the emergency items needed if you arrive and your bags don’t or Trip Delay benefits that would provide a daily amount for additional accommodations if travel is delayed.
All of the above are some features that should be available in a good Travel Insurance Policy. There are also policies available, at a higher premium that will cover a percentage of your loss if you cancel for any reason at all.
There are things you should look for when in the market for Travel Insurance in addition to the benefits above. Be sure that it is insurance underwritten by an insurance company and not simply a waiver. Many waivers offered by travel suppliers will only offer vouchers to replace the trip at a later date with no refunded cash. Also be aware that most policies will not cover the financial default of the organization providing the travel. It is also very important that the policy you purchase offers a 24-hour assistance phone number. You need to be able to reach help if the need arises.
Travel Insurance is a wise investment any time you travel away from home and especially if there are travel costs involved. It is extremely valuable if you are traveling outside the country and experience a situation where language barriers could cause difficulty in communication. An emergency medical evacuation to a medical facility or back home could be very costly. When difficulties arise, having travel insurance in place can seem a small price to pay.
So the answer to the question is: Of Course!
Reproduced with permission from USI Travel Insurance Services
More questions? Call Travel Insurance Services at 800-937-1387 or visit them online.
Scheduled tours
Our world is in a continuous state of change and some of those changes may force a tour operator to alter dates, itineraries, program details and/or prices for some trips. You should verify all such details with us or with the tour company prior to making a reservation.
Physically challenged travelers
A helper capable of and totally responsible for providing the required attention and assistance must accompany participants requiring extraordinary assistance. Please keep in mind that when traveling as part of a group it is important not to impede or slow down the itinerary. Most trips do involve walking. Any physical and/or medical restrictions must be reported at the time the reservation is made. Please check with us or with the tour company to assist in determining if a trip is right for you.
Responsibility tour participant contract. Important!
The CU Boulder Alumni Association and its agents act only as agents for the suppliers of transportation, accommodations, food and other goods and services provided to the tour participant. All arrangements for transport, accommodations and services are made upon the express condition that the CU Alumni Association shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damage, injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity of any kind occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party such as an airline, cruise line, train, hotel, restaurant, ground handler, etc., who is to or does supply any goods or services for the tour. Without limiting the foregoing, the CU Alumni Association is not responsible for any losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of God, acts of terrorism, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, or for any other cause beyond its control. The CU Alumni Association reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour without prior notice. If the tour is cancelled by the CU Alumni Association for any reason, The CU shall have no liability beyond the refund of all tour participants’ deposits received by it. The CU Alumni Association may increase the tour price in the event of cost increases. The CU Alumni Association may decline to accept or to retain any tour participant as a participant on the tour at any time. If any tour participant leaves or is removed from the tour, a refund only for refundable unused services shall be made. These tours may be sold in conjunction with the services of any airline. The passenger tickets in use by the air carriers, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time tour participants are not aboard their conveyances. Any litigation concerning this tour must be brought in the state of Colorado. Changes in the responsibility clause can be made only in writing signed by an officer of the CU Alumni Association. Deposits paid by tour participants indicate acceptance of the above terms and conditions.
