Sandals Resorts launch complimentary travel protection with cancellation cover

Purchased on behalf of guests from Trip Mate, the ‘Travel Protection Plan – Insurance Is On Us’ policy will automatically apply to all guests’ booking made from 6 October through to 31 December 2020 and will cover:

• Up to US$100,000 per person for medical expenses in the Caribbean Islands, including for Covid-19, as well as pre-existing conditions (as set out by the policy);
• Up to $200 per day per person up to the value of $2,800 for any travel delays, accommodation and transportation expenses;
• And up to $100,000 per person for medical evacuation costs, including transfer to the nearest hospital that is equipped to handle a sickness or injury that is acute or life-threatening. Transportation is also covered for repatriation, on the condition that it is approved by the programme’s medical advisor.

There is no age limit for eligibility and access to assistance, Sandals Resorts adds.

Cancellation benefit to spur confidence in booking Sandals Resorts trips

The Cancellation Protection Benefit allows guests to cancel their vacation at least 31 days before arrival and receive a full refund on the land portion with zero penalties.

Those cancelling between 15 and 30 days prior to their trip will receive a refund of 50 per cent, plus a travel ticket worth the other 50 per cent of their booking cost, which they will be able to redeem for future travel to any Sandals or Beaches resort within 12 months.

“Travellers making vacation plans to the Caribbean can feel confident, thanks to these two new added perks to our ‘Book With Confidence’ programme," said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts.

More Sandals resorts due to re-open

Following the relaxation of travel restrictions around the world – and in the Caribbean – thanks to decreased numbers of new Covid cases in certain destinations and strict health and safety protocols, throughout October, Sandals will be re-opening four more of its Caribbean resorts.

Sandals Grenada and Sandals South Coast re-opened on 1 October 2020, while Sandals Royal Plantation is officially due to open to guests on 8 October, followed by Beaches Turks & Caicos on 14 October.

The Caribbean is typically a popular destination for US visitors; 2019 data from ForwardKeys revealed that US tourists account for 53 per cent of visitors to the Caribbean. And as the US Embassy in August updated its travel advice for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean countries from Level 4 – Do Not Travel to Level 3 – Reconsider Travel, it seems highly probable that a considerable number of people will no doubt take the plunge and book a trip with Sandals Resorts – especially with that cancellation protection coverage in place.

These ingenious insurance collaborations occurring between countries, travel agents and airlines; and international travel insurance and assistance providers (including Air Canada and Allianz Global, and Thailand and various insurers) are leading the industry out of the darkness and into the light. There is yet hope that the travel industry could bounce back sooner than planned.