Choosing travel insurance is a crucial part of planning any trip, and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance often comes up due to its association with the renowned Warren Buffett. Many, like myself, might assume that backing from such a reputable figure guarantees quality service and reliable coverage. My experience, however, suggests a starkly different reality, particularly when it comes to trip interruption claims.
My trip to Iceland over Christmas and New Year (December 23rd to January 2nd, 2025) was supposed to be a memorable holiday. I booked a comprehensive travel insurance policy through Squaremouth and opted for Berkshire Hathaway, trusting in their supposed solid reputation. I had a VRBO apartment reservation secured for around $1600. Unfortunately, upon arrival in Iceland, disaster struck. I received a text message informing me that my accommodation was cancelled.
The initial explanation was vague, but eventually, I learned the apartment was uninhabitable due to a major water pipe break, an issue that would take weeks to resolve. Stranded in the Icelandic rain with a rental car and no place to stay, my holiday quickly turned into a nightmare. Hours were spent in the car, battling roaming charges and stress, as I desperately contacted VRBO, Expedia, and other lodging providers trying to find last-minute accommodation during peak Christmas season. The replacement lodging I managed to secure was significantly more expensive.
Seeking reimbursement for this unexpected expense and significant disruption, I filed a “trip interruption” claim with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance. To my utter dismay, my claim was denied. Their reasoning? A broken pipe and being denied entry to my reserved accommodation was deemed a mere “inconvenience” and not a covered event under their policy.
This response is baffling and frankly, unacceptable. Travel insurance is purchased precisely to protect against unforeseen circumstances. How can anyone predict a major pipe burst rendering their accommodation uninhabitable? If a minor luggage delay constitutes a trip interruption, surely being denied entry to your pre-booked lodging, forcing you to spend hours in distress and incur extra expenses during a holiday peak season, should also qualify, and more so.
The specific reason for being denied entry, be it a pipe burst or any other unforeseen issue making the property unusable, should be irrelevant. The core issue is the significant trip interruption and the financial burden placed on the traveler due to circumstances entirely beyond their control. My experience leads me to believe that Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance’s comprehensive policy is far from comprehensive in practice. It appears to be more of a carefully constructed system designed to collect premiums while finding loopholes to deny legitimate claims, effectively cheating customers.
Based on my experience, I strongly advise travelers to stay away from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance. Don’t be misled by the Warren Buffett name. This “insurance” feels more like a gamble where the odds are heavily stacked against the customer. My ordeal serves as a stark warning: when travel goes wrong, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance may leave you stranded and financially burdened, adding insult to injury. Explore other travel insurance providers who genuinely prioritize customer protection and fair claim handling. Your peace of mind and wallet may depend on it.
