Broadway Tickets: Are They Insured?

Ticket insurance is a type of protection that might reimburse your ticket purchase if you can't attend an event for certain covered, unexpected reasons. Broadway ticket insurance is available for purchase as an add-on when buying Broadway tickets. The insurance covers specific situations like medical issues, airline delays, traffic accidents, and weather-related issues. The cost of insurance is usually a little more than consumers would like to spend, and unless the ticket prices are extremely high, consumers are not likely to add on the extra fee. So, is it worth it? That depends on a variety of factors.

Pros and cons of insurance for Broadway tickets

Theatre tickets are non-refundable, but some companies offer insurance options that allow customers to protect their investment. Ticket insurance is particularly useful for tourists and travellers who are less likely to be able to offload unwanted tickets and may have paid a premium for them.

Pros of Insurance for Broadway Tickets

• Peace of mind: Ticket insurance protects customers from losing money if they cannot attend an event due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, job loss, transportation delays, military/family/legal obligations, and more.
• Full or partial refunds: Depending on the insurance provider and plan, customers may be reimbursed for 100% of their ticket cost, up to a certain limit. Even without insurance, some theatres may offer partial refunds or exchanges for unused tickets.
• Easy claims process: Some insurance providers offer 24/7 multilingual customer service and assistance with claims, making it convenient for customers to initiate the refund process.

Cons of Insurance for Broadway Tickets

• Limited availability: Not all theatres or ticket vendors offer insurance, and even when they do, it may only be available for certain shows or seat categories.
• Additional cost: Ticket insurance can add a significant amount to the total purchase price, especially for premium tickets. Customers must weigh the likelihood of needing to cancel against the cost of insurance.
• Refund conditions: Obtaining a refund through insurance may require extensive documentation and can take a long time, sometimes up to two months. There may also be specific conditions or restrictions, such as deadlines for submitting refund requests, that must be met to be eligible for a refund.
• Alternative options: Customers can often resell their tickets privately or give them away, especially for popular shows. While they may not recoup the full ticket price, it is a quick way to recover some of their costs without dealing with insurance companies.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase insurance for Broadway tickets depends on individual circumstances and preferences. While insurance can provide peace of mind and protection against unforeseen events, it comes at an additional cost and may not always be necessary or worth the hassle of filing a claim.

Ticket insurance cost

Theatre tickets are generally non-refundable. However, some platforms offer insurance options that allow you to cancel your tickets and receive a refund or voucher. The cost of ticket insurance varies depending on the ticket price and the platform through which you purchase it.

Ticketmaster, for example, offers an "Event Ticket Protector" program in collaboration with Allianz Global Assistance. The insurance cost is typically a little more than consumers would like to spend, and it is usually only considered for extremely valuable tickets. For instance, a user on TripAdvisor mentions purchasing ticket insurance through Ticketmaster for $46, while another user on BroadwayWorld mentions insurance for a $229 ticket costing $24.50.

TodayTix is another platform that offers ticket insurance. For instance, insurance for an $88 ticket costs $7. It is important to note that TodayTix insurance does not provide a cash refund but instead offers a voucher for the full cost of the tickets, including transaction fees.

Additionally, some Broadway shows may post-date unused tickets, allowing you to attend a future performance, which could serve as an alternative to purchasing ticket insurance. It is always recommended to check with the box office to understand their policies and practices regarding refunds, exchanges, and ticket insurance.

Reasons for refund

Theatre tickets are generally non-refundable. However, there are a few reasons why you may be able to get a refund for your Broadway tickets:

• The show has been cancelled: If the production closes early, and your ticket is for a date after the show's closing date, you will be automatically refunded. The ticketing agent will first offer you an exchange for another date, but if you decline, you will be refunded.
• Ticket protection: Some vendors offer ticket protection, which allows you to cancel your ticket and receive a refund or a voucher. For example, Ticketmaster offers the Event Ticket Protector program, developed with Allianz Global Assistance. TodayTix also offers insurance, which allows one-click cancellation as long as it's more than 24 hours before the show. The Hudson Broadway also offers a Ticket Protection Program for tickets purchased directly from their website.
• Post-dating: Some Broadway shows will post-date unused tickets, allowing your unused tickets to be honoured at a future performance, depending on availability.
• Reselling: While this won't get you a refund, it's worth noting that Broadway tickets can be pretty easy to sell, even at short notice, thanks to the many resale sites and social media platforms available.

It's important to note that the process and eligibility for refunds may vary depending on the vendor and the specific circumstances. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your ticket purchase and contact customer service if you have any questions or concerns about a potential refund.

Ticket insurance terms and conditions

Ticket insurance is available for Broadway shows, and it can be a valuable option for those seeking peace of mind when purchasing tickets. The insurance typically covers unforeseen circumstances that may prevent attendance, such as illness, travel delays, or emergencies. However, it's important to carefully review the terms and conditions before purchasing ticket insurance, as the coverage may be narrower than expected. Here are the detailed terms and conditions for ticket insurance:

Eligibility and Coverage:

• Ticket insurance typically applies to unforeseen circumstances that prevent attendance, including health, medical, travel, and emergency situations.
• Some common exclusions include seasonal or normal weather conditions, traffic delays, and personal preferences.
• Check with your insurance provider for a comprehensive list of covered reasons, as each policy may vary.

Purchasing Insurance:

• Ticket insurance can be purchased as an add-on during the ticket-buying process from select vendors, such as Ticketmaster or TodayTix.
• The cost of insurance varies depending on the ticket price and the vendor, and it is usually billed as an additional plan charge.
• Insurance is often offered as an optional choice, and it may be selected during checkout or by upgrading your purchase.

Refunds and Claims:

• In the event of a covered reason, ticket insurance provides a refund of the ticket price, taxes, fees, and other eligible event-related expenses.
• To initiate a refund, contact the insurance provider and submit the required documentation to support your claim.
• Refund requests are typically administered by a specific department or platform, and they may take several weeks to process.
• Be sure to review the eligibility criteria for refunds, as they often require the claimant to be the original ticket purchaser, and the request must be made within a specified timeframe.

Cancellation and Appeals:

• Most ticket insurance providers offer a "free look" period, allowing customers to cancel their insurance plan for a full refund within a certain number of days if they change their mind.
• If a claim is rejected, customers can appeal to the insurance company, providing additional information or evidence to support their case.

Additional Benefits:

• Ticket insurance often includes access to 24-hour assistance hotlines, providing multilingual support for medical, legal, or travel-related emergencies.
• Some credit cards and travel insurance policies may also offer benefits related to event tickets, so it is worth checking for overlapping coverage before purchasing additional insurance.

It is important to carefully review the specific terms and conditions provided by your chosen ticket insurance provider, as they may differ in certain aspects. Understanding the coverage, exclusions, and refund processes will help ensure a smooth experience and provide peace of mind when attending Broadway shows.

Alternatives to ticket insurance

Theatre tickets are known for being non-refundable. However, there are a few alternatives to ticket insurance that can be considered.

Firstly, it is worth noting that some Broadway shows will post-date unused tickets, pending availability. This option is worth exploring, especially for locals, as it involves inquiring at the box office about future performance dates when the original tickets can be honoured. This practice has become more common since the pandemic, with more flexibility being offered in terms of returns and exchanges.

Secondly, for those unable to use their tickets, there are numerous resale sites and social media platforms that can be utilised to sell tickets, even on short notice. While the seller may not recoup the full ticket price, this option provides an opportunity to recover some of the costs. Sites like StubHub, Craigslist, and social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be useful for this purpose.

Thirdly, certain ticket vendors, such as TodayTix, offer their own cancellation options. While this may not provide a full refund, it allows for the cancellation of tickets more than 24 hours before the show, with the customer receiving a voucher for the full cost of the tickets, including transaction fees.

Finally, credit card and travel insurance may also provide coverage for Broadway tickets. It is worth reviewing the terms of these policies to understand the specific protections they offer.

While these alternatives may not provide the same level of protection as ticket insurance, they offer other options for consumers to consider when purchasing Broadway tickets.

Frequently asked questions