Sketchy of the Week: Vacation Rental Refund

When a hurricane is looming, the smart move is to stay far away from the predicted path of destruction. But for some travelers, caution can come with a hefty price tag, especially when it involves a vacation rental.

We recently received an email from a woman who made the responsible decision to cancel her vacation plans after the state declared a state of emergency in the coastal area she was set to visit. Concerned for her safety, she reached out to the property management company to cancel her booking. Unfortunately, the company refused to refund her payment or allow her to reschedule. When she asked why, the answer was clear – their contract stated no refunds after a specific date, even if natural disasters, like hurricanes, impacted the destination.

The kicker? The woman was told that if she had opted for the travel insurance offered at the time of booking, she would have been covered. But without it, canceling would mean she’d lose the entire cost of her rental – a whopping $2,200.

That’s when she contacted TrustDALE for help.

We reviewed the contract she had received and noticed something important was missing – there was no mention of hurricanes or natural disasters. We reached out to the property management company, who then sent us a different version of the contract, one that included a clear cancellation policy and the renter’s digital initials acknowledging the terms. In short, if she didn’t cancel weeks before her stay, she was out of luck.

After several conversations between us, the property management company, and the renter, the company made an exception. They allowed her to reschedule and apply her payment to new dates, which was a welcome resolution.

But here’s where things get sketchy.

Many companies now use digital signing options for contracts. You’ve probably encountered this yourself – a service technician hands you a device with a stylus, asking for your signature, but you may not take the time to read everything you're agreeing to. The same goes for vacation rentals. Companies email you contracts, expecting you to quickly initial and sign without truly reading the fine print. Let’s face it – when you’re excited about your upcoming trip, you might skim through or skip over important details.

And businesses count on this.

They know that most people don’t take the time to thoroughly read every page, and by the time you realize what you've signed, it’s often too late.

So, what’s the lesson here?

Always take the time to carefully read any contract before you sign. If the contract involves a significant amount of money and you don’t fully understand it, have a trusted friend or even a lawyer review it. When it comes to travel, especially vacations that are non-refundable, consider purchasing travel insurance. The small upfront cost is a fraction of what you could lose if your plans change or if a natural disaster ruins your trip.

Don’t let excitement cloud your judgment – read the fine print and protect your investment.

Watch the video!