Is trip insurance needed? - The DIS Discussion Forums

kandb · 05-25-2009, 07:50 PM

Just wondering if most of you get the insurance that comes with disney vacation packages. Can anyone give the pros/cons of the insurance. Thank, Linda

ajleone · 05-25-2009, 08:25 PM

I used to never get the insurance. Then a couple of years ago then 2 days before my flight they started tracking a blizzard coming in. I got lucky and was able to get down a day early however if I hadn't it would have cost us quite a bit of cash. So I took that as a potential lesson learned and now buy the insurance for the piece of mind.

LoveTheEars · 05-25-2009, 09:02 PM

We always buy trip insurance but we don't buy it directly from WDW. We buy our insurance from InsureMyTrip. It has never been more than $150 (total) for my family of 4 trip cost under $5000. I feel comfortable that the policies that we buy will cover what we are most concerned about... that is illness or death of a family member and medical for my DH who does not currently have coverage. We can never be to safe and it is peace of mind..... I include all my expenses into the insurance. That is my airfare, hotel, park passes, pre-paid non refundable dinners, etc.

CleveRocks · 05-25-2009, 09:31 PM

The ONLY reason I buy the trip insurance is to protewct against the cost of unforseen medical emergencies during the trip. We have quite good health insurance, but out-of-network costs must be paid for out-of-pocket and then reimbursed at only 80% of what we paid.

Even a simple emergency room visit can run three or four thousand dollars easy. So I'd have to pay the hospital and physicians that money in full at some point, and only after I paid can I seek reimbursement from my insurance company, and we all know that I won't receive that money in a speedy manner. And if the bill is three grand, I'm responsible for 20%, or $600.

But even that might not be enough to convince me to buy the insurance, if the E.D. bill would be that "low." WHat if someone in the family had to be hospitalized overnight, AFTER an E.D. visit ... then we're looking at maybe $10,000, which means I'd be stuck paying 2 grand ... the insurance is looking better and better.

But the REAL reason I buy it is, what if we need some sort of medical transport? WHat if one in our party can't fly home on a commercial airline? WHat if we'll need to rent a car, or worse yet, need a flight ambulance? Tens of thousands of dollars, and guess what ... almost NO health insurance will pay for that sort of thing.

If it weren't for all of the above, I wouldn't bother with travel insurance for a Disney package. Disney has a pretty liberal cancellation policy and rescheduling policy, and the airlines' fees for changing a flight wouldn't be horribly more money than the insurance premium.

smiths02 · 05-25-2009, 10:18 PM

We decided no...but we are only booking a Disney package...no airline...I would have if airline were in the picture... (and definitely if in another country or if during hurricane season)

All in my party have health care coverage that would be fine, we have auto insurance, life insurance, etc. already. For our health insurance, there is no "out of network" for true emergency care. I pay $100 co-pay at the ER and 10% if admitted. This would be true at home or in FL. If you don't have health or life insurance, I would insure my trip to Disney...but then again, you probably should not be going to Disney if you can't afford life or health insurance!

Basically, it is almost a wash for us...if we cancel less than 6 days out we are out $200 per Disney cancellation policy...our insurance quote was about that amount...

Our only risk is really if something terrible happens once we start the vacation since I don't believe Disney offers any refund once the vacation starts...so we decided to just take that risk...If we have started the vacation, then we have started it and enjoyed at least some of it, it is a lot of money to lose, but it is money we were already spending on a vacation and we would just save up again

But if you do get it, I would go to insuremytrip.com
Also, be careful of when you buy the insurance. I know it is common to recommend NOT purchasing until final payment b/c you can get a full refund from Disney before then, but sometimes the parts of the insurance are only good if you buy at time of booking.

Lehuaann · 05-25-2009, 11:49 PM

We do. Why?

A CM told me a story on the phone that went something like this; a child was playing on a bunk bed at WL, fell off, and sustained a very serious head injury. The child was life-flighted to hospital and then on by private helicopter all the way home to...Alaska. Long story short, the child is fine now and the medical bills were completely covered by the trip insurance (via Disney). Had they chose not to accept trip insurance the parents, or their personal insurance, would have been responsible. He said just the helicopter ride alone was in the $10,000's.

Trip insurance is something like $170 for 2 adults (children are free)...way worth it for us.

aristocat65 · 05-26-2009, 01:43 AM

We don't buy cancellation insurance, but I do buy a travel insurance policy every year that covers us for out of country medical expenses, medical evacuations, etc. We're in Canada, so while we have virtually free medical at home, they only pay the same as it would cost at home for out of country treatment. I know that can get very expensive, so we make sure we have the extra insurance.

I take my chances with the cancellation thing though, because as others have said, Disney's cancellation policies are very good but I also accept it as a calculated risk that I could lose some money. For trips other than Disney I try to book hotel, flights, etc separately rather than packages as hotels can usually be cancelled at no charge up to the day of arrival.

Another reason I don't buy the cancellation insurance is that there are often so many restrictions, conditions, and clauses regarding pre-existing conditions if you or a family member got sick and had to cancel. I have had friends claim denied because a family member went into the hospital for emergency heart surgery and they had a pre-existing heart condition.

Disney's policy does look quite good though, but even it has a restrictions.

jwhtewolfd · 05-26-2009, 01:52 AM

Yes, we get it, but we travel during hurricane season for our anniversary. We live near New Orleans and drive to Orlando, so if there is a hurricane expected anywhere along the Gulf Coast, we're pretty much stuck. The only con I can think of is the additional cost, but when you're spending as much as you do to go to WDW, what's a couple extra hundred?

dazednconfused · 05-26-2009, 02:32 AM

We always purchase travel insurance. It's a good thing too since the last time we travelled, my daughter ended up at Florida Hospital in Celebration because of a bad stomach virus. The insurance paid for all the medical bills. If her illness had been more serious and she had to remain at the hospital for a few days, then the insurance would have also covered the extra expenses like extended hotel stay for us and any extra charges incurred if we had to change our flight home, etc. So, yeah. I'm a firm believer of travel insurance.

fla4fun · 05-26-2009, 05:32 AM

Two easy questions: Are you covered medically if one of you gets sick? Do you have the ability to pay for (or lose money for) any changes in travel plans due to weather, illness, injury, death in family, loss of job, etc.? If your insurance will cover you medically, and you can absorb any losses or extra expenses if your plans change last minute, then no, you don't need the insurance. If you answer no to either, or both, of those questions, then you should seriously consider it. There are policies that only cover medical, policies that only cover trip interruption/delay, and policies that cover both. I also find insuremytrip.com to be a good source of info, as they have several insurance companies on the site, and you can really compare the costs and coverages.

TaraPA · 05-26-2009, 06:17 AM

We choose not to get the insurance - we have great medical insurance - and the one time we DID buy insurance (years ago & NOT through Disney) - it had a weather/act of God clause. We did have to change our itinerary once there (Caribbean) due to a hurricane & there was no coverage for that. We were young & dumb & just assumed it would cover us for unexpected costs due to the hurricane. Lesson learned - read the policy to be sure it's for what you want - medical, emergencies, weather-related issues, etc.

RMulieri · 05-26-2009, 07:33 AM

I always get the insurance.Dh and I both have aging parents and a grandparent with medical issues. We have had to cancel mid-trip before due to a family death.Insurance is a lesson you learn after getting burned once.

Selket · 05-26-2009, 09:01 AM

If you or anyone in your party has pre-existing conditions then you must be VERY careful about the trip insurance. I have used this broker in the past (they don't charge extra - they advise on the major travel insurance companies) and they are very good about helping you with pre-existing conditions. It is easier to NOT get covered than to get covered for them so be careful!

This explains it very well: http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/3/pre-existing.shtml

smiths02 · 05-26-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaraPA

We choose not to get the insurance - we have great medical insurance - and the one time we DID buy insurance (years ago & NOT through Disney) - it had a weather/act of God clause. We did have to change our itinerary once there (Caribbean) due to a hurricane & there was no coverage for that. We were young & dumb & just assumed it would cover us for unexpected costs due to the hurricane. Lesson learned - read the policy to be sure it's for what you want - medical, emergencies, weather-related issues, etc.

That reminds me, another reason why we didn't get insurance this time...

We booked a cruise for our 1st anniversary in 2003. DH got activated and went to Iraq...most insurances will have act of God AND act of war clauses in the paper work (and we knew about it). Anyhow, the insurance company of course did nothing. AirTran just gave us a full out refund-go AirTrain! and Norweigan gave us a credit toward a future cruise (VERY smart on their part as we spent more on our 2nd anniversary cruise than we would have our first

) So the only money we were out was the insurance money.

Again, if you don't have good medical and life insurance or have airline or are travelling from very far, then I would get the insurance. However, I live 7 hours from Orlando and am driving.

AmberHeartsDisney · 05-26-2009, 01:39 PM

Last year i had a big trip to vegas planned with NO trip insurance well day of the trip BOOM i got super sick! my gallbladder failed, i had to have it removed. i missed the trip and lost all the $$$ so i did get trip insurance this time!!

05-25-2009, 07:50 PM	#1
kandb DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,822	Is trip insurance needed? Just wondering if most of you get the insurance that comes with disney vacation packages. Can anyone give the pros/cons of the insurance. Thank, Linda

05-25-2009, 09:02 PM	#3
LoveTheEars Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 166	We always buy trip insurance but we don't buy it directly from WDW. We buy our insurance from InsureMyTrip. It has never been more than $150 (total) for my family of 4 trip cost under $5000. I feel comfortable that the policies that we buy will cover what we are most concerned about... that is illness or death of a family member and medical for my DH who does not currently have coverage. We can never be to safe and it is peace of mind..... I include all my expenses into the insurance. That is my airfare, hotel, park passes, pre-paid non refundable dinners, etc. __________________ 2005 2006 2008 2009

05-25-2009, 09:31 PM	#4
CleveRocks Rock 'n' Roller Coaster worshipper Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Downbeach from Atlantic City Posts: 9,689	The ONLY reason I buy the trip insurance is to protewct against the cost of unforseen medical emergencies during the trip. We have quite good health insurance, but out-of-network costs must be paid for out-of-pocket and then reimbursed at only 80% of what we paid. Even a simple emergency room visit can run three or four thousand dollars easy. So I'd have to pay the hospital and physicians that money in full at some point, and only after I paid can I seek reimbursement from my insurance company, and we all know that I won't receive that money in a speedy manner. And if the bill is three grand, I'm responsible for 20%, or $600. But even that might not be enough to convince me to buy the insurance, if the E.D. bill would be that "low." WHat if someone in the family had to be hospitalized overnight, AFTER an E.D. visit ... then we're looking at maybe $10,000, which means I'd be stuck paying 2 grand ... the insurance is looking better and better. But the REAL reason I buy it is, what if we need some sort of medical transport? WHat if one in our party can't fly home on a commercial airline? WHat if we'll need to rent a car, or worse yet, need a flight ambulance? Tens of thousands of dollars, and guess what ... almost NO health insurance will pay for that sort of thing. If it weren't for all of the above, I wouldn't bother with travel insurance for a Disney package. Disney has a pretty liberal cancellation policy and rescheduling policy, and the airlines' fees for changing a flight wouldn't be horribly more money than the insurance premium. __________________ -- Eric

05-25-2009, 11:49 PM	#6
Lehuaann Lehu hu Boo Boo Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TN - from So Cal Posts: 2,122	We do. Why? A CM told me a story on the phone that went something like this; a child was playing on a bunk bed at WL, fell off, and sustained a very serious head injury. The child was life-flighted to hospital and then on by private helicopter all the way home to...Alaska. Long story short, the child is fine now and the medical bills were completely covered by the trip insurance (via Disney). Had they chose not to accept trip insurance the parents, or their personal insurance, would have been responsible. He said just the helicopter ride alone was in the $10,000's. Trip insurance is something like $170 for 2 adults (children are free)...way worth it for us. __________________ "'Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind ...or forgotten."

05-26-2009, 01:43 AM	#7
aristocat65 DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 818	We don't buy cancellation insurance, but I do buy a travel insurance policy every year that covers us for out of country medical expenses, medical evacuations, etc. We're in Canada, so while we have virtually free medical at home, they only pay the same as it would cost at home for out of country treatment. I know that can get very expensive, so we make sure we have the extra insurance. I take my chances with the cancellation thing though, because as others have said, Disney's cancellation policies are very good but I also accept it as a calculated risk that I could lose some money. For trips other than Disney I try to book hotel, flights, etc separately rather than packages as hotels can usually be cancelled at no charge up to the day of arrival. Another reason I don't buy the cancellation insurance is that there are often so many restrictions, conditions, and clauses regarding pre-existing conditions if you or a family member got sick and had to cancel. I have had friends claim denied because a family member went into the hospital for emergency heart surgery and they had a pre-existing heart condition. Disney's policy does look quite good though, but even it has a restrictions. __________________ Disneyland 1976, Disneyland 1979, Disneyland 1989 Anaheim Hilton (honeymoon), Disneyland 1991 Desert Inn and Suites, Disneyland 1999 Hilton Suites, Disneyland 2002 Ayres Anaheim, Disneyland 2004 Embassy Suites South, WDW 2005 Boardwalk Villas, Disneyland 2006 CCI, WDW 2006 Wilderness Lodge, Disneyland 2007 Embassy Suites South, WDW 2008 Coronado Springs, Disneyland 2008 Embassy Suites, WDW August 2009, Wilderness Lodge, Disneyland Feb 2011 Grand Californian, Disneyland Sept 2011, Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland May 2013 Paradise Pier

05-25-2009, 08:25 PM	#2
ajleone Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Merrimack , NH Posts: 1,427	I used to never get the insurance. Then a couple of years ago then 2 days before my flight they started tracking a blizzard coming in. I got lucky and was able to get down a day early however if I hadn't it would have cost us quite a bit of cash. So I took that as a potential lesson learned and now buy the insurance for the piece of mind.

\|
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

05-25-2009, 10:18 PM	#5
smiths02 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tyrone, GA Posts: 1,312	We decided no...but we are only booking a Disney package...no airline...I would have if airline were in the picture... (and definitely if in another country or if during hurricane season) All in my party have health care coverage that would be fine, we have auto insurance, life insurance, etc. already. For our health insurance, there is no "out of network" for true emergency care. I pay $100 co-pay at the ER and 10% if admitted. This would be true at home or in FL. If you don't have health or life insurance, I would insure my trip to Disney...but then again, you probably should not be going to Disney if you can't afford life or health insurance! Basically, it is almost a wash for us...if we cancel less than 6 days out we are out $200 per Disney cancellation policy...our insurance quote was about that amount... Our only risk is really if something terrible happens once we start the vacation since I don't believe Disney offers any refund once the vacation starts...so we decided to just take that risk...If we have started the vacation, then we have started it and enjoyed at least some of it, it is a lot of money to lose, but it is money we were already spending on a vacation and we would just save up again But if you do get it, I would go to insuremytrip.com Also, be careful of when you buy the insurance. I know it is common to recommend NOT purchasing until final payment b/c you can get a full refund from Disney before then, but sometimes the parts of the insurance are only good if you buy at time of booking.

05-26-2009, 01:52 AM	#8
jwhtewolfd DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Arabi, LA Posts: 826	Yes, we get it, but we travel during hurricane season for our anniversary. We live near New Orleans and drive to Orlando, so if there is a hurricane expected anywhere along the Gulf Coast, we're pretty much stuck. The only con I can think of is the additional cost, but when you're spending as much as you do to go to WDW, what's a couple extra hundred? __________________ Hurricane Pet Preparedness '88 / '93 CR / '01 / 9-21-08 ASMo / 9-24-09 Pop / 1-19-11 ASMu / 9-24-11 CBR Pirate! / 1-18-12 ASMo / 1-23-13 AoA / 9-23-13 ASMo

05-26-2009, 02:32 AM	#9
dazednconfused DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Eastern part of the world Posts: 936	We always purchase travel insurance. It's a good thing too since the last time we travelled, my daughter ended up at Florida Hospital in Celebration because of a bad stomach virus. The insurance paid for all the medical bills. If her illness had been more serious and she had to remain at the hospital for a few days, then the insurance would have also covered the extra expenses like extended hotel stay for us and any extra charges incurred if we had to change our flight home, etc. So, yeah. I'm a firm believer of travel insurance. __________________

05-26-2009, 05:32 AM	#10
fla4fun DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: near Orlando Posts: 8,110	Two easy questions: Are you covered medically if one of you gets sick? Do you have the ability to pay for (or lose money for) any changes in travel plans due to weather, illness, injury, death in family, loss of job, etc.? If your insurance will cover you medically, and you can absorb any losses or extra expenses if your plans change last minute, then no, you don't need the insurance. If you answer no to either, or both, of those questions, then you should seriously consider it. There are policies that only cover medical, policies that only cover trip interruption/delay, and policies that cover both. I also find insuremytrip.com to be a good source of info, as they have several insurance companies on the site, and you can really compare the costs and coverages.

05-26-2009, 06:17 AM	#11
TaraPA I will think of that animatronic as him I also wouldn't mind if they made it racier!The germs would just skeeve me out! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 14,304	We choose not to get the insurance - we have great medical insurance - and the one time we DID buy insurance (years ago & NOT through Disney) - it had a weather/act of God clause. We did have to change our itinerary once there (Caribbean) due to a hurricane & there was no coverage for that. We were young & dumb & just assumed it would cover us for unexpected costs due to the hurricane. Lesson learned - read the policy to be sure it's for what you want - medical, emergencies, weather-related issues, etc. __________________ BWV Girls Trip 4/13WL CL/AKV Jambo split family trip 3/13 CSR surprising family trip 12/12 POR Girls Trip 10/12 BC CL/Dolphin Family Trip 3/12 BCV/Poly Girls Trip 3/12 AKV Kidani 11/11 Girls Trip! Dolphin 3/11 - family trip Swan - 3/11 GIRLS TRIP! AKV Kidani - Girls Trip 10/10!! Dolphin 2/10- ESPN Weekend/family trip BLT 11/09 - Girls Trip Dolphin - 12/08 - Girls Trip Solo trip/offsite - 05/08 Dolphin 12/07 - mom & Dane trip AKL 12/06 - family trip AS Music 11/02 - mom & Ty trip Disneyland - Anaheim Hilton 5/02 - adults only! AS Sports 9/01 - family trip Swan 10/00 - family trip CSR 10/99 - family trip ** offsite 1989,1987, 1970's

05-26-2009, 07:33 AM	#12
RMulieri DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tom Sawyers Island Posts: 19,025	I always get the insurance.Dh and I both have aging parents and a grandparent with medical issues. We have had to cancel mid-trip before due to a family death.Insurance is a lesson you learn after getting burned once. __________________ Going Back to the DarkSide -Universal Orlando August 2013

05-26-2009, 09:01 AM	#13
Selket Yes I AM being whiney about not getting a postcard! I will measure, nest, lift and squeeze Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: MD, USA Posts: 3,326	If you or anyone in your party has pre-existing conditions then you must be VERY careful about the trip insurance. I have used this broker in the past (they don't charge extra - they advise on the major travel insurance companies) and they are very good about helping you with pre-existing conditions. It is easier to NOT get covered than to get covered for them so be careful! This explains it very well: http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/3/pre-existing.shtml __________________ Carol G. Off-site lots; POFQ 2000, AKL 2003, CR and CSR 2005, POR 2006, CSR and ASMu 2007; POFQ & CR (MK view!) 2008; CSR & BC 2009, CSR & POFQ 2011, POR 2012, AAR & CSR 2013 DCL: Oct Western, 2007, Sept. 28, 2008 Western; Universal: HRH, 2010

05-26-2009, 01:39 PM	#15
AmberHeartsDisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,283	Last year i had a big trip to vegas planned with NO trip insurance well day of the trip BOOM i got super sick! my gallbladder failed, i had to have it removed. i missed the trip and lost all the $$$ so i did get trip insurance this time!! __________________ March/April 2007- Offsite~11/29/09-12/07/09-Polynesian (For free! I won a trip)~11/29-12/07/10-Polynesian~5/12-5/17/11 Polynesian~9/16-9/19/11 All Star Music~11/13-11/17/11 Animal Kingdom Lodge Club level - Honeymoon ~11/17-11/20/12 Disney Dream Cruise~11/2-11/9 2013 POFQ~11/2014 Disney Fantasy Cruise Etsy ID: ivegonecrafty

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