Best Travel Insurance

[michashell]

Does anyone have experience purchasing travel insurance when renting points? We want to rent points, so we can try out a DVC. It's very likely that we will purchase in the near future. As we have young children, I worry about sudden sicknesses. My kids tend to be fine one day and wake with a high fever and ear infection the next.

There seems to be so many plans from which to choose. I understand that there would be some financial loss if we have to cancel at the last minute. I would like to hear some firsthand experiences. Even us if you didn't need to use the insurance, how did you choose the plan that you did?

Thanks so much!

 

[kv777]

I DEFINITELY recommend trip insurance if you are renting points. We had a trip to Disney planned over Christmas, suppose to fly out on December 25. Instead, on Dec. 25 we were in the ER with my DD after she passed out cold twice that morning. She was very sick with a flu-like virus (tested negative twice for the flu), and we had to cancel the trip. (My DS and I both ended up getting what she had several days later.) I had purchased trip insurance through USAA, who has a contract with Travel Insured. I am just seeking reimbursement for the hotel room--I also had rented points from a DVC owner as well as one night for a hotel in Tampa (where we were suppose to stay the first night and cancellation was not allowed after Dec. 21). Everything else either was refundable or I can use at a later time. Flights were on Southwest so I have the credit there to use at a later time. There are several sites out there that will search around and allow you to compare policies. One such site is insuremytrip.com. Life is just uncertain so I would definitely recommend the trip insurance!!

The trip insurance is really very cheap considering what you could possibly lose. (In many plans, children under 18 are included for free in the plan.) There are usually 3 tiers of plans to choose from. I usually choose the middle tier--it seems to offer the protection I need. You usually need to purchase the plan within 21 days or so of making your initial trip deposit for pre-existing conditions to be covered. There are also some add-on benefits you can choose if they fit your situation.

 

[michashell]

Thanks so much for your feedback!