Do you buy trip insurance??

[canlafre]

If you buy insurance from Disney for your package. Will it cover your airline tickets that you bought on your own? I talked to a reservation CM to see if it would cover delays in getting there do to the weather and if we had to stay over in an airport .

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It depends on the airline. Southwest does not have change fees but you could be hit with increase in fare. Legacy airlines like United, American, Delta are now charging a $200 change fee on non-refundable fares (per person).

$300 for international flights!

 

[Lewisc]

I never buy insurance for cruises or vacations. I only buy insurance for expected events that would cause me major financial distress.

Check you medical insurance. Medical costs, evacuation costs and repatriation costs can be significant. Reading threads on this issue, various internet boards, leaves me to believe many people who don't buy insurance don't know if their health insurance policy offers adequate coverage. I also think many of the people who always purchase insurance don't know if their health insurance policy offers adequate coverage. Most travel insurance offers secondary coverage.

Yes, I buy. I cover our air fare as well as condo rental. I don't insure park tickets because they can be used whenever if we should have to reschedule trip. Fingers crossed, we'll be good to go, but you just never know!

Condo rentals from private individuals is frequently prepaid and non-refundable. Travel insurance might make sense.

Have you looked at what it costs if you have to pay for a medical evacuation while on a cruise? I would qualify that as "major financial distress" for most people (and we have great insurance). The cost of the cruise isn't the issue... it's the unexpected costs that could arise.

Agreed but many health policies cover such items. Buying travel offering secondary coverage if your health insurance policy already offers such coverage gives offers very little additional benefit.

I have to agree with you on that one.
For our upcoming trip in Jan/14, the cost of the trip insurance on the airfare was going to be $220 ($110 each) whereas the change/cancellation fee on the flight was only $90 per person (and only if we actually need to change or cancel).

Cheaper to just forgo the insurance and if you have to change or cancel, just pay the airlines fee (We are using Air Canada/United)
My credit card also has trip cancellation/interruption coverage so we should be covered all around incase of any issues

FYI: You should be aware that travel insurance does not generally cover you for any pre-existing conditions. So if for example, you have been diagnosed with a heart condition and then have a heart attack just before your departure date and have to cancel. Your travel insurance probably will not cover you anyway. Don't want to rain on anyones parade, but read the fine print in that contract before signing up. You could be paying for something that will be useless to you should you have a related health issue.

I agree with your first point. What is the premium and what are the benefits. Hotel room, tickets and rental car frequently have little (or no) cancellation fees. Health insurance may offer adequate coverage. Buying travel insurance just to cover an airline change fee might be a waste of money.
c
Many policies waiver pre-existing conditions if purchased within a specified number of days of making your first payment. Some waive pre-existing conditions if you purchase prior to your final payment. You want to cancel a trip because a family member not traveling with you has a medical condition. Some policies apply the pre-existing conditions clause to those individuals.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

For the small fee I use Travel Safe and compare the policies. The cost is so minimal compared to the emergencies we had. One out of pocket, the other smart enough to get the policy so it was covered. Our health insurance at the time did not work out of state.
We used it on two cruises for urgent care visits too. Really worth the minimal cost. I think ours was $77 and the kids maybe $29.