Do you buy trip insurance??

[momof2mouses]

We are flying to WDW in February and I can't decide wether or not to purchase trip insurance. If I had purchased airline tickets out of pocket, I'm sure it would be a no-brainier but I purchased them with miles. So really I'm not out if I lose that,but my question is with Disney. If we have to change our trip within the 45 days how does that work??

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It depends on what your insurance covers and the terms of your contract with Disney. You can get some ideas of costs and coverage types at insuremytrip.com.

 

[momof2mouses]

It depends on what your insurance covers and the terms of your contract with Disney. You can get some ideas of costs and coverage types at insuremytrip.com.

What happens if you do NOT have trip insurance? Do you lose all your money or just a penalty? Can you change the dates without penalty?

 

[momof2mouses]

What happens if you do NOT have insurance? Can you change dats without penalty? If you cancel do you lose all your money or just a portion?

 

[Gracie09]

We always do. More in case something happens and we get stuck and have to pay for a hotel oop or change flights. Or if someone gets seriously sick or injured and can't travel for several days.

 

[supergoofy]

What happens if you do NOT have insurance? Can you change dats without penalty? If you cancel do you lose all your money or just a portion?

A decade ago we had to change our dates do to a death in the family.

Disney moved our dates and we didn't incur any penalty.

The airlines were not so easy. We ended up having to pay a pay to move our airline dates. Not the full fare but like $25 or something small per person.


This trip I will be getting trip insurance on airline tickets as the cost is huge. Hotel has a 20 day policy and I may also do that just do to the cost.

 

[HookdonWDW]

We only buy trip insurance for cruises.

 

[deb010305]

We usually buy trip insurance, but have only had to use it once - in August 2011 we were stuck at WDW because there was a hurricane at home in New England. The trip insurance reimbursed us for the hotel charges and the meals/food.

 

[stitchlovestink]

For a trip to WDW, Nope Never!! I have been to Disney, 18ish times and have never bought insurance. I have canceled trips within 30 days of arrival and moved my deposit to a new date with NO penalty. WDW is great about being flexible if you need to change dates.
Now for our cruises, I buy insurance.!

 

[MillauFr]

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

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We always have trip insurance for our Florida vacations.

In the winter, we have winter weather which may delay or cancel our scheduled plans from our airport of departure.

In the summer, we have hurricanes in Florida which may cause us issues either coming or going (and almost did in August 2012 when Hurricane Isaac reared his ugly head).

In the grand scheme of the overall cost of our travels, the insurance cost is minimal and is a peace of mind we find very valuable. God forbid something awful occurs (like a death in the family), then that catastrophe is not compounded by the loss of thousands of dollars for our getaway.

As non-US residents, we also purchase travel medical coverage for when we are in the States. Again, we have never had to use it (touch wood) but knowing its there if we need it is a wonderful comfort....and it has the potential to save us thousands if something actually does go wrong. Well worth the $$ for us.

Thanks to a card upgrade from Visa, our travel insurance is now provided under our credit card (as long as all components were purchased using that particular method). It might be worth checking your credit card details to see if this might apply to you as well.

 

[sam_gordon]

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

For many people, losing the money spent for cruises or vacations IS "major financial distress".

Find out the cancellation policy for wherever you're going. As far as I know (and I could be wrong), you might be out the deposit for a stay at Disney. You shouldn't be on the hook for everything. I wouldn't buy insurance for that.

For a cruise, if you cancel within 'x' amount of days, you're out the entire amount. So yes, I would buy insurance for that.

As far as airfare, it would matter how much the tickets were (ie: how much I'd lose) vs. how much the insurance costs.

 

[RysMomma]

Yes-we buy insurance for any flights or trips planned. It's a little extra money but it gives us peace of mind!

 

[wiigirl]

Yes-we buy insurance for any flights or trips planned. It's a little extra money but it gives us peace of mind!

x2

 

[Badamon]

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!

 

[HookdonWDW]

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

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.

 

[dis_guy]

Check to see if you already have travel insurance benefits. My credit card has loads of built in travel insurance (it's a travel rewards card) provided I pay for 75% of the cost with it, and my benefit plan from work has some too. Otherwise, I'd get flight insurance but not the Disney insurance. IIRC the cancellation penalty is only slightly more than the insurance and would only apply in the event of cancellation while you pay for the insurance whether you use it or not.

 

[MillauFr]

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. That is the one item I think the insurance is warranted. Also if your health insurance doesn't cover you outside of the US. I've read mixed messages here about when the US Coast Guard evacuates people at no cost versus when you have to use a private carrier.

 

[nacho113]

the cancellation penalty is only slightly more than the insurance and would only apply in the event of cancellation while you pay for the insurance whether you use it or not.

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.

 

[DebbieB]

What happens if you do NOT have insurance? Can you change dats without penalty? If you cancel do you lose all your money or just a portion?

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).