DVC Travel Insurance

[gncntry]

DVC offers trip insurance through Travelex Insurance Services for $89 per use year and would protect the trips taken using that Use Year's points. Each Use Year plan is $89. Once coverage is elected, the Member and their Traveling Companions are covered for all benefits, up to thirteen people total, provided the maximum occupancy of the unit(s) is(are) not exceeded.

1) Has anyone purchased insurance through Travelex? Thoughts on price and service?
2) Has anyone needed to file a claim with Travelex? Thoughts on ease of use?

 

[DVC Dude]

I have never done this and would only consider it if I was using a ton of points or going with a large party or if there was some particular worry you are having.

I have only used vacation insurance on cruises and Caribbean travel during hurricane season and only cashed it in once in about 10 or so trips.

 

[jekjones1558]

We buy it every year. We do several trips and fly each time so this insurance is a bargain. We buy in January so we don't have to worry about arguing during any claim over pre-existing conditions.
We have not had to file a claim so far.

 

[Firepath]

We are new members and purchased the insurance for our '12, '13, and '14 UY points mostly because we have parents who are quite elderly and also some health issues that could require us to cancel at any time. I think the price is very good, particularly if you travel with a larger group or take more than one trip per UY. I usually purchased insurance before buying into DVC and always paid more then. I like some of the extras not in a typical travel policy. They cover fees to redeposit airline miles (which we almost always use), extra days for pet boarding if delayed, and accidental breakage coverage. We've only been on one trip so far and thankfully didn't need to file a claim. For us, the price is well worth the peace of mind. It would be interesting to hear from someone who has submitted a claim.

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

We have it and I used it a few years ago at VB. I got really sick...heat, cold beverages and not enough water. Ended up in the ER and a 7k bill. Personal insurance covered all but $750, and travelex picked up the rest.

Super easy, fast and great service IMO.

 

[jekjones1558]

We have it and I used it a few years ago at VB. I got really sick...heat, cold beverages and not enough water. Ended up in the ER and a 7k bill. Personal insurance covered all but $750, and travelex picked up the rest.

Super easy, fast and great service IMO.

Good to hear. Thanks for posting.

 

[midaroco]

I used to purchase the insurance for the same reason until I reviewed the coverage in greater detail and spoke with a CM about the coverage. If needing to cancel a trip, you are only really covered for the cost of the dues paid for the points. This being the case, I couldn't justify paying just about $100 on the off chance that I'd have to cancel in order to be reimbursed for the dues for the points used. (What was worse - even if only using 5 points from another use year - I'd then have to pay another $89 to cover the entire trip) I usually book December trips, and my use year is December, so if I had to reschedule a trip I decided I would be ok and it made more financial sense for me to not purchase the insurance.

My main reason for purchasing the insurance as I stated was in case I had to cancel a trip last minute. So in this case, it doesn't make financial sense for me.

If purchasing the insurance for other reasons, it may be a more viable option (as was the case with the other example provided where it wound up proving beneficial for that user).

Hope I didn't confuse the issue and perhaps helped a little

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to consider for cancellation is it only refunds the dues on the points, you don't get to reuse your points another time. Depending on the situation and timing, you might be better off letting them go into holding and try to rebook.

 

[jekjones1558]

We buy it more for the airline costs, medical, trip interruption, lost luggage, etc. than for the points coverage. We do multiple trips per use year, we fly, and we are old, which makes insurance on flights from other companies expensive for us. (The airlines we fly have really jacked up the costs for changing tickets. And because we usually book well in advance to get good flight times, there often is little time to reuse the tickets because it is one year from date of BOOKING.) We are always one year ahead on insurance in case we need to borrow for a reservation.

 

[Muhlenberg]

We buy it more for the airline costs, medical, trip interruption, lost luggage, etc. than for the points coverage. We do multiple trips per use year, we fly, and we are old, which makes insurance on flights from other companies expensive for us. (The airlines we fly have really jacked up the costs for changing tickets. And because we usually book well in advance to get good flight times, there often is little time to reuse the tickets because it is one year from date of BOOKING.) We are always one year ahead on insurance in case we need to borrow for a reservation.

That is exactly what I do, and why I do it. We take my 89 yo mother. My DH has health issues. Anything could happen at any time. And since I'm always in borrow mode, I'm really only paying $89 per year. To me, it's worth it. If we'd have to cancel, we'd more than likely lose the airfare if we didn't have insurance.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Why doesn't this insurance cover trips to Disneyland? I am staying on points at Grand Californian and CM told me I could not use the insurance for California trips.

 

[maburke]

Why doesn't this insurance cover trips to Disneyland? I am staying on points at Grand Californian and CM told me I could not use the insurance for California trips.

What? That doesn't seem right. I own points at VGC, why wouldn't trips there be covered? Or did you mean in one of the hotels? Does the coverage change if you're using reservation points? Or what if you're using cash for any of the nights? I'll have to look at the fine print.

 

[maburke]

We buy it every year. We do several trips and fly each time so this insurance is a bargain. We buy in January so we don't have to worry about arguing during any claim over pre-existing conditions.
We have not had to file a claim so far.

So how does this affect paying it on borrowed points? Did you pay for two years early on, and now just pay for one year (the borrowed year) each January? Is it noted somewhere that you're paying on the next UY?

 

[jekjones1558]

So how does this affect paying it on borrowed points? Did you pay for two years early on, and now just pay for one year (the borrowed year) each January? Is it noted somewhere that you're paying on the next UY?

Yes, I paid 2 years the first time and then 1 year now. I get a receipt emailed that gives details of which use year. Here is a portion of the receipt for the insurance I paid in 2013 use year for 2014 points:

 

[magicmommy]

We have purchased since they began offering it. We have not had to use it but since we usually take 2 trips a year for a total of 6 weeks, it just makes sense for us. Even if we just get reimbursed the amount of the dues, it would still be worth it to us. Plus, it's peace of mind.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

What? That doesn't seem right. I own points at VGC, why wouldn't trips there be covered? Or did you mean in one of the hotels? Does the coverage change if you're using reservation points? Or what if you're using cash for any of the nights? I'll have to look at the fine print.

Update, I called MS again and they did say it covered California trips!!! Jeez, why do I have to keep verifying this info? However, I only have one trip planned for my 2013 UY so I don't know if the $89 is worth it for one trip? It might be, at least I have up to 10 days before travel to add it.

 

[luv2boys]

Am I correct in that if I use 2012 and 2013 points, i have to pay $89 x 2? Also, how much do you get reimbursed for each point. I have a 535 point trip booked using 2012 banked points and 2013 points. Seems I remember back when they used travelguard it was something like $5 a point you were given back.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Am I correct in that if I use 2012 and 2013 points, i have to pay $89 x 2? Also, how much do you get reimbursed for each point. I have a 535 point trip booked using 2012 banked points and 2013 points. Seems I remember back when they used travelguard it was something like $5 a point you were given back.

As I understand it yes you do have to pay the fee for each UY your points are in. I thought you got reimbursed what ever the MF's were for points used. I could be wrong on that though.

 

[DebbieB]

As I understand it yes you do have to pay the fee for each UY your points are in. I thought you got reimbursed what ever the MF's were for points used. I could be wrong on that though.

That's correct - you get your dues money on the points. That's why you pay per use year. You are covered for all stays using that use years points.

 

[abthomas]

Another question. If I bought this insurance for a trip to Aulani and am going to Maui first will it cover the entire trip and plane tickets? It seems pretty affordable.