DVC trip insurance (Travelex?)

[TraceybaxNC]

I really don’t see how it’s particularly cost-effective given that it only covers dues.

I can see that. It also covers airfare and rental car costs in relation to trip cancellation/interruption, baggage related issues. Several things a typical travel policy covers. So $99 for each year of trips feels cost effective when I've paid $250+ per week for other vacations in the past. But at same time, if I have to get a separate insurance to cover theme park ticket, or other actual trip costs then it might still be paying $$$ to insure each trip "just in case".

 

[DonMacGregor]

I really don’t see how it’s particularly cost-effective given that it only covers dues.

Well, I’ve got 3 separate 5 night stays in a 2BR using a combination of SSR and BRV points, which averages out to around $8 per point in dues, and about 230 points per trip, so each of those trips amounts to $1,840 in dues. $99 seems pretty cost-effective to me.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Well, I’ve got 3 separate 5 night stays in a 2BR using a combination of SSR and BRV points, which averages out to around $8 per point in dues, and about 230 points per trip, so each of those trips amounts to $1,840 in dues. $99 seems pretty cost-effective to me.

What I meant was, you’ve still got a high risk of ruin given that those points are really worth closer to $18-$20 each. It’s a shame there’s no way to insure their actual value.

 

[DonMacGregor]

What I meant was, you’ve still got a high risk of ruin given that those points are really worth closer to $18-$20 each. It’s a shame there’s no way to insure their actual value.

True, but it’s better than zero.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

True, but it’s better than zero.

I also don’t have quite as many points as you so the $99 is less cost-effective. You’re right, the fact that it doesn’t scale with your ownership makes it a really good deal if you have a ton of points.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I also don’t have quite as many points as you so the $99 is less cost-effective. You’re right, the fact that it doesn’t scale with your ownership makes it a really good deal if you have a ton of points.

I also have all of my points in the same use year.

 

[dwg]

The reimbursement of lost DVC points is only a small part of why you would by travel insurance for trips booked with points. The bigger issue is what the insurance can do for you if you are on your trip and have something like a major medical issue that requires emergency evacuation or some other medical expense or have an accident with a rental car, etc. I think in these situations without insurance you would be paying out of pocket much more the some perceived value of points on a rental market. So the most that DVC travel insurance would cost is $300 to cover 3 use years on a trip for everyone in your party. That seems like a bargain compared to what outside travel insurance would cost

In addition to covering your points some of the additional items covered are
Emergency Evacuation $250,000
Accident and sickness medical expenses. $25,000
Car rental collision. $35,000
Accidental or unintentional damage to your unit $2,000.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

The reimbursement of lost DVC points is only a small part of why you would by travel insurance for trips booked with points. The bigger issue is what the insurance can do for you if you are on your trip and have something like a major medical issue that requires emergency evacuation or some other medical expense or have an accident with a rental car, etc. I think in these situations without insurance you would be paying out of pocket much more the some perceived value of points on a rental market. So the most that DVC travel insurance would cost is $300 to cover 3 use years on a trip for everyone in your party. That seems like a bargain compared to what outside travel insurance would cost

In addition to covering your points some of the additional items covered are
Emergency Evacuation $250,000
Accident and sickness medical expenses. $25,000
Car rental collision. $35,000
Accidental or unintentional damage to your unit $2,000.

For most people regular health insurance is going to cover the first two (it’s orlando, not a foreign country), your regular car insurance will cover the third, and yeah I guess the 4th is worth something but what kind of damage are you worried about accidentally doin gto a dvc unit that Disney is going to charge you for?

 

[dwg]

For most people regular health insurance is going to cover the first two (it’s orlando, not a foreign country), your regular car insurance will cover the third, and yeah I guess the 4th is worth something but what kind of damage are you worried about accidentally doin gto a dvc unit that Disney is going to charge you for?

Assuming that DVC is only for Orlando is short sighted. DVC points can be used all over the world, at least if you are a direct buyer. Not all health insurance is going to immediately cover foreign countries. You may have to pay out of pocket first and get reimbursed. Also depending on your health insurance even if you are talking about travel within the US you may end up needing medical care that is "out of network" or have high deductibles and copays so you could incur a large unforeseen expense that could have been avoided if you had travel insurance. Your car insurance would not cover the cost the rental company will charge you for the time their car is out of service plus using your car insurance will most likely result in and additional annual premium cost over a 3 year period. Also if you are unlucky enough to have an additional accident or just get a ticket during this period your rates will increase even more.
As far as damage to the room, nobody expects anything to happen but the unexpected does happen.

The real point here is that you do not seem to see value in travel insurance or at least the value of DVC travel insurance because you feel like it is not reimbursing you enough for your points in the event you need to cancel your trip. You are welcome to your opinion. As I have travelled more I have come to see the value of travel insurance whether it is through DVC or an outside company.

 

[MiaSRN62]

And Travelex is only for the points... we'd still need to have a separate policy from another company for things like park tickets, meal expenses, etc.

TraceybaxNC.....

To my understanding, Travelex covers much more than just points??? From the DVC Member site (unless I am understanding this incorrectly?):


Protect your Disney Vacation Club travels by purchasing travel insurance today for $99 for a full use-year of protection!

Disney Vacation Club offers comprehensive travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services that is designed specifically for the needs of our Members:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption – Helps protect your travel investment by reimbursing you for pre-paid, non-refundable dues and other out-of-pocket expenses if you must cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered reason.
• Emergency Medical Expenses – Ensures you receive adequate medical care when traveling and can cover the cost of transporting you to the nearest medical facility in an emergency.
• Trip Delay – Provides coverage if you are delayed for 5 hours or more while en route to or from your destination.
• Primary Coverage – Provides easy claims handling and less time and hassle to receive reimbursement for eligible losses with no deductibles. Funds may be recovered from your medical or other collectible insurance plans.
• Baggage & Baggage Delay – Safeguards personal articles and expenses if bags are lost, stolen, damaged or delayed for 12 hours or more while traveling.
• Security Deposit Protection – Provides coverage for accidental and unintentional damage to your unit and its contents

In addition to the insurance plan, you will receive 24-Hour Travel Assistance & Concierge Services, provided by On Call International. This includes assistance with medical emergencies, lost items such as passports and luggage and more through a 24/7 toll-free number before or during your trip.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Assuming that DVC is only for Orlando is short sighted. DVC points can be used all over the world, at least if you are a direct buyer. Not all health insurance is going to immediately cover foreign countries. You may have to pay out of pocket first and get reimbursed. Also depending on your health insurance even if you are talking about travel within the US you may end up needing medical care that is "out of network" or have high deductibles and copays so you could incur a large unforeseen expense that could have been avoided if you had travel insurance. Your car insurance would not cover the cost the rental company will charge you for the time their car is out of service plus using your car insurance will most likely result in and additional annual premium cost over a 3 year period. Also if you are unlucky enough to have an additional accident or just get a ticket during this period your rates will increase even more.
As far as damage to the room, nobody expects anything to happen but the unexpected does happen.

The real point here is that you do not seem to see value in travel insurance or at least the value of DVC travel insurance because you feel like it is not reimbursing you enough for your points in the event you need to cancel your trip. You are welcome to your opinion. As I have travelled more I have come to see the value of travel insurance whether it is through DVC or an outside company.

I think trip insurance is incredibly valuable… when purchased to cover your nonrefundable trip expenses in the event you have to cancel (due to illness, or some other covered purpose). I wish such a product existed for DVC (for either owned or rented points), but alas, it does not.

 

[DvcNJnewbie]

Agreed. Overall not a bad policy compared to others.

TWENTY-ONE DAY LOOK: You may cancel this insurance by giving the Company or the Property Management Company written notice within the first to occur of the following: (a) 21 days from the Effective Date of your insurance; or (b) your scheduled Departure Date. If you do this, the Company will refund your premium paid provided no insured has filed a claim under this Policy
Extra Coverage
(when the insurance plan is purchased within 3 days of payment of the Insured’s billing statement for Maintenance Charges or the Effective Date of this plan is the date following the termination date of a previous plan purchased through the same Property Management Company)
• Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver
COVID illness not excluded. Some policies exclude cancellation for COVID.

Here is the link to the policy terms for anyone who wants to dig deeper. displaydocument.ashx Had to put a state in to see policy (NJ for me)

Thx for the tip on the extra coverage!

Does anyone know how it works in terms of buying the insurance within 3 days of payment of maintenance charges? I pay my dues in small amounts over the year..


I just bought this for my 2024 and 2025 use years, seeing as 500+ point stays can have pretty hefty dues attached to them. Hopefully I will not need it for cancellation.
I have used my credit card travel insurance in the past for trip delays and been reimbursed for trip delays (invoiced myself for an extra day when the hurricane hit in aug 2023)

 

[dwg]

Thx for the tip on the extra coverage!

Does anyone know how it works in terms of buying the insurance within 3 days of payment of maintenance charges? I pay my dues in small amounts over the year..


I just bought this for my 2024 and 2025 use years, seeing as 500+ point stays can have pretty hefty dues attached to them. Hopefully I will not need it for cancellation.
I have used my credit card travel insurance in the past for trip delays and been reimbursed for trip delays (invoiced myself for an extra day when the hurricane hit in aug 2023)

In regards to the medical waiver the policy would have to be purchased within 3 days of the annual dues being due which is January 15 each year. This is the same for everyone regardless of if they are are on an automatic monthly payment plan and regardless of when the use year starts.

The medical exclusion is listed below:

1. PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION EXCLUSION: The Company will not pay for any loss or expense incurred as the result of an Injury, Sickness or other condition (including any condition from which death ensues) of an Insured, Traveling Companion, which, within the 60 day period immediately preceding and including the Insured’s coverage effective date: (a) first manifested itself, worsened, became acute or had symptoms which would have prompted a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care or treatment; (b) for which care or treatment was given or recommended by a Physician; (c) required taking prescription drugs or medicines, unless the condition for which the drugs or medicines are taken remains controlled without any change in the required prescription drugs or medicines.

If you purchase the annual policy after the 3rd day past the annual dues payment date, I believe as long as you had the medical condition before the 60 days and it is stable and you are on medicine that has not changed the exclusion would not apply. But do not rely on my comment. Instead contact Travelex for the official policy rules regarding medical conditions or member services as indicated in the policy:
PRE-EXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION WAIVER: The pre-existing condition exclusion is waived if the plan was purchased within 3 days of your payment on Maintenance charges. Please contact Member Services for further clarification.