DVC Trip Insurance

[Paula H]

I need some guidance, I think. We've traveled on points quite a bit and have never insured the points in the event we need to cancel last minute. However, the circumstances for our next vacation are different than usual - on two accounts. My mom has been quite sick, and although she's "holding her own" right now, we have no idea what her condition will be by the time our December trip comes. Also, since we've booked a Wonder cruise and when the 7 mo. window opens will be booking either BCV or BWV for the balance of the week, we will have borrowed our max. (obviously, we wouldn't want to risk losing THAT many!).

Do I understand correctly from the flier that came with our ressies that I can purchase insurance right up until the penalty for cancelling goes into effect? If so, I'm inclined to wait and just see how things are going. Also, can insurance be purchased at the same time for the portion of the cruise we paid cash for? And, is there another vendor who will insure points or is it more economical to insure for the cash value of the trip? Any thoughts would be great!

 

[CarolMN]

Don't know much about trip insurance, but I do know that many trip insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Be sure that you will be covered for your Mom's situation before you buy. Hope she gets better.

Best wishes -

 

[castleri]

Does anyone know under what circumstances the insurance pays? Have never used it and don't remember anything spelled out on the flyer - IE sickness, weather etc.? It sounds like if you can wait until close to trip time that might be the best way to go but I would still want to be very clear on what things they cover even at that point.

 

[barb45]

I don't think that pre-existing conditions refers to your relatives. That is for your medical coverage on trip insurance. Cancellation insurance is just for that reason - if your mother where to become seriously ill you can cancel the trip and so can your travel companions. You need to check all the fine details. There may be some better insurance options with other companies also. I bet some of the people on these boards know the best ones to choose.

 

[keishashadow]

Not sure about purchasing insurance on DVC points, but when paying cash, DCL and many other companies (see InsureMyTrip.com) offer both trip cancellation and trip interruption, some with emergency medical evacuation. DCL requires purchase of their insurance - through Access America I believe - before your final payment.

Several of the insurance companies listed on the above-referenced site will cover pre-existing conditions if you are stable for a few months prior. Be sure to check who they consider to be "immediate family members". Some of them included my elderly mother, some didn't.

Travelex/Travelite actually covered strikes or job loss, due to no fault of your own.

Lastly, some companies required that you purchase the insurance within 21 days of initial payment on cruise. Good luck.

 

[Paula H]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I was exactly clear in my initial post - my mother won't be traveling with us, so I wouldn't be insuring the trip in the event she becomes ill while traveling. I would need insurance in case we needed to make a last minute cancellation or needed to interrupt the trip to come home to be with her. Also, even the part of the trip we paid cash for, we paid directly to DVC, not to DCL. I will definitely check out insuremytrip.com. Thanks again.