I filed a Travelex claim

[jekjones1558]

Periodically there are questions posted here about the DVC Travelex insurance. We have purchased it for years because we have considered it cheap insurance. We take multiple trips to WDW every year and always fly. Also, DH is 81 years old and has health issues. Trip insurance is usually based on age and there are often exclusions for pre-existing conditions. The definition of "pre-existing condition" can get dicey. For $89/year (formerly $79/year) we thought the Travelex was a bargain. We always buy it in December, so pre-existing condition restrictions are waived. And we always buy a year ahead in case we borrow points. But what happens when you file a claim?
Recently we had to cancel our December trip. DH was hospitalized and on IV antibiotics at home. Even after the IVs were finished the doctor felt that his health was not stable enough for travel. We were able to get our points back without restrictions. Disney was kind enough to refund Cirque tickets. We had rented a second room for our daughter from another DVC member and he refunded our money (totally unexpected and we will remember his kindness forever). But we had 2 first class airline tickets worth about $1300. Delta was willing to waive the penalty because we had medical records to show but the value of the 2 tickets needed to be used by August. We don't fly in the summer and we already have our March airfare purchased.
I contacted Travelex. I had a pretty easy form to complete. There was a fairly detailed form for the doctor, long enough that I was embarrassed to ask the doctor to complete it. But today we got a check for the full value of the 2 first class airline tickets! I am definitely a believer in Travelex!

 

[BillPA]

Thanks for the great info. I hope your DH is doing better.

 

[bumbershoot]

For some reason I thought it only covered the points! I didn't realize it would cover other travel expenses.

I hope your husband is feeling better now.

 

[AnnaS]

I hope your dh is feeling better.

Thank you for posting your experience and that it was a positive one. Good to know. We have purchased insurance also but have never had to use it. Happy about that.

 

[lisah0711]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! I hope that your husband is feeling much better and you will both be at WDW together very soon.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you for telling us! Your information is always appreciated. I was able to get a shower seat for use in our BWV 1 bedroom last week because you told me about their availability.

Bobbi

 

[Micca]

Point well taken! We've never purchased travel insurance, but your illustration makes it appear very worthwhile.

Hope your DH is back in the pink soon and you both can get back to WDW.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for letting us know how the insurance worked for you.

Keeping both of you in my prayers.

 

[Doug7856]

Wow, that's a great endorsement based on your experience. Very much appreciate your taking the time to share!

Our hope is that your husband recovers fully.

 

[dbs1228]

I agree thank you for sharing. I had purchased the insurance back in Aug for our Oct and Dec trips this year and realized it was probably not a good deal for us since I used 3 UY worth of points and my UY is Aug so if we did have to cancel we could use or rent our holding points for more then I would get from the insurance, we used my SW mileage for airfare and there was a pre existing condition. About a week after I had purchased the insurance I called back to see if I could cancel it - they were great about it canceled it right away and got a prompt refund. Travelex was very helpful and told me I had up to 21 days to cancel. Again thanks for sharing

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks to everyone for good wishes for my DH. After almost 2 months of ups and downs my DH is doing great. This will be an especially Merry Christmas at our house! May we ALL have a healthy 2015!

 

[jerseygal]

Continued good thoughts and Christmas Blessings for your DH and his continued good health!

We ALWAYS purchase travel insurance...You NEVER know and for us it gives us extra comfort. We have ELDERLY relatives and we cannot take a chance.
Also love the "trip interruption" feature that will kick in for a "covered" reason if trip is underway. I have been told by Travelex that Travelex will reimburse ALL PREPAID ITEMS if trip is cancelled or will pro-rate if interrupted.
Travelex has specifically told me that includes Disney Dining Plan and Disney Tickets and any NONREFUNDABLE prepaid items, such as special 2 Day ADR's or regular 1 Day ADR charges for no show.

Glad that you had a positive experience!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

WWYD? We are cruising on the dream Oct 1-4, 2015. We are staying DVC pre and post the cruise. Would it be cheaper to take out Travelex and chance the cruise? DCL insurance does not cover airfare. If you have to cancel for medical reasons they usually will let you take another cruise. I have not paid for that insurance yet.

Also one thing to consider is the emergency evacuation and healthcare coverage you get with DCL insurance that is not included with Travelex DVC coverage.

Why did you purchase in December?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks to everyone for good wishes for my DH. After almost 2 months of ups and downs my DH is doing great. This will be an especially Merry Christmas at our house! May we ALL have a healthy 2015!

Yeah!

 

[CarolMN]

WWYD? We are cruising on the dream Oct 1-4, 2015. We are staying DVC pre and post the cruise. Would it be cheaper to take out Travelex and chance the cruise? DCL insurance does not cover airfare. If you have to cancel for medical reasons they usually will let you take another cruise. I have not paid for that insurance yet.

Also one thing to consider is the emergency evacuation and healthcare coverage you get with DCL insurance that is not included with Travelex DVC coverage.

Why did you purchase in December?

I always get insurance to cover the medical risks when we travel out of the country. Even though the chances of something happening may be small, it could be very costly if something does. We can self-insure for the travel costs, but a serious medical issue or accident could bankrupt us. Insurance is more than worth the peace of mind for me.

You'll have to do your own risk assessment. Everyone has a different tolerance.

 

[Dean]

WWYD? We are cruising on the dream Oct 1-4, 2015. We are staying DVC pre and post the cruise. Would it be cheaper to take out Travelex and chance the cruise? DCL insurance does not cover airfare. If you have to cancel for medical reasons they usually will let you take another cruise. I have not paid for that insurance yet.

Also one thing to consider is the emergency evacuation and healthcare coverage you get with DCL insurance that is not included with Travelex DVC coverage.

Why did you purchase in December?

It depends on specifics but for most situations such insurance is not a reasonable value. You can cancel up until a certain date for DCL without penalty in most cases so you're only buying insurance for the reduced period. Generally travel insurance isn't a good idea but when the insurance provides coverage and you have a high risk situation, that can be an exception or if you can get one price and cover multiple trips as in the OP. It's a little like Title Insurance on a timeshare, relatively cheap but still costly compared to the actual benefit received with a few exceptions.

 

[jekjones1558]

When we cruised we always bought insurance through the cruise line or InsureMyTrip. As Carol says, the chance of needing medical evacuation is small but if something would happen it could be at least $25,000 to be evacuated. Also, some medical insurance does not cover you if you are out of the country. If you get hurt or seriously sick that could be tens of thousands of dollars also. As a PP stated, everyone's risk tolerance is different but I don't like to worry. You just never know. 3 years ago we were caught in the tsunami on The Big Island and our condo was flooded. What are the odds? I was very happy we had trip insurance.
I always buy the DVC insurance in December because if you buy it when Annual Dues are due then pre-existing conditions are waived. Insurance companies have convoluted rules about the definition of a pre-existing condition so paying when you pay for dues eliminates any questions about whether an illness on or before a trip is the result of a pre-existing condition.

 

[pachelbel9]

My SIL was on a cruise a few years ago and broke her leg. It was a convention/work related cruise, so there were a ton of medical personnel on board (she is a nurse). The ship's medical staff was laughable, didn't even correctly diagnose the break. When she got to the hospital at their port in Mexico, they took one look and decided to demand the travel insurance co. transport them to the states, which they did. In short, always get the insurance for cruises.

They bought the insurance because her partner has MS. They never expected that SIL would be the one using it. You just never know!