EDITED FOR INSURANCE PAYOUT 7/20/25: IMPORTANCE OF BUYING TRAVEL INSURANCE

[MICKIMINI]

Edit: After our son and DIL submitted their insurance claim, they received a full refund of about 12K for their flights, tours and hotels. They also received a full refund for their international flights for Grandfather's funeral. AA had provided a $1400 PP credit for the NY-London and Dublin-NY RT tickets which they showed to the insurance company. Apparently, their credits are still theirs and they are planning a spring trip with a similar itinerary. $200 PP for travel insurance paid off!

Our son and DIL flew 3000 miles to NYC two days ago to pick up Mom and a friend heading to GB, Scotland and Ireland. They received a call last night that an elderly grandfather passed - in another country. We got a call early this morning that they were at JFK flying out for the funeral. Thankfully, they were all able to visit last month when he was still alive. They bought travel insurance and have (mostly) been able to cancel and get refunded for their hotels, tours and flights. Anything else will get sent to the travel insurance company for reimbursement.

A half hour ago, we received a call from the west coast that a cousin of DH's had passed overnight. You can't make this up.

I just thought I would post this as it is so easy to think nothing will happen until it does.

 

[Sandisw]

I am sorry for the losses for your family.

Thank you for sharing and I always recommend travel insurance!!!! Especially for things like cruises and out of the country trips!!

It is worth the cost!!

 

[MyDogTink]

That’s a rough stretch. GL to your family.

I’ve used travel insurance a number of times. A few times for cruises and once for a Disney trip. I’m a believer. Thanks for reminding us of its importance.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I am sorry for the losses for your family.

Thank you for sharing and I always recommend travel insurance!!!! Especially for things like cruises and out of the country trips!!

It is worth the cost!!

Thank you Sandi!

 

[MICKIMINI]

That’s a rough stretch. GL to your family.

I’ve used travel insurance a number of times. A few times for cruises and once for a Disney trip. I’m a believer. Thanks for reminding us of its importance.

Thanks so much!

 

[Steelers0854]

In addition, a high limit credit card with no balance. My brother was traveling with his wife and in-laws on a cruise when his MIL had an unexpected medical emergency. She was in the Medical unit for 3 days before they made land and could transfer her. Before disembarking they kindly asked he pay $54,000. Many people don’t realize that most travel insurance is secondary, and even if you do have primary coverage the entity may still make you pay upfront and request reimbursement later. This also holds true in foreign countries aside from onboard cruise ships.

 

[MICKIMINI]

In addition, a high limit credit card with no balance. My brother was traveling with his wife and in-laws on a cruise when his MIL had an unexpected medical emergency. She was in the Medical unit for 3 days before they made land and could transfer her. Before disembarking they kindly asked he pay $54,000. Many people don’t realize that most travel insurance is secondary, and even if you do have primary coverage the entity may still make you pay upfront and request reimbursement later. This also holds true in foreign countries aside from onboard cruise ships.

OMG! I would say most people would be unprepared for that issue. As it is, DIL and son travel with AMEX Platinum and don't have a limit. They had to turn on a dime this morning and basically fund another international trip, hoping the insurance would cover. You never know!

 

[Chuck S]

For me, it depends upon the price of the trip, as even most domestic "non-refundable fares will give you a credit for the amount paid for a future flight. But anything like a cruise, or foreign travel, I absolutely buy travel insurance.

 

[J-Dog]

In addition, a high limit credit card with no balance. My brother was traveling with his wife and in-laws on a cruise when his MIL had an unexpected medical emergency. She was in the Medical unit for 3 days before they made land and could transfer her. Before disembarking they kindly asked he pay $54,000. Many people don’t realize that most travel insurance is secondary, and even if you do have primary coverage the entity may still make you pay upfront and request reimbursement later. This also holds true in foreign countries aside from onboard cruise ships.

What would have happened if they didn't/couldn't pay? I have a few high-end travel credit cards with annual fees, but none of them come anywhere close to that kind of credit limit.

 

[J-Dog]

For me, it depends upon the price of the trip, as even most domestic "non-refundable fares will give you a credit for the amount paid for a future flight. But anything like a cruise, or foreign travel, I absolutely buy travel insurance.

I totally agree. For domestic travel, I personally don't think that travel insurance is worth it, especially if you travel often. The insurance premiums add up over time and now-a-days, most expenses are refundable or at least (in the case of WDW tickets, airfare, etc) reusable. Of course, international travel is a different animal.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I ended up purchasing an annual policy for my husband and myself. I figured it was easier than buying for each flight, cruise, etc. Hopefully, we don't have to use it. We've both had to cancel cruises last minute for medical reasons in the past. It helps with the money, but not with the disappointment.

 

[Steelers0854]

What would have happened if they didn't/couldn't pay? I have a few high-end travel credit cards with annual fees, but none of them come anywhere close to that kind of credit limit.

I have no idea, my guess is they would charge the entire amount to the credit card on file for the cruise until it maxed out and then send a bill for the rest? Probably send you to collections without payment after a certain period of time.

 

[J-Dog]

I have no idea, my guess is they would charge the entire amount to the credit card on file for the cruise until it maxed out and then send a bill for the rest? Probably send you to collections without payment after a certain period of time.

That makes sense. But since cruise companies are mostly international, I think, then my guess is that it's like getting a parking ticket in another state - they can threaten you, but don't have any way to actually make you pay it. Not that I'm condoning not paying your bills, but that seems crazy to demand payment in those amounts immediately. The vast majority of people (or at least, the vast majority of people that I know) could never pay that outright.

 

[Toolulu22]

For me, it depends upon the price of the trip, as even most domestic "non-refundable fares will give you a credit for the amount paid for a future flight. But anything like a cruise, or foreign travel, I absolutely buy travel insurance.

I agree. Especially pre- pandemic and when we were younger, relatives younger and healthier, and trips were less costly- we tended to pass on trip insurance. Now, we typically opt for insurance unless we’re doing a short trip.

As with your family OP, we’ve learned that anything can happen. I’m sorry for the double whammie.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I agree. Especially pre- pandemic and when we were younger, relatives younger and healthier, and trips were less costly- we tended to pass on trip insurance. Now, we typically opt for insurance unless we’re doing a short trip.

As with your family OP, we’ve learned that anything can happen. I’m sorry for the double whammie.

Thank you!