Let's talk travel insurance

[Kebby]

With tropical storm Eric's looming and is set to leave next Wednesday, I need some advice. We have an American Express card, which I know covers some expenses. But what else should I do to cover us should we get stuck somewhere? We are also dvc- should we add dvc insurance?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

With tropical storm Eric's looming and is set to leave next Wednesday, I need some advice. We have an American Express card, which I know covers some expenses. But what else should I do to cover us should we get stuck somewhere? We are also dvc- should we add dvc insurance?

It's too late to add travel insurance to cover an existing threat. But if you find you are going to miss one or more days of your DVC stay, call Member Services before your scheduled arrival date. Best case, they will give your points back. Worst case, they will put points for the missed nights in Holding.

With respect to your credit card, it is worth reviewing the terms and conditions in advance. You can probably find a copy of the coverage online or call Amex and ask them to send it to you. That way you will have a better understanding of what might be covered in the event of a cancellation, a delay or if your trip is interrupted. -- Suzanne

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

In the future, buy travel insurance as soon as you make your first trip payment. Update the insurance as you make other payments.

 

[JACKNAG]

are there good travel insurance companies ?

 

[Kebby]

Just booked the flight today- can I insure that?

 

[Jimsig]

are there good travel insurance companies ?

There are a number of insurance companies out there each with varying levels of coverage depending on your needs. Check out "insure my trip dot com", answer a few questions about the trip and they will give you quotes from a number of companies at different levels of coverage.

 

[Jimsig]

Just booked the flight today- can I insure that?

You sure can. Like my post above says, check out "insure my trip dot com". Enter how much you paid for the flights and they will give you a quote from different companies. I found the quote there cheaper the what the airline was going to charge.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Just booked the flight today- can I insure that?

Just be aware that even if you just booked your flight, delays, cancellations and interruptions from named hurricanes and tropical depressions won't be covered. These are not unforeseen events. https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/do-callers-think-we-were-born-yesterday/

If you are concerned and booked within the last 24 hours, you may still be able to cancel the flight without penalty. -- Suzanne

 

[Accident]

Put down the keyboard and call the airline? generally it's time sensitive for how much money you get back. Also if the storm does impact the flights and you didn't cancel, check their website like a hawk they will have a period where there is no penaties to change your flights and sometimes canceling or getting a voucher for a future flight instead is possible.

 

[rwdavis2]

We always use Travelguard. Our first time buying it we had to use it. Paid hospital co-pay, extra airfare, and hotel with not questions asked.

 

[bumbershoot]

Named storms won't be covered at this point, as Suzanne mentioned.

Here's an oldie-but-goodie type of thread to read. Since this is all imminent, be vigilant starting NOW.



For the future if you buy the DVC insurance... all you get back is your annual dues. You don't get the points back with the travel insurance they offer. And you pay per Use Year for the points you use. And I don't think pre-existing conditions are covered unless you buy the insurance at the time dues are due (if you pay in full). But I could be wrong on that last point.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

are there good travel insurance companies ?

Like the others I have used insuremytrip dot com. I have purchased travel guard, Allianze, and John Hancock for various rates that were better for the trips. Some had better emergency evacuation for our cruises, some had more favorable reimbursements or shorter times to file a claim for delay; such as 6 hour travel delay, 12 hr or 24 hours.

Or better amounts for lost/damaged luggage. The site allows you to compare about 4 at a time. Chose a fee and start comparing. The one thing I did find, if we were injured and needed followup care after the cruise was over, they did not pay. We had to use our private insurance.

Edited: I think the threat of Erika may just make rain, overcast and delay some flights out of Miami. Crossing fingers that it is pushed away by a weather system off the coast. I had friends in Disney during a major hurricane. They had a wash out day, but every other day was more favorable weather.

 

[JACKNAG]

Thank you for your suggestions