"Lastly, can I just buy insurance to cover the deposit without covering the complete cost now?"
No, you have to insure full nonrefundable cost of trip.
This is not completely correct. With OYO insurance, you can usually just insure the deposit until PIF date. (As with everything, it does depend on the specific policy you purchase). At first, I only covered the deposit for my Rhone River cruise because I booked it a year and a half in advance, and didn't want to shell out hundreds of dollars that far in advance. You only have to cover the non-refundable portions of your trip, and until PIF, only the deposit is non-refundable. As I added on non-refundable items (like airfare, non-refundable tours) I called the insurance company and increased the amount covered, and paid the additional premium at that point. Once I PIF, I increased the coverage for the whole trip (except for refundable pieces). You can't do this with insurance you purchase through
ABD, but you absolutely can do this with most OYO insurance. Ask the OYO insurance company before you purchase if this is an option with them. You eventually have to insure the full nonrefundable cost of the trip, but not until you've actually paid for that part. If you cancel the trip for a covered reason before you PIF, all you're going to get reimbursed for is the nonrefundable part you've already paid. Not the full cost of the trip.
I had read this thread but thank you for your response. One big question is ABD or not.
I didn't know that if you go OYO you couldn't increase your coverage later. I've read posts from many people (
DCL) saying they start out just insuring their deposit and then add coverage as they pay more or wait until PIF and pay off the balance and up their insurance at that time. Guess that doesn't work for this kind of travel?
See my response to lovetotravel above. It *IS* possible. Just check with the OYO insurance company before you purchase to make *sure* it's an option for that policy.
One more question: Our trip is so far out, we haven't decided on a departure date. It will likely come down to flight availability. Can we insure the trip for a certain date and then adjust when we buy airline tix?
Yes, you absolutely can do this. Just call the insurance company, and ask them how to do it. Most just want an email stating you want them to change the date, what you want it changed to and that you didn't incur any penalties for changing the date and haven't filed any claims on the policy yet.
OK, I said one more question but then thought of a few more:
When I filled out the form for a quote, it said that coverage was "secondary". Secondary to what? I don't have other insurance, except what my cc might cover. How do I purchase primary coverage?
It means that you have to go through everybody else before they will cover your loss. Your personal insurance, the airline, ABD, whoever. Whatever those folks don't cover, the
travel insurance will then cover. It's a bit more of a hassle. If they are primary (which I always go for if I can) then you just go straight to them to cover a loss.
I don't see an option for "transferrable". How do I make sure this is included in my quote?
That's it for now
Ask the insurance company before you purchase the policy. You can always call them and ask, or call the broker, like
Insure my trip.
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