To Insurance or Not - Your Thoughts?

[Braque]

Hi -

I was just reading the post on DC ressies and how the insurance on rooms or packages may not be specifically asked or stated as included at $29.95/person.

When traveling with little kids, do you recommend getting the insurance? When booking rooms only - does this make a difference in deciding if insurance is worth it?

I would be interested in everyone's comments on this topic.

 

[AngieIL]

Well, if you had asked me this before last week, I would have said "no way am I paying for insurance." However, I was due to leave on 2/8 with my mother and my three kids. A few days before the trip, my mother came down with the most horrendous stomach virus. There was no way that she could have traveled. We did not have five days notice, and we did not have trip insurance. Everyone to whom I spoke was very friendly and helpful, but I knew about the cancellation policies when I booked the trip, so I was totally at their mercy. It worked out fine for me in the end, but it could have been a real mess and huge financial loss. Next time I'll pay for insurance.

 

[athurstance]

Insurance always seems expensive until you need it. We moaned about travel insurance for years until my son fell and smashed his nose while we were in Gran Canaria. We had to have a doctor open up his clinic at midnight, several x-rays, check-ups etc. We signed the bill over to the insurance company - over £2000. We saved all the insurance premiums we'd ever paid in one go.
The expense can be far worse too - a friend of mine's daughter was rushed to hospital with appendicitis on the second day of their holiday in Orlando. Due to complications they had to be flown back to the UK early in an air ambulance. I can't imagine what the bill for that would be if you didn't have insurance.

Oct/Nov 1987 Travelodge Maingate East (WDW)
1991 Anaheim (DL)
1993 Camp Davey Crockett (DLP)
1995 Hotel Cheyenne (DLP)
1996 Sequoia Lodge (DLP)
Oct 1997 Esprit Villa(WDW)
Mar 2000 Esprit Villa(WDW)
Feb 2001 Esprit Villa(WDW)
Dec 2001/Jan 2002 Esprit Villa (WDW)

 

[pdzabe]

I made my own flight, hotel, car, etc. arrangements for our WDW trip. What company would give me insurance for our trip if you know of any?

 

[robinb]

I've heard that some policies do not cover all reasons for not making your vacation. Make sure that you understand exactly what is and is not covered before you buy it.


-- Robin

 

[Thmacs]

My BIL just had a horrible experience with AAA he had booked through AAA so trip insurance was part of the package.. My FIL passed away 4 days before his combo WDW/Cruise trip. A 7000$ trip for his family of 4. He got all the documents requested by the insurance agent he spoke with including a death certificate. He was assured there would be no problem with his claim and he would receive a full refund except for 250$. He heard nothing for 6 weeks.He had to write numerous letters, he was asked to get a letter form my FIL'doctor stating he (my BIL)had no prior knowledeg of his illness. It was a very sad time for his family and the insurance company did everything they could to make receiving a refund dificult. Now this has completly soured them on ever taking a WDW vacation. They finally received a refund less the 250 deductable last week. 31/2 months later. I am trying to talk them into giving WDW another try. While they were releived to finally receive a refund, it seems to me that the insurance company did evreything in their power to make a legitimate claim seem unreasnable and made them feel as if they were trying to commit some kind of insurance fraud.