Travel Insurance

[mommy2_3]

How many of you get travel insurance? I wondering if we really do need it or if it would be ok not to get it. We will be driving down there (a 23hr drive, but we are stopping overnight) so before we go we are going to take our van in to make sure everything is good to go.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm not sure why you need travel insurance for a car trip?

 

[Pakey]

I agree, since Disney would refund almost everything if you couldn't go and you don't have airfare costs, why would you get travel insurance?

For us, we don't get it for domestic vacations but we always get it for our international vacations where airfare costs are signficantly higher.

 

[chris31997]

It depends on the risk of losing the trip. For us there was a potential for us to lose the trip plus we had airfare, we got insurance. We have skipped it when we have driven down for WDW and when we have done the cruise. It all depends on your risk.

 

[westonkamom]

There is really no need if you are driving. Disney will refund all but your $200 deposit if you don't show up. Insurance will likely cost right around that amount.

 

[TyTysMommy]

I have never purchased travel insurance in the 11 times I've flown to WDW. If you pay a few hundred dollars EVERY trip, that adds up. And you might need to cancel a trip once in 10 or 15 trips? Its not worth it to me. I'd rather save the insurance costs and take a chance on losing out on a room deposit and airfare. I guess it really depends on the health of your family too.

 

[SDSorority]

We have not purchased travel insurance before.

 

[furb & dez]

We only purchase insurance for international travel.

 

[Mickeyflower]

I didn't use to purchase travel insurance. However, in February of 2009, the day before I was to leave for my Disneyland vacation (also a driving vacation) my niece (see my signature) committed suicide. This was completely out of the blue. She was only 18, and had NEVER shown any signs of depression. Since I was the holder of all of the travel documents, I had to call Disney. They were very understanding and gave me a month to reschedule my trip for anytime without penalty or additional charges. HOWEVER, the person on the phone did tell me that had I not shown up, I would have lost out.

Now, I have been unable to travel since then (was laid off shortly after my nieces death and have not been able to find work yet), but when I do, I will most DEFINITELY be purchasing travel insurance. It's the kind of thin you hope you don't EVER have to use, but are glad it's there.

 

[Gigi22]

We always get travel insurance, but we have obtained a good rate for annual travel insurance through a retiree plan from our former employer. We used to buy travel insurance for each trip, but I hit my limit when we had to pay $900 for a 2 week trip--the insurance cost was based on the total value of the trip. Now we are insured for an entire year for 1/4 of the cost.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I didn't use to purchase travel insurance. However, in February of 2009, the day before I was to leave for my Disneyland vacation (also a driving vacation) my niece (see my signature) committed suicide. This was completely out of the blue. She was only 18, and had NEVER shown any signs of depression. Since I was the holder of all of the travel documents, I had to call Disney. They were very understanding and gave me a month to reschedule my trip for anytime without penalty or additional charges. HOWEVER, the person on the phone did tell me that had I not shown up, I would have lost out.

Now, I have been unable to travel since then (was laid off shortly after my nieces death and have not been able to find work yet), but when I do, I will most DEFINITELY be purchasing travel insurance. It's the kind of thin you hope you don't EVER have to use, but are glad it's there.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful niece!

For a car trip, I really do not see the need. However for any trip over 1500. which basically is every trip anywhere these days, We generally purchase it. Usually thru Insure my trip dot com. It is so inexpensive and can be purchased up till you leave for your trip..so its basically a no brainer for us.
Years ago, my dh had to cancel a trip, we got back thousands of dollars that would have otherwise been lost, and I mean thousands!!

 

[Jeff_G]

FYI The insurance not only covers you if you cancel the trip, but it covers if you have a medical issue, lost luggage, get sick and have to stay in the hotel…

Now I know it’s a gamble, however on the way home from our Disney trip my son suffered a seizure in the aircraft 1 hour out from our landing! Holly terror, my son had never had any indication of a seizure disorder before, this was just totally out of the blue. Luckily he was ok, but we ended up with an ambulance ride to an emergency room, an MRI, EEG, neurology consultant… even with good health insurance my out of pocket costs are about $1,000. Looks like the Disney insurance will be covering our out of pocket costs.

 

[jenny105]

I never purchase travel insurance. I'm sure one day that's going to come back to bite me in the butt but so far so good. I would purchase it if you were flying but since you're driving...I don't think you really need it.

 

[Mickeyflower]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful niece!

For a car trip, I really do not see the need. However for any trip over 1500. which basically is every trip anywhere these days, We generally purchase it. Usually thru Insure my trip dot com. It is so inexpensive and can be purchased up till you leave for your trip..so its basically a no brainer for us.
Years ago, my dh had to cancel a trip, we got back thousands of dollars that would have otherwise been lost, and I mean thousands!!

Thank you very much. for your kind words. I have told my AAA travel agent to use me as an example for people to ALWAYS purchase insurance.

 

[mommy2_3]

thanks everyone for all your replies! i guess me and hubby have some talking on what to do. our family is in good health and i doubt anything will happen but i really just dont want to take the chance KWIM? oh decisions, decisions!