Travel Insurance

[DerraZ]

We have been to WDW multiple times over the last 20 years, always in the Summer months. I have never purchased trip insurance. This year, we are going Thanksgiving week... we live in the Mid-West. Is it worth it? Specifically, if we get a winter storm that delays us for more than 24 hours and we lose our on 2 days or more, will we be refunded? If it doesn't work that way, I don't see the point. We travel more than an hour for flights...more like 3 hours. I almost think I would rather have the Memory Maker.

 

[fla4fun]

We have been to WDW multiple times over the last 20 years, always in the Summer months. I have never purchased trip insurance. This year, we are going Thanksgiving week... we live in the Mid-West. Is it worth it? Specifically, if we get a winter storm that delays us for more than 24 hours and we lose our on 2 days or more, will we be refunded? If it doesn't work that way, I don't see the point. We travel more than an hour for flights...more like 3 hours. I almost think I would rather have the Memory Maker.

You have to read carefully to see what is covered and what is not covered, as policies vary considerably. Some policies lean more towards trip interruption/cancellation and others more towards medical coverage. It sounds like you are looking more for the trip interruption/cancellation type policy. Travel insurance usually only covers prepaid expenses, so if much of your trip is refundable anyway, or you do not pay until check out, it may not cover what you need. Also, compare the cost of the insurance to the amount you would lose financially if the worst happened, to make sure you aren’t paying more for the coverage than what you would get out of it if you file a claim.

I usually only buy trip insurance for international trips, but a good place to start is insuremytrip.com so that you can compare many different companies policies at one time. After that, when you have narrowed down your choices, go directly to those insurance companies websites to check the coverage carefully before making a decision. The only way to know if trip insurance is a good idea for you is to put in the time doing the research.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Fangorn]

IMO, it's not worth it.

In the event of a disruptive storm, Disney will almost certainly waive any cancelation fees, and will work with you to adjust, reschedule or cancel your trip without penalty.
Likewise, most airlines will work to make accommodations under these situations. Airline policies differ. Worst case, you'll get airline credit if you have to cancel outright, but many airlines will do an actual refund for this type of disruption.

If a weather-related disruption were to occur, and you had to change or cancel your trip at the last minute, it's highly unlikely you'd lose and money because of it. It'll be a pain having to call and adjust/cancel stuff, but it shouldn't cost you anything.

Steve

 

[NYCgrrl]

Been buying travel insurance since my forties, whether domestic or international, if I’m 500 miles or more away from home. That’s the point in time it dawned on me that bad things could happen to good people . Agreed that you must read the policy to know what is covered and what is not. Often times your credit card will cover at least part of the components of your vacation so look to that as well. GL and have fun!

 

[redrosesix]

We always travel with trip interruption and cancellation insurance...we buy it as soon as we have our first non-refundable purchase so that everything is covered. We've traveled in winter a lot with our team and it saved us from sleeping on airport floors when one or more of our flights was delayed or canceled. imo it's cheap compared to what you would have to cover if you get stuck in transit going to or from your trip. Airlines don't have to put you up in a hotel or give you vouchers for food if the delays are caused by weather...if you want more options you need to cover yourself.

 

[Cynt]

We never purchased it until we started aging. Now we don't travel without it. We cruise frequently so it's a great reassurance for us. We are more concerned with medical in a foreign port. It's always good to have peace of mind in case of cancelations or inclement weather. We use insuremytrip.com as well.

Insurance is one of those things you don't need it until you need it.

 

[Marthasor]

WDW packages can be modified (not canceled) as long as you don't physically check into the resort. If you find yourself in a situation where your flight is delayed or cancelled, you can call WDTC (or your TA) and modify your dates and will not have to pay cancellation penalties. The downside is prevailing rates of your new dates will apply, so if you had a discount, you may not be able to retain it. Bigger concern might be not being able to get home and having to spend extra to pay for lodging for extra nights.

 

[_19disnA]

Have never purchased trip insurance. If there is something like a snowstorm, the airlines have various policies in place to deal with that issue. As someone else mentioned, read the fine print carefully to see what exactly any of those policies might cover, usually it does NOT cover everything. Companies selling insurance are a for-profit business who intend to pay out less than the costs they charge.

Many years ago we had some storm damage on our home shortly before a planned vacation. Called the airline and they were very agreeable to letting us change our plans even though we had the type of tickets that supposedly wouldn't allow that. I think they don't publicly advertise that, but having insurance in that example wouldn't have changed how things were handled.

 

[Keladry84]

I live in the midwest as well. I lost a day and a half of my trip start in March due to my flight being cancelled for weather (Thunderstorms). While it's not guaranteed, both Disney and Universal were awesome and either refunded or gave comp tickets for the night/day that was lost. Travel insurance might give a better piece of mind, but you might come out ok just by working with Disney if the need arises.