Travelguard

[DJHPMouse]

I would like some personal opinions on using Travelguard. Pros & Cons? We've booked 7 months out at Vero Beach and are considering doing the insurance. Is it hard to collect on? Are there a lot of "hidden" sections or is it pretty straight forward. Thanks for any advice.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I personally find travel insurance pretty pointless for domestic travel. It's not so much that it doesn't do what it advertises, but rather the risk is too low in terms of cash out-lay if you have to cancel. Insurance is designed to offset significant and catastrophic (financially and otherwise) risk. For most domestic travel, the risk level is too low and the financial outlay in terms of fees and cancellations are fairly small in comparison to the actual trip cost (ie. A trip to Disney may have flight change fees of $150 per person, but most other costs are refundable or can be recouped up until the day of arrival).

Now there could be some unique situations where it makes more sense to purchase, ie there is someone with no medical insurance (larger issue here too, but I digress) or you have an elderly traveler who has significant medical issues that may prevent travel.

There will be those that will chime in and say you never know what will happen, and that's correct, every day is a risk in life, and you must balance your risk tolerance to cost.

 

[JimMIA]

I've used TravelGuard numerous times, for international trips and ski trips, but never for DVC. On two occasions, family illnesses forced us to cancel trips to take care of in/out-laws (MIL broke her leg, FIL had heart issues). The claims process was very quick and easy, and I highly recommend Travel Guard.

Now, whether it's worthwhile for a DVC trip depends greatly on you. The devil is in the details, and as the previous poster suggested you really have to assess your risk of cancellation. If you are a DVC owner, Travel Guard will only reimburse $5 per point for points lost, I believe, but of course your other travel costs may be much greater than your DVC points. You just have to look at it and weigh your risk/reward vs. the cost of the insurance.

It's also very important to know what any trip insurance covers and what it doesn't, and especially what causes are covered. You have to know what you're buying. In both of our cases, our losses were fully covered even though neither relative was going with us, because we had to cancel to take care of them.

 

[okworbust]

Hello,

I have used Travelguard numerous times - mainly on out of the country trips, and on cruises. I have only had to make one claim (daughter needed to see Dr. on the Magic) and it was covered in full.

The only time I get travel insurance for domestic travel is when I am traveling between Dec. - March - since I live in New York you never know what you might wake up to in terms of snow and I feel safer knowing I have a backup plan in case we get snowed in somewhere or our flight is canceled.

Good Luck!

 

[jazzmanmgt]

Hi,
We have used Travelguard on several trips but never to WDW. We did have to make a claim for delayed luggage on a cruise from Vancouver,BC. They were very easy to work with and delivered as promised very promptly. They are my number 1 choice for cruise insurance as well as when we travel abroad.
Best of Luck.

 

[KENNYBOT]

I bought the insurance last year for peace of mind. I was surprised to find the value they place on the points is fairly low. I think it was around $7 per point if you need to make a claim. Ask them when you call. However they also insure your flights fairly inexpensively and at the time there was no charge for children's plane ticket coverage. In the end, its worth calling them with questions.