Trip Insurance for travel to Caribbean - hurricanes

[kermit116]

I am looking into buying a trip insurance plan to cover a trip we just booked to go to the Caribbean during hurricane season. I normally don't buy trip insurance, but since this trip will be in the middle of hurricane season and we will have to prepay about a month before we leave, I want to make sure we don't loose all our money if the trip is canceled due to weather.

We booked the trip through Costco, and Costco offers coverage for $64 through the Travel Guard Trip Protection Plan. I reviewed the exclusions, and it looks like hurricanes and other natural disasters are covered and the plan will reimburse us for nearly the entire cost of our package if there is a delay of more than 5 hours on our flights, and there's a 100% reimbursement if the trip is "interrupted" or cancelled.

Has anyone ever used this trip insurance before? It seems relatively inexpensive, so I'm mostly concerned with weather this plan would actually refund our money if needed, or if I'd spend the next 6 months after our lost trip battling the insurance company over a hurricane.

Advice on this trip insurance or any others would be great.

 

[rockyroad]

This is how I look at trip insurance when I or my kids are going to be outside of the country.

I don't want to lose my trip for sure, but I can afford to take the trip.

But if there is an illness or accident outside the country there is a good chance that your health insurance will not pay.

There is also the possibility of the need for an air ambulance to get you back home. And that can cost as much as a house.

So, get the insurance for health reasons and the rest comes with it, usually anyway.

I have bought it from tripinsurancestore several times.
Fortunately I have not had to use it.
But on the web site there is a phone number for tripinsurancestore and you can call and talk to an actual english speaking in the USA person.
They can answer questions and do the whole deal on the phone.
And you can call back and talk to the same person again.

I just like being able to talk to a real person, you know?

 

[msmayor]

Be certain you understand what being covered for a 'hurricane' means.

Some companies may only reimburse if there is a direct-hit predicted, and if hotel/airlines are offering refunds (they often do, allowing you to reschedule or cancel with no penalty) you will have to get your money back from them...the insurance won't automatically pay until other avenues are exhausted.

 

[armone]

We do insurance anytime we feel we can't afford to cancel. Just a FYI: if you are DVC you can book insurance annually cheap (I believe less than $80 a year) and it will cover air and vacation points for any vacation you use your points for!!! Read your policy and make sure it covers what you may worry about: hurricaines, health problems, medical evacuation, sudden loss of employment, etc. You can insure for anything, but you have to consider the premiums.

 

[sallysue66]

i recently bought trip insurance through insuremytripdotcom. they have a "compare" feature that puts different policies side by side so it's easier to see the difference in coverage. i wanted a policy that not only covered the trip but emergency medical transport too. i bought for a cruise and the site was highly recommended by users on cruisecritic (disboards for cruising).

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

I have used Vanguard before. Never had to file a claim but it did give me peace of mind. My TA recommended them. The rates are based off of your age.

I have also used insure my trip.

 

[shortbun]

Insurances are different and may not offer the coverage you hope you are getting. Read the small print and compare other policies. I reently found a policy that covered 'school calendar changes'. We always go in early June so IF we have too many snow days, our vacaation is in trouble...unless I have insurance that covers "school calendar changes." Be sure you find out what the illness requirements for cancelling are. Be sure you find out what damages must be done by a hurricane before your insurance covers you. Does the cruise line have to officially cancel? Do your ports have to be destroyed or can you cancel if a hurricane is imminent but not yet hitting the area? Lots and lots of if, ands or buts...read the small print.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I sell Travel Guard to my clients all the time and find them to be excellent. I just had to initiate a claim yesterday (non weather related) for someone and the customer service is great.

Travel Guard sells different levels of policies. You may want to compare them to make sure you are getting the best one that suits your family.