Trip Insurance - Is it for me?

[Mark Cameron]

I apologize but I cannot find the information I am needing so I am making a new post.

So I am trying to get information from my travel agent and I'm just fed up. I will never use her again but she is a family friend with a small business. But I have texted her and emailed her several times about the trip insurance and if I should get it. She usually just says it is on her list to get back to me about. Today, she emailed me back and said, "I will have an answer and price for you by the end of the day," but I never got an email back!
What I need to know if if the trip insurance is worth it for us. It's my wife and I plus my 4 year old son. None of us have any pre existing illnesses and are generally healthy. We are driving down and it's only about a 6 hour trip from Georgia. We just are concerned about the what ifs.
Also, if my travel agent has set up my reservation can I add the trip insurance and do I have to get the Disney insurance or can I go through other companies.

Thanks in advance! Mark

 

[happymommy]

The only trips I buy trip insurance for are ones that are totally prepaid (our cruise, plus the trips we've done to all inclusive resorts in Mexico which were packages through Southwest Vacations, including airfare and Disney packages including free dining I think I may have bought insurance for).

I've never bought insurance for a Disney trip that's room only.

That being said, you don't need a travel agent to look into that it at all. I just use Travelguard insurance, which can be purchased online. I don't use a travel agent for anything ever anyway.

 

[Mark Cameron]

Thank you for the information. I do have a package with Room, tickets and the dining plan. I will look into TravelGuard.

 

[rwdavis2]

Thank you for the information. I do have a package with Room, tickets and the dining plan. I will look into TravelGuard.

We always buy Travelguard. We successfully used it in the past. Make sure you read the conditions. They are laid out, IMHO, clearly. You can buy several levels of coverage. If I were driving and have no medical issues, personally, I would not bother.

 

[Mark Cameron]

Maybe I don't understand the cancellation policy at Disney. If we are driving down and, heaven forbid, we get in a wreck or something and can't make it within 24 hours of check in, don't I lose all the money paid for the trip?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would say it also depends on your dates. During hurricane season, insurance may also help with alternative transport and other issues.

 

[rwdavis2]

Maybe I don't understand the cancellation policy at Disney. If we are driving down and, heaven forbid, we get in a wreck or something and can't make it within 24 hours of check in, don't I lose all the money paid for the trip?

Buy the insurance then but make sure of what it covers. Travelguard does has various restrictions based on when you booked vs. when you buy it. For our various WDW visits it usually runs roughly $150 and we always fly.

Given your scenario it covers medical expenses and evacuation.

 

[Mark Cameron]

So I called the Disney reservation line this morning and found out that since my trip is already paid in full that I could not add the insurance that Disney offers. I sure wish my travel agent had told me that information when she made my final payment a month ago. So I called that insure my trip company and they have a plan from IMG that sounds pretty good and it’s only $81 for me and my wife and son. Sounds great but I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about IMG? The TravelGuard plan is $117.

 

[china mom]

Travel Insurance through the Disney Travel Company (insurance company is Travelex) costs $77.50 per adult on the reservation. Your family would pay $155. I would have to be added by your travel agent.

As mentioned above, you can purchase your own insurance through any other company.

I never purchase travel insurance for myself or my family because we are usually room only and have no travel expense.

I did have a client recently who opted out of the Disney insurance and then his FIL died back home while they were in Disney. I called Disney on his behalf and they offered to forgive his room charges for the rest of the trip but he would lose the unused portion of his tickets (no meal plan). Under the Travelex insurance, he would have received trip interruption coverage for unused portion of the trip and the additional airfare incurred.

I usually recommend insurance for my clients who are flying to Disney and/or have very expensive packages.

 

[Mark Cameron]

Travel Insurance through the Disney Travel Company (insurance company is Travelex) costs $77.50 per adult on the reservation. Your family would pay $155. I would have to be added by your travel agent.

As mentioned above, you can purchase your own insurance through any other company.

I never purchase travel insurance for myself or my family because we are usually room only and have no travel expense.

I did have a client recently who opted out of the Disney insurance and then his FIL died back home while they were in Disney. I called Disney on his behalf and they offered to forgive his room charges for the rest of the trip but he would lose the unused portion of his tickets (no meal plan). Under the Travelex insurance, he would have received trip interruption coverage for unused portion of the trip and the additional airfare incurred.

I usually recommend insurance for my clients who are flying to Disney and/or have very expensive packages.

Well if you noticed my original post my travel agent doesn't seem to be as good as you. I would be in trouble if I had to rely on her to do something like for me I'm afraid. So are you saying that even after my trip is paid in full she can still add the trip insurance? I just can't do it myself?

 

[china mom]

Travelex has to be purchased before before the final payment is due or it cannot be added. This means 30 days prior to travel. Now, in my initial training, they said it had to be purchased before the final payment is actually been made which I interpret as if you pay off your trip early, you would not be able to add travel insurance. That has never made sense to me since you can cancel your trip without penalty up until the due date, even if paid I full already.

I have never had this scenario come up with a client since we always make the decision well before that.

Does your agent specialize in Disney travel? I find it hard to believe that she is having trouble getting you a price since the cost is right there on the front page of the booking module.

 

[starry_solo]

When is your trip?

 

[Mark Cameron]

Travelex has to be purchased before before the final payment is due or it cannot be added. This means 30 days prior to travel. Now, in my initial training, they said it had to be purchased before the final payment is actually been made which I interpret as if you pay off your trip early, you would not be able to add travel insurance. That has never made sense to me since you can cancel your trip without penalty up until the due date, even if paid I full already.

I have never had this scenario come up with a client since we always make the decision well before that.

Does your agent specialize in Disney travel? I find it hard to believe that she is having trouble getting you a price since the cost is right there on the front page of the booking module.

Yes she specializes in Disney travel. She is a great person and a personal friend but she has told me she was going to get back to me several times and she never has. I feel like I have to keep begging to get her to help and I feel like I am nagging her. She is having some family issues so I have been trying to be understanding and patient. I would just rather her tell me to call myself rather than say I will get back with you today and I never hear from her.

It doesn't make sense that you can't add the Travelex insurance after it being paid in full. That would almost seem like Disney wants you to wait to pay it.

 

[Mark Cameron]

When is your trip?

The first week in February.

 

[starry_solo]

google travel insurance and there should be some good resources as far as one place to get you a quote from various sources will help you find the best insurance for you

I have no idea how much you spent on your trip, but if it's something that you cannot afford to lose if something happens to you or your family, you should definitely get it.

and next time, unless it's "free" dining (which isn't really free at all), buy each component separately.

 

[Mark Cameron]

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely be more prepared when booking my next trip. I have done a ton of research for this trip so I feel like I would be ok setting it all up on my own. Only thing my agent has done for me was set up my MDE account, configure my magic bands(both of which were done the first night we met with her) and took payments from me.

I think I am going to go with the IMG plan. It looks like it will cover all I need. I did talk to the customer service at the insure my trip website and they were very helpful. And $81 is hard to beat.

 

[china mom]

It doesn't make sense that you can't add the Travelex insurance after it being paid in full. That would almost seem like Disney wants you to wait to pay it.

That is how it was explained to us in training but maybe they meant that you can't add it "once the final payment due date passes" rather than actually "paid in full" since that date is all in the same for all but a small percentage.

If it ever comes up for a client, I will surely look into it but since it hasn't, I have never asked for clarification.

 

[rwdavis2]

Read the details of each plan if you need to narrow it down. I would not rely on people's recommendations without doing my own research. TravelGuard is pretty clear.

 

[bumbershoot]

Maybe I don't understand the cancellation policy at Disney. If we are driving down and, heaven forbid, we get in a wreck or something and can't make it within 24 hours of check in, don't I lose all the money paid for the trip?

If you’ll still make it, just keep in touch with Disney and let them know your travel has been delayed. They are a travel company. They understand delays.

If you can’t make it at all, many people call and change the dates. There might be a change fee, but it keeps the cancellation from happening.

And Disney is very understanding of accidents, etc.


Honestly I would never use a TA for a Wdw trip unless I’m getting something financial out of it. It just adds a layer of complication.

And given how understanding Disney tends to be about changes, I can’t understand trip insurance for an uncomplicated trip like yours at all.

But if you’re going to get it, get the 3rd party. Disney insurance is more expensive and gives you less.

 

[GMG_3]

We purchased insurance for our trip two years ago. Snowed 16+ inches back home two days before our flight back.
Ended up being snowed in Orlando for an extra 3 days. Insurance covered the 3 Nights in the room, food (QS meals), and we covered the extra days in the park. I enjoyed it nicely