Trip Insurance Options

[mapsd]

I know this has been discussed previously, but wondering if there's a strong recommendation for a trip insurance carrier?

We're using points for our airfare and adding pre- & post-days to our ABD Germany trip, so I'm guessing the ABD policy isn't my best option.

 

[TXTransplant]

I used Insure my Trip. The website allows you to put in a bunch of criteria and then select from multiple policies that meet or exceed your requirements. The selection of policies/options is very comprehensive. I had no problems at all getting a policy and was satisfied with the policy for the price (it was much cheaper than ABD). I didn't have to make a claim, though, so I can't speak to that.

 

[sayhello]

I second the use of Insure My Trip. Excellent website! I've personally used Travelex, among others, and have made a claim with them which was easily and relatively quickly resolved. I find that their coverage is a nice middle-of-the-road coverage that isn't too expensive, but covers a lot of what I want.

Note that most trip insurance won't cover the value of points-reward airline tickets. Some will cover the charge the airline will charge to "re-bank" the points, but that's generally about it.

ABD is always changing their policies, it seems, but last I heard, they covered your flights if you fly to and from the start/end points of the ABD. But they won't cover the pre-/post-days you book yourself. (And again, they won't cover the value of the points, but if you have other claims - lost luggage, trip interruption, etc, they should cover that.) I'd always check with ABD or your TA before deciding on ABD's policy.

Sayhello

 

[anonymousegirl]

Also, if you are looking into insuring the trip against cancellation, be aware that only certain instances qualify for trip cancellation. Jury duty, home becomes uninhabitable (fire, flood etc), or accident or illness of traveler is typically covered. But if Disney decides to cancel the trip, you would not usually be covered.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Another recommendation for insure my trip. As others have mentioned they give you various options for price and coverage, then you select the one that best suits your needs and budget.

I've also read that American Express Platinum card covers trip insurance. I did have a claim for stolen luggage with AmEx and they were easy to deal with. I had the check within 4 weeks of the incident (whereas Delta Airlines, the carrier, took several months to pay the claim and they didn't cover as much as AmEx). Wanted to add that my luggage was stolen in the US and I don't typically purchase insurance for domestic travel -- just international. For AmEx Platinum card coverage to kick in you have to purchase the trip with the card. I am going to look into the international coverage they provide for medical, trip delay / cancellation, etc.

 

[Alacrity]

https://www.squaremouth.com/ is another trip insurance search engine. And as others have stated, read the details of the coverage closely. Unless you pay (sometimes a lot) for a "cancel for any reason" option, you may not be covered in all cases. And do check you CC details for possible coverage. A number can kick in for travel delays too.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I used to recommend Travelguard, but after making a recent claim for just over $100 (less than I paid for the insurance), they have given me such an enormous hassle that I will think twice before using them again. I have a relative who used to be happy with them because they handled claims quickly, but says they now draw out the process and demand the most obscure documentation.

 

[kristilew]

I used tripinsurancestore dot com for our upcoming Tauck river cruise. I had a lot of questions, and someone called me within half an hour of my filling out an inquiry online. I wanted a real person to walk me through all the possible scenarios, and I needed to get door-to-door, cancel for any reason coverage that allowed for a preexisting medical condition. (Something Tauck's insurance excluded, not so sure about Disney's b/c DD didn't have her condition when we did our ABDs)

The phone conversation was so helpful, he did not try to up sell me, and he found me just the right insurance at a very good price. I also like that I pay for the coverage as I add expenses (we haven't booked our airfare or made final payment yet, so I have only paid to cover my deposit so far) but the quote is for the whole thing, so I know exactly what it will cost but am not risking more than I have to at any time.

Praying we won't need to make a claim, but at least I feel like I've covered my bases.