Trip insurance recommendations?

[mefordis]

We are planning a trip to Hawaii and it is the most expensive vacation I've ever planned. Trip insurance will be a must. One resort has a cancellation policy of 14 days before check in or lose the entire amount of the stay - several thousands of dollars. The plane tickets alone were ridiculous $$$.

Can anyone recommend reliable trip insurance?

Thanks!

 

[mjkacmom]

I’ve found insurance using insure my trip.com

 

[_19disnA]

Always read the fine print to see what you are actually buying and what specific situations it covers. Too many seem to assume 'insurance' will always get you a refund regardless of the reason and that is not true. Have never purchased travel insurance. One time we actually couldn't travel since our home had storm damage. Called the airline and even though the tickets were non-refundable/non-transferable they worked with us to allow for travel on a future date for no extra charge. They tend to not advertise those policies but that is different from just changing your mind and deciding not to travel.

 

[mjkacmom]

Always read the fine print to see what you are actually buying and what specific situations it covers. Too many seem to assume 'insurance' will always get you a refund regardless of the reason and that is not true. Have never purchased travel insurance. One time we actually couldn't travel since our home had storm damage. Called the airline and even though the tickets were non-refundable/non-transferable they worked with us to allow for travel on a future date for no extra charge. They tend to not advertise those policies but that is different from just changing your mind and deciding not to travel.

And there are some industries, like cruises, where if your home gets destroyed by a hurricane, you break your legs, your child dies, you die, and they will not refund anything but port taxes and fees after the reservation becomes non-refundable, around 60 days before sailing. I don’t think the OP should gamble on this (and before Covid, United airlines didn’t give credits, still don’t with basic economy).

 

[MillauFr]

Avoid any insurance company that gives to a 20+ page document describing the insurance. There is no way a normal person can understand those making it impossible to know what you are covered for.

 

[DLgal]

We have used Travel Guard in the past and ALWAYS paid extra for the "cancel for any reason" coverage due to being military and having absolutely nothing ever be guaranteed.

We now just book all our travel through Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card which includes some pretty comprehensive travel insurance.

 

[mefordis]

We have used Travel Guard in the past and ALWAYS paid extra for the "cancel for any reason" coverage due to being military and having absolutely nothing ever be guaranteed.

We now just book all our travel through Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card which includes some pretty comprehensive travel insurance.

Dang. We have that card but didn't use it! I did use Chase Sapphire Preferred for booking our resort. I'll have to check on the travel insurance situation for that card. Thanks!

 

[Mango7100]

We have purchased Allianz a few times before— they have a pre existing health condition policy. When you read the fine print of some insurance policies they won’t cover cancelling for any pre existing medical condition and the definition of pre-existing is pretty broad ( like you take a prescription or have seen a doctor for it within the last month). We did have to use it when we cancelled a trip to Portugal due to my grandmother dying 2 days before.