trip insurance -- what is covered?

[jlou]

Hi, I just reserved the Cities of Knights and Lights tour for next summer. (whhooooppeee!!!!!) But being the nervous person that I am, I'm worried about something. The agent automatically included the trip insurance in with the quote she gave me. I'm wondering if it's better to buy a different policy. I've never purchased trip insurance before, but for this, I feel it's a must. BUT, it sounded like some of the reasons for which I might have to cancel our trip, such as illness of a family member (father, who is not on our trip), is not a covered event. I'm confused as to what is included/covered. I asked if I was going to receive the policy before my 14 day limit to cancel is up, and the answer was no. She said "unforseen circumstances" and "medical reasons" were covered events. I think the "medical reasons" meant that if someone in your party were ill (not an extended family member).

Can someone tell me what is covered in the policy? For instance, if my daughter became ill, none of us would go on the trip, would that be covered?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[jlou]

ok, so I did some research..... (yes, I know, I should have done that before starting a thread, but maybe this will help someone else!)

I can't get it to paste nicely, but I went to AccessAmerica, which I think is the policy that ABD sells you, and below are the events that are covered for trip cancellation & interruption. There were several different types of policies, but the one that most closely matched the premium quoted by the ABD rep covered all the types of events listed below.

Makes me feel much better! Now I can get excited about my trip!!!

Benefit
Coverage Access America Basics Access America Basics Family Basics Access America Classic Without Trip Cancellation Access America Classic With Trip Cancellation Access America Deluxe Without Trip Cancellation Access America Deluxe With Trip Cancellation

Attending immediate family members birth X X X
Complete cessation of services X X
Complete cessation of services - FAA X X
Covered Travel Delay - loss of 50% X X
Death of Family Member X X X X
Death of Insured X X X X
Death of Traveling Companion X X X X
Destination uninhabitable X X
Employer Termination X X
Felonious Assault X X
Financial Default X X
Foreign and Domestic Terrorism X X X X
Hijacking X X X X
Home uninhabitable X X X X
Illness of Family Member X X X X
Illness of Insured X X X X
Illness of Traveling Companion X X X X
Injury of Family Member X X X X
Injury of Insured X X X X
Injury of Traveling Companion X X X X
Involved in a traffic accident X X
Jury/Subpoena X X X X
Legal separation or divorce X X
Loss of accommodations abroad X X
Military Obligations X X X
Normal Pregnancy X X X
Quarantine X X X X

 

[awatt]

You should know that with the Access America policy, preexisting medical conditions are not covered. With ABD/Access America, the insurance is not paid until you make final payment. Ordinarily this is a good thing, why pay for the insurance until final payment in case you change your plans. However, for preexisting conditions t o be covered, the insurance must be paid for within 14-15 days of deposit. So a preexisting condition won't be covered.

For many this is no big deal. I have a chronic illness, so it's a huge deal. Also, I inquired if this applies to family members. I was concerned as my father in law was quite sick about a month before our Italy trip (he was not going on the trip, but he was in very bad condition) ). I was told by AccessAmerica that if we had to cancel because of his illness, it would be covered so long as it was a new illness- not a preexisting one.

For our 2nd AND trip I got insurance independently, because I have some valid concerns about preexisting conditions.

 

[jlou]

yes, I see what you mean. I was wondering about that as well. I guess you can't say "I am paying this amount now for the insurance".

Thanks for your comment. We have a similar situation here as well, and I may just buy the insurance independently. I take it you can then just decline the coverage from AbD?

 

[jlou]

awatt,
can't thank you enough for reminding me about the pre-existing conditions clause.

I found a neat website called insuremytrip.com, where you can compare quotes from numerous companies. It's very helpful.

 

[awatt]

Yes you can get insurance independently and just make sure to cancel teh existing ABD insurance. I used Travelex Lite. Insuremytrip.com is an excellent site. Good luck!

 

[jenbadeaux]

If you book your flights through ABD, does the vacation insurance they offer cover the flight cost as well?

 

[jlou]

If you book your flights through ABD, does the vacation insurance they offer cover the flight cost as well?

the vacation insurance that you purchase through ABD covers your flights, even if you do not book your flights through them. (I asked them this very question today). You just have to tell them your plans. I will say that another thing I learned today is that if you plan to go earlier or stay later, and you do not have Disney plan your earlier or later days, then those days are NOT covered. The Disney trip insurance covers any vacations purchased by them, plus flights. This is another reason for me to buy the coverage elsewhere.

 

[jlou]

just bumping this thread.

 

[mrosen]

I found this thread helpful. Thanks.

 

[wdwsos]

You should know that with the Access America policy, preexisting medical conditions are not covered. With ABD/Access America, the insurance is not paid until you make final payment. Ordinarily this is a good thing, why pay for the insurance until final payment in case you change your plans. However, for preexisting conditions t o be covered, the insurance must be paid for within 14-15 days of deposit. So a preexisting condition won't be covered.

For many this is no big deal. I have a chronic illness, so it's a huge deal. Also, I inquired if this applies to family members. I was concerned as my father in law was quite sick about a month before our Italy trip (he was not going on the trip, but he was in very bad condition) ). I was told by AccessAmerica that if we had to cancel because of his illness, it would be covered so long as it was a new illness- not a preexisting one.

For our 2nd AND trip I got insurance independently, because I have some valid concerns about preexisting conditions.

Actually, you can call AbD and pay for the travel protection within 14 days of deposit, so that you'll be covered. I've done it for two clients just this week, one whose mom has a history of breast cancer. The date is noted and if there's a claim filed, the first thing Access America asks is the date the policy was paid. It's all noted on the reservation.

Travelex is great as well, but I just wanted to mention that Access America is definitely an option for those who have pre-existing conditions.

Dotti

 

[awatt]

When I called Accesamerica, the agent looked up the ABD policy and told me that because the insurance is not purchased (through ABD) until final payment, no preexisting condition could be covered. Perhaps she was misinformed.

 

[krdisneybound]

that is very true. I just added insurance to mine thru ABD and if you pay when you book, all pre-existing conditions are covered. Since I am still under a doctor's care, it was well worth it.

When I called Accesamerica, the agent looked up the ABD policy and told me that because the insurance is not purchased (through ABD) until final payment, no preexisting condition could be covered. Perhaps she was misinformed.