Trip Insurance: Who purchases it?

[Kapp]

We have never purchased this before (either with Disney or for other vacations) due to the expense and that I always read in the consumer books/articles that trip insurance is a waste.I am starting to see more of this even with independent resorts/condos so it appears to be a trend.

Just curious as to what Disney folks think.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[Linda T.]

We always purchase it when going to Disney. My father had a medical condition and my mother always went with us to Disney, so in case he ever got really sick, we could cancel our trip. We did use the insurance one time, and I am so happy we had it.
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1979 - Offsite
1995 - CBR
1997 - CBR
1999 - POR
2003 - CBR
2005 - CBR (June 22nd thru June 30th)

 

[janets]

since we have travelled with our children. I've heard of too many stories where a child got sick just before a trip and it had to be cancelled, or got sick on the vacation and it had to be cut short.

I make sure I only purchase it for the non refundable portion of my trip. For our trip in December, I didn't include the price of my park tickets, since I knew that if something happened, they were good indefinitely so I'd use them for another trip. I cover our airfare and accomodations so the cost is usually a bit lower.

 

[mlwear]

I did, but was reluctant. I went through AAA booked the package and flight at the same time, so the insurance was less (I guess??). We only had to pay for the adults and the kids were insured for free. It cost $90. I probably threw my money away. But, when spending between $5K-$6K and not being able to cancel without 45 days notice, I thought I should. I think ours really only covers death in the family or serious illness. I was hoping it would include hurricanes and military deployment (DH is in National Guard and you never know). I checked with our regular insurance carrier...it covered the military deployments unsure of hurricanes and the death and illness, but it was $200. After reading that Disney was really good during the hurricane season, I put that worry to rest.
I don't want to even discuss the tragedy of a death. But, it would be terrible to have someone get ill and just lose all that money. I would kick myself then for not spending the $90.

 

[TammySB]

This is our third trip and we have always bought the trip insurance. mu hubby is a police officer and with his line of work, you never know what can happen. Its a safety net that we use, and if you have small children you know how unpredictable they can be. One day there fine the next their sick. Its really up to you. Hope you have an enjoyable trip!!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I used to take a pass on it. But as the cost of a Disney vacation has increased, I started to purchase it. It is not that expensive when compared with everything else and it provides some peace of mind.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I got it once when planning a trip to Vegas. I'm glad, because I got pregnant unexpectedly and had to cancel the trip.

 

[wdwdavem]

We bought it for our August trip. HURRICANE SEASON need I say more

 

[Jeanne B]

We bought it for our cruise in January and got a $1000 check in the mail last month because we had weather delays both down and back which meant unexpected hotel stays, car rental, meals, etc...this was the first time we had bought it and I was VERY thankful!!

 

[blueeyez]

We bought it for our August trip. HURRICANE SEASON need I say more

Did you purchase it through Disney or someone else? Were you affected at all by the hurricane that the trip ins. actually was useful? If you did use it, what exactly did it cover?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm a worry-wart!

 

[LadyLuc361]

We bought it for our August trip. HURRICANE SEASON need I say more

I just booked for Aug 21st - Aug 28th and got the insurance for the same reason.

 

[Chicago526]

As a travel agent, I don't (usually, there are always exceptions!) recomend trip insurance for domestic travel. I do recomend it for internation trips, as most policies will cover medical expenses while on your trip. Most people's HMO's will NOT cover them outside the US/Canada so if you get sice or hurt overseas, or heaven forbid, need a hospital stay, it could cost you a TON of money. Of course you also get the trip cancelation insurance, so if Aunt Bea dies and you have to stay home for the funeral, you can cancel and get your money back.

For domestic travel, I'd get it only if it's a really expensive trip and/or you have a family member in bad health, and there is a possibility that you may have to cancel.

You can insure just your airline tickets, just the "land" portion of your trip, or the whole thing, so look at your overall travel picture and personal situation to decide what's right for you.

 

[DawnCt1]

I always buy if for a cruise because the entire cruise has to paid for within 60 days of travel and a last minute cancellation could result (will result) in the entire price of the cruise. The second reason is because we go to the Carribean and the last place I want to be hospitalized is in the Carribean so I buy a policy with good med evac coverage. Anyone, any age can have an accident and I want to be in an excellent hospital. I do not for Disney. Check out www.insuremytrip.com for a good comparison of what is available.

 

[Minnie1156]

I would not book a trip without it. I had to change my trip 3 times a few years ago because of weather and because of the insurance it did not cost me anything. It is not that much and it is worth it. You never know if you will have an emergency that changes your plans.

 

[Franniepoppins]

I recommend it, but you don't have to purchase it until just prior to your final payment. Prior to that, everything is refundable anyways, so you don't need the insurance. Now, if you want to insure your airfare, then you will have to purchase the insurance for that separate, unless you have a package with Disney that includes airfare. You can get travel insurance from other sources, besides Disney, and insure your airfare and trip together.

This is a good web site to compare insurance costs.
http://www.quotetravelinsurance.com/

Francine

 

[LglBlonde]

It was my understanding you could only lose $200 (cancellation w/in 5 days of trip) if you had to cancel. I'm thinking I'll risk loosing $200 if something bizarre happens, since the chances are small, instead of paying $89.

 

[Grammy]

After being on a cruise where a table-mate had to be airlifted off of the ship due to a medical problwm we have never cruised without it and we do at least consider it for each land vacation...it depends on the details if we buy it or not. On this cruise I mentioned we were seated at a table with 2 couples travelling together. One of the gentlemen was hurt on the boat and the ship's medical facility could not handle it so he had to be airlifted off of the ship to a hospital in Miami. The other couple at our table was this man's wife's sister (follow that? ) and her husband. The sister told us he was doing OK but that her sister was told it was a good thing they had the trip insurance b/c the airlift out would have been more than 4 times the cost of the trip itself had they not been covered. So we were guessing that was in the neighborhood of $10,000.

Our travel agent has always recommended the same thing Francine mentioned. That insurance can be added untill you make your final payment and if you cancel before final payment, it's fully refundable so don't insure till the last minute. The insurance fee is nonrefundable so ironically if you have it and have to cancel before final payment the only thing you DON'T get refunded is the insurance you bought to protect your "vacation investment!"

 

[LoriLea]

We purchased travel insurance for a cruise in March because we have elderly grandparents who have not been well and didn't know if we would have to cancel our trip. Thankfully everyone is still well.
Last week we received a cheque for our first 2 days as we missed the ship due to a 13 hour flight delay. Fortunately the airline flew us to our first port and put us up in an all-inclusive resort for 2 nights. My sister and her husband had their brand new digital camera stolen on this trip and were reimbursed through the travel insurance as well.
We will definitely buy travel insurance for our next Disney trip. You never know what will happen. It gives you some peace of mind when you're spending that much money.

 

[mlwear]

It was my understanding you could only lose $200 (cancellation w/in 5 days of trip) if you had to cancel. I'm thinking I'll risk loosing $200 if something bizarre happens, since the chances are small, instead of paying $89.

Glad you brought that up. My TA told me 45 days. Maybe it is because we bought a package??? Used AAA, which I guess basically goes through Disney. TA told me that hurricanes aren't covered, but I'm checking on that one myself.

I could have waited until the 45 day out mark as someone suggested, thus not losing the insurance fee if I would have to cancel. But, I was able to insure our airfare for free if I booked my flights with the package. I got a good deal on flights and wanted to lock it in. Otherwise, it would have been additonal $60 (I don't think I would have bought it separately, though.) Oh well, just hope I'm not a big sucker.

Curious about this five day topic.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Nope. Never have and probably won't in the future.

We've been to Disney during all types of weather, even through a hurricane and it was still one of the best trips I've ever been on.