Trip Insurance

[forever 35]

Hi, I have a package with Disney trying to decide on purchasing trip insurance. Anyone have any recommendations? I am going in November worried about Hurricaines and hoping it will be to late in the season. Thanks!

 

[mking624]

I personally don't use it. We have travel insurance through our credit card and it's better than Disney's.

I wouldn't be too worried about hurricanes coming through in November. While it's still hurricane season...they're as likely to come through in November as they are in June...which means it's highly unlikely. Also, Disney has a policy that if there is a hurricane warning within 7 days of the date of your arrival, you can cancel/postpone the trip without any penalty.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I bought trip insurance this year and last year, but we are going in August. I didn't get it through disney. There is a link from mousesavers and I got a much better policy and a better price then Disney offered.

 

[cnids00]

We've always booked our trips on disney.com and never unchecked the vacation insurance, I always just include it as the first time my DD was sick with the stomach flu and we almost didn't make it, you just never know what happens and I wouldn't want to lose the money put into the trip. This year we booked our trip in January and was supposed to leave Aug 30 - Sept 6 but I injured my knee at work and today it's 4 weeks ago that happened (workmans comp ) First now this last friday was I sent to a real doctor (orthopedic) and I'm needing surgery which is on Aug 29 with at least 2 weeks recovery, so for me and my family, it's not an option to NOT have it

 

[ceecee]

We always go in September and for the last few years have gotten the trip insurance. Since 2 years ago, we had a lock down at Disney because of the hurricaine.

 

[nbodyhome]

I personally wouldn't get Disneys insurance - you can usually get it cheaper elsewhere, possibly on your own credit card.

Also, Disney has a policy now as far as hurricanes too -

http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/07/31/daily57.html

Actually, it was pretty much in place before. If you cancelled or changed the trip due to hurricanes, they waived the fees. They are just making it more clear now. Of course, there is still airfare and such to deal with (for those booking air).

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I don't book trip insurance for domestic travel and I didn't book Disney's insurance for our cruise. I went thru InsureMyTrip.com and I got better coverage for less money.

Disney's cancellation policy for packages is pretty lenient. The trip insurance would cost us about $200 for the land portion of our stay (we booked it separately) and we stand to lose the same amount if I have to cancel it at the last minute.

Here's what DreamsUnlimted has to say about Disney's package cancellation policy:

Cancellation & Change Fees:
For a cancellation made 44 to 6 days prior to arrival, there is a cancellation fee of $100 per package plus any cancellation fees assessed by hotels or other suppliers.


For a cancellation made 5 days or less prior to arrival, there is a cancellation fee of $200 per package plus any cancellation fees by hotels or other suppliers. No refunds will be given to no-shows.

For a change made 44 days or less prior to arrival or that results in a rate change, there is a change fee of $50 per package plus any change fees assessed by hotels or other suppliers. For changes, the change fees must be paid in addition to any increase in rate resulting from the change.
In addition:
If your air travel has been ticketed, there will be an additional cancellation or change fee per ticket equal to the higher of (i) $125 and (ii) the cancellation or change fee assessed by the airline. Please note that cancellation of a nonrefundable airfare results in a charge equal to the entire amount of the airfare and cancellation of a refundable airfare must be made at least 1 business day prior to departure.

Travel insurance is nonrefundable once deposit has been received. Upon any cancellation, the charge for travel insurance will be added to the other applicable cancellation fees.

If you cancel, amounts paid, minus cancellation fees and other amounts owed, will be promptly refunded.

For me, it will cost the same to cancel as it would to buy the insurance. My health insurance covers me for domestic travel and since I handle my airfare arrangements, it's up to me anyway to get myself into and out of Orlando in a timely fashion. If I had to reschedule my flights, Disney's trip insurance wouldn't cover me anyway.

International travel is a different story. For that, I want to be covered in case of a health emergency, death in the family or emergency evacuations.

 

[nbodyhome]

Remember that the biggest reason to have trip insurance is if something happens while you are at Disney. If you have a death in the family or another emergency after only 1 day, you could be out your hotel and your dining and such (but you can add the NE option to the tickets). Of course, you can ask Disney if they can refund, and it has happened as far as the resort stay - but that isn't ever guaranteed.

I'd personally recommend getting a credit card that covers trip insurance - that way you can be covered for any trip you take.

 

[queenbee]

Anybody know which credit cards offer travel insurance. I tried American Express yesterday and they referred to a company called Global travel shield.

Any other cards offer this type of insurance, not thru a third party?

Thanks,
queenbee

 

[nbodyhome]

My US Airways Mastercard and I think my Chase Visa also carry trip protection when using the card for the whole trip.

 

[queenbee]

Thanks for the information, I just received my Disney Visa, but I already paid my deposit last month on a different card. Do you think if I placed the remaining balance of $1800 on the Disney Visa card they would cover my trip insurance?

 

[musicdude]

I think we used Travel Guard for our Cruise in January 2005. It was about half of what Disney charged and I think it's coverage was a little better. It also included our flights which would not have been covered under Disney, because we booked our own. We didn't needed it at all, but at least we had peace of mind. There was a couple of medical emergencies on the ship one which we had to return to port at St. Thomas. We felt so bad for the entire family as they were hauling all of their luggage off the ship. Enjoy your trip and have the time of your life.

 

[nbodyhome]

Thanks for the information, I just received my Disney Visa, but I already paid my deposit last month on a different card. Do you think if I placed the remaining balance of $1800 on the Disney Visa card they would cover my trip insurance?

I am pretty positive that insurance does not come with a Disney Visa (if it was, then Disney wouldn't be able to sell so much insurance!)

 

[my3kids]

I never knew any credit cards came with travel insurance. I know a lot come with baggage loss coverage, but do cards really cover you airline tickets for a missed flight or flying you home if someone became ill, medical costs if you got sick while on the trip, or lost cameras and such?? If so, which one??