When to buy trip insurance??

[pdolan]

I am very much so a Disney trip planning novice and have been attempting to research/plan a 7 day land/sea vacation for 2004. Trip insurance has me stumped. When do you have to purchase it by? All along I assumed when you reserved your package - you either purchased it or not. Is this not the case? Can someone help me out and give me info?

 

[dzneprincess]

You can purchase trip insurance thru DCL when you book, however it is generally ALOT cheaper to buy it directly from Access America, which IS the same company that Disney uses.

http://www.accessamerica.com/index.asp?token=Dmk6CuvUtajJ5wifJ30BGPrwXRsp4CaDnlKiMzRR

There is a link for you I think Disney charges $99 per person, and as you will see at the website it is a lot cheaper to go thru them directly. HTH
Amanda

 

[pdolan]

Thanks for the link to Access America. I've read that they were the way to go. **What I am curious about though is if I can wait to buy the insurance until closer to our travel date or do I have to buy it now when I book my trip?**

 

[dzneprincess]

I am not absolutely positive, but I think you have to buy it before you make your last payment.

 

[thegales]

From the Access America website:
"Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion Waiver. You can waive this exclusion by purchasing coverage within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit if the cost is less than $10,000. Please note, the Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion Waiver is not available to Canadian residents. Other stipulations may apply. See the Terms and Conditions for details. "

To get this same waiver if purchasing directly from Disney, you have from 30 days from the time you placed your deposit.

 

[professorandmom]

This is my interpretation:

Basically, decide whether you or your family (which might cause a cancellation) have an illness or condition right when you book the cruise (give deposit).

If everyone (not just those going) are relatively healthy (another thread once discussed whether old age is a pre-existing condition - conclusion - no). If everyone is pretty OK -then buy the insurance the day you pay the balance for the cruise. (This assumes you pay 60 days out - if you pay prior to that the money is still refundable so who needs insurance) If not, buy the insurance within a few days of the deposit.

Access (same company as Disney uses but cheaper) has a toll free # so it is easy. Also, make sure you check out the free kids plan through Access - save me about $100!
Barbara

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I just talked to access america. To insure 1500.00 per person, (6000.00 cost of the package divided by 4) persons over 30 was 95.00, and persons under 30 was 88.00, plus a 5.00 something charge. I was told that I could purchase up to 14 days prior with a pre existing stipulation. The only other stipulation is that if the carrier goes out of buisness I wouldn't get a refund either.....hmmmmm I don't think DCL is going out of buisness but....for the same price I think I might just add it to my package..

 

[professorandmom]

Careful when you calculate insurance costs - don't divide total cost by the number of people - you need to know the cost per person (DCL or TA can give you this). It can make a big difference in cost and also, refunds and claims are made based on the actual cost per person NOT the total cost divided by the number of people.
Barbara

 

[LAMPSKIES]

When I called the gal asked what the total price of the package was and the age of the travelers were. Did I get bad info???