Where to buy trip insurance?

[JerseyJanice]

We have non-refundable tickets on Continental for our August trip. I never buy trip insurance because I'm usually confident that we will take any trip we have planned, but we just found out that a relative has stage 4 lung cancer.

I am now worried about the timing of our trip. I can get trip insurance through Disney, Continental or the credit card company I used to purchase the tickets. I believe it's possible to buy it independently too.

I am most concerned about the flights since those are nonrefundable. You can pay a change fee per ticket, but it's exorbitant. Disney is pretty flexible with its package terms, but I wonder if it's insured through them if it's possible to reschedule the trip with the same terms.

I would really appreciate any help or advice with this.

 

[Tozzie]

We have non-refundable tickets on Continental for our August trip. I never buy trip insurance because I'm usually confident that we will take any trip we have planned, but we just found out that a relative has stage 4 lung cancer.

I am now worried about the timing of our trip. I can get trip insurance through Disney, Continental or the credit card company I used to purchase the tickets. I believe it's possible to buy it independently too.

I am most concerned about the flights since those are nonrefundable. You can pay a change fee per ticket, but it's exorbitant. Disney is pretty flexible with its package terms, but I wonder if it's insured through them if it's possible to reschedule the trip with the same terms.

I would really appreciate any help or advice with this.

I don't know about the disney insurance but you can get travel insurance through www.insuremytrip.com. There are a lot of different companies and you can compare them.

 

[msmayor]

The biggest issue you will need to consider is that you are looking to cover yourself for something that is pre-existing. Normally, most trip insurance policies require you to purchase the insurance 10-14 days from your deposit to waive the pre-existing conditions clause. Some policies will waive pre-existing if you purchase within 24 hours of final payment, but if you've already purchased the airfare AND its been more than 14 days from the date you bought it, you may be out of luck.

The one type of insurance that may provide coverage is Cancel for Any Reason but not all policies offer this type of coverage, and not all policies will refund 100%.

Your best bet is to contact some companies listed at insuremytrip.com and ask specific, pointed questions about your situation and find out what coverage may work.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The biggest issue you will need to consider is that you are looking to cover yourself for something that is pre-existing. Normally, most trip insurance policies require you to purchase the insurance 10-14 days from your deposit to waive the pre-existing conditions clause. Some policies will waive pre-existing if you purchase within 24 hours of final payment, but if you've already purchased the airfare AND its been more than 14 days from the date you bought it, you may be out of luck.

The one type of insurance that may provide coverage is Cancel for Any Reason but not all policies offer this type of coverage, and not all policies will refund 100%.

Your best bet is to contact some companies listed at insuremytrip.com and ask specific, pointed questions about your situation and find out what coverage may work.

It's a pre-existing condition because we know this relative is terminally ill, but we have no clue as to when he will pass away. We will need to reschedule the trip only if he passes away very close to the dates of our trip in order to attend his funeral. He could die before the trip or several months or even years from now. He's a young man (50), so we're not giving up hope that he can fight his disease to stay with us for a few more years.

 

[jerseygirl81]

We have used insuremytrip.com twice before and although we did'nt have to use the insurance, they do break it down so its easy to understand and different ins. co and policies that you can compare side by side. You can also call them with any questions. Linda

 

[cathicool]

we also go thru insuremytrip.com
i find it easy to navigate the website and there are lots of reasonable choices....

 

[JerseyJanice]

I went to the site and did chat with an agent.

She gave me a list of 4 travel insurance companies that will cover trip expenses for a death in the family whether caused by a pre-existing condition or not. I'll check those and the Disney travel insurance and decide which best suits my needs.

Ironically, we are traveling with another family who is facing the same situation; we both want to insure our travels. Who'd expect two clean-living, non-smoking 50 year old men to be diagnosed with lung cancer? It's so scary.

 

[dioxide45]

How much is the fee to cancel or change your flights? If you are looking at $150 pp, then you may be best to take the chance at this point. Travel insurance will probably cost $50 per person anyway. You can cancel, pay the fee and use what is left over for when you are able to travel later.

I only buy travel insurance for trips out of the country or cruises. Mainly for the medical and med-evac coverage. Not so much for the cancellation coverage.

 

[AnnaS]

I could have written this post/question myself.

About two months ago, my brother and I (both dvc members) booked our flights with Jetblue for our Vero/WLVs August reservation. A month after that - we got the devastating news that my 46 yr. old sister has stage 4 lung cancer. She went in for a pain on her side that got unbearable and after a ct scan, the shock of our lives.

I cancelled my August reservation (also have an October one - not cancelled yet). Not sure what to do about the flight. The only way I am going is if she is doing well and will pick up the phone and book something a week or two before - she needs all of us right now.

We also recently cancelled our October fights to Canada - we were going with my in-laws for my husband's uncle 50th Anniversary. As soon as we booked and paid, my bil got the horrible news of 3/4 months to live (stage 4 melanoma). I also cancelled at that time our April WDW trip - we got lucky here, Amtrak gives you 100% full refund.

We have only purchased insurance for flights out of the country and also decided we will purchase for any future cruises (because of dh's medical condition) but from now on - I told my dh that we are either driving or taking Amtrak. If we fly domestic, insurance is a must also now because of elderly parents.

Keep us posted and prayers and the best for your family member.