Trip Insurance - What am I missing?

[jtowntoflorida]

I read that thread this morning, and until then I have never even considered trip insurance.

I guess this whole time I have had a total misunderstanding about what trip insurance is. I was trying to figure out how it would benefit someone being stuck. There was another thread started that was the opposite: the family was stuck at WDW and could not get their flight out because of O'Hare. I think they are stuck for another 2 days. I was wondering...would the trip insurance pay for the extra stays then??

I clearly had no idea how this works! We are Floridians, so I guess I never thought we would need it. (Not logical, BTW to me now )

Travel insurance shouldn't just be thought of as insurance for cancelled airlines or hotel rooms. If you have the right policy, you can be reimbursed for delays, lost and delayed luggage, medical expenses, etc. But the biggest (potential) benefit, IMO, is if you're traveling somewhere and something goes wrong, you have someone you can call who will assist you in getting help. At Disney, it's probably not as big of a deal, but to other destinations, it can be extremely helpful. I work for a large multinational insurance group that includes a travel insurance company, and they always talk about how their business is much more about assistance than it is about insurance.

 

[DisneyGuy]

Personally, if we could add the insurance, we would do it. The reason we can't is because we have a split stay at the same resort *due to Disney's discount limitations* and per Disney we would have to add the insurance to both packages for the whole trip to be covered - so we would have to pay double for the insurance.

We have used the insurance before with cancelled flights due to weather and not being able to get home. This particular time it was insurance through the airline though but I would think Disney's is similar - it was very helpful!

 

[Allison]

Personally, if we could add the insurance, we would do it. The reason we can't is because we have a split stay at the same resort *due to Disney's discount limitations* and per Disney we would have to add the insurance to both packages for the whole trip to be covered - so we would have to pay double for the insurance.

We have used the insurance before with cancelled flights due to weather and not being able to get home. This particular time it was insurance through the airline though but I would think Disney's is similar - it was very helpful!

I buy trip insurance but never through Disney. I use ***************** which lets you compare several different policies and pick the one that fits your needs best.

 

[DisneyGuy]

I buy trip insurance but never through Disney. I use ***************** which lets you compare several different policies and pick the one that fits your needs best.

I'm considering something like this - considering it will be winter and you just never know with snow...

 

[thisismyusername]

Personally, if we could add the insurance, we would do it. The reason we can't is because we have a split stay at the same resort *due to Disney's discount limitations* and per Disney we would have to add the insurance to both packages for the whole trip to be covered - so we would have to pay double for the insurance. We have used the insurance before with cancelled flights due to weather and not being able to get home. This particular time it was insurance through the airline though but I would think Disney's is similar - it was very helpful!

This isn't true. I had Disney trip insurance for our first hotel reservation (a myw package) and then two RO reservations. Our flight was canceled at the end of our trip during the RO portion. I bought it only when our travel agent (Disney specialist) informed me it lasted our whole trip. This was for our summer 2013 trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

Mentioning the "bitter disappointment" thread doesn't work for trip insurance though. After all...."We were able to push everything back one day." They got everything back but their TSMM FP+. Disney worked with them and the airlines obviously worked with them (as they do when there are issues like this) and thankfully their bosses worked with them.

And THAT is the issue for trip insurance for Disney; Disney will quite often help you out, even when they don't have to. The main thing you get is money if you can't reschedule it.

Of course you have to make sure your air is included with whatever insurance you get, to have the insurance cover it. I'm not sure Disney's insurance does that, if you don't get air through them.

The important thing is to talk with the insurance carriers (that starred out bit a post or two above is discussed in a new "sticky" thread on the Disney Cruise forum, by the way! it's lovely to have an explanation of why they can't be mentioned now) and really find out what you need and what they'll cover.

 

[MerryFlora]

I always buy trip insurance! I buy it directly though, not thru Disney, so I can customize my policy and it's cheaper. I have elderly parents that could change my plans at any time.

One trip I ended up in the ER and ins paid my entire $5000 ( out of service area) bill, including $50 in round trip taxi costs. I faxed in my receipts and was reimbursed before my hospital bill was even due. Awesome customer service!

 

[Disney Frenhines]

A tip for any Brits, if you have contents insurance that covers goods you take outside the home for loss (cameras, clothes, electronics etc) then you won't need travel insurance for those items as they are covered, my insurance company pointed that out to me when I asked them for a quote for travel insurance, I got covered for everything else as part of my buildings and contents insurance for £35 extra for a whole years worth of travelling. I actually read the small print several times as I was sceptical, but, t was true, so worth checking as you could be paying for the same cover twice.

 

[fbarker]

I have never bought travel insurance and as you all can see from my post I am from Chicago. Well last Friday, as I am sure most of you have heard about, we had some guy take down the FAA flight guidance for both Midway and Ohare Airports. Thousand of flights have been cancelled and they say it wont fully be back up for at least 2 weeks. We have seen news reports where they interviewed people who have had to cancel long planned vacations, and yes some to Disney. So now I must admit I am reconsidering insurance for the future!!

 

[juliehoey]

Personally, if we could add the insurance, we would do it. The reason we can't is because we have a split stay at the same resort *due to Disney's discount limitations* and per Disney we would have to add the insurance to both packages for the whole trip to be covered - so we would have to pay double for the insurance.

We have used the insurance before with cancelled flights due to weather and not being able to get home. This particular time it was insurance through the airline though but I would think Disney's is similar - it was very helpful!

I had a triple split stay this past August and had a very knowledgeable CM change it so that it covered all three resorts. You may want to check on that again and then again until you get a CM who will do it. She said it has to be that way because of the days of the flight really not the resort stay.

Also, never add it on your deposit. Add it on your final payment day. It does not cost anymore to do so. In the event of a cancellation, you will lose the amount of the trip insurance included from the deposit. If you do not have insurance at time of original booking you will receive the full deposit back and not less the trip insurance cost.

 

[mmafan]

I would always get it and think it was a waste........until I had a death in the family and HAD to leave 3 days early from my trip...and a got back all my expences flight changes transportation to and from resort park tickets ect....just get it...

 

[LoKiHB]

For our 2013 trip, we purchased insurance through DVC. Our little one was in the hospital with respiratory issues until 3 days before we left. At the time, we were told by the Doctors that the trip might not happen because they couldn't figure out the best course of treatment in time.

Fortunately, they figured it out the very same day we purchased the insurance- about a week prior to the trip. We may have been out the cost of the insurance, but it sure beats being out the cost of airfare, AP's and, points.

Trip insurance is just like any other insurance. You get it just in case. If no one is sick or there is no chance of a Hoth-like snowstorm, you probably don't need it. If there is any chance you feel you might have to postpone or cancel, then give it some serious consideration.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Any insurance feels like a waste if a claim isn't made, but until you can predict the future, you'll never know if you're going to need it, and hence whether it's "worth it."

 

[DopeyDame]

We never get it. My theory on that is the same as long term warrenties. Sure, some day we may need to pay change fees and cancellation fees because of an emergency. But the thousands of dollars we will have NOT paid in trip insurance over the years will cover it. (Not literally, obviously, just in my mental banking)

It also seems to me that most insurance is almost as expensive as the change fees that you'd need to pay in an emergency anyway.

 

[muenginerd]

Purchasing Insurance for us is on a case by case basis.

Flying into the carribean during hurricane season I would definitely use trip insurance. It's protection against mother nature. We've done it in the past and haven't needed it and other times had to cancel a whole trip because a hurricane hit right before.

Flying into Disney and the possible "what-if" comes up. I don't think I would buy insurance. We just completed a trip and I'm 7 months pregnant. An issue arose at 5 months I wasn't sure I would be allowed to travel. We talked to both our travel agent and Disney. Both said if doctor tells you not to fly we are not going to hold you to your reservacation. Thankfully everything worked out beautifully for us and we had a great time.

I've worked in a resort setting many years and we have cancelled reservations at the last minute for a variety of reasons. If there is a serious issue you can't make it, like an illness or death, we would much rather cancel and have you come back later than put stress on a dissatisfied guest. And we are so much smaller than Disney. Watching staff this past week they really go out of their way to uphold the Disney reputation and make sure guests are happy.

On the airlines side, Insurance can be a great protection against the what-ifs. We stick to Southwest because we simply flat out love them. Again I've had to cancel/change flights at the last minute with them. There are no change fees (outside a change of rate if appicable). When I had my health issue a few months ago my doctor wanted me home ASAP. I called Southwest and explained the situation. They got me home 3 days early with great care and zero added expense.