Travel Insurance

[exflygirl]

To buy or not?

I can count on one hand the times I've purchased this product, and they involved fairly active trips to foreign lands. It wasn't the thought of a trip delay/interruption/cancelation or lost luggage--visions of a $25,000 medical evacuation bill spurred me to it.

This seems to be a common offering after booking packages, flights or cruises online.

[shygirl724]

I probably fall in the same category as you if it is just my hubby and I taking a trip. The $100,000+ cost for some of the medical evacuations (not to mention the medical bills in a foreign land that my medical insurance from home will not cover because it is "out of area") after the 2004 Tsunami disaster, it became the main reason for us purchasing travel insurance. I don't buy from the company I book with though. If they go bankrupt, then I believe the insurance they sell to cover against such a problem will also be worthless. I look to a 3rd party insurance. I will say that I have also purchased the insurance when I am taking a trip with friends that aren't in the best health. I have had to cancel a trip in the past due to the illness of my traveling companion.

Shy ~

[bonniejoy03]

Very interesting topic. We have never purchased the insurance however, we are getting older. What do you look for in a policy? (for example, medical, weather, etc.) Also, what type of costs do you pay? Can you use this if you do an independent trip (planning yourself?)

Thanks for any tips.

[[email protected]]

We started buying travel insurance (Travelex) when the economy started tanking and get a "cancel for any reason policy" since you never know when your job may disappear! I insure the whole cost of the trip + airfare and add the cancel for anything and have never paid more than $150. I think it is worth it these days
D

[shygirl724]

I use the following website to find the type of insurance and best company for any given trip. It makes it easy to compare policies and coverage: http://www.insuremytrip.com/index.html

Yes, you can get travel insurance for any trip you book yourself. What I look for in a policy depends on where I am going and the amount of money that is actually at risk. For example, if I have hotels booked that give a 24 hour cancelation policy, then I am not too concerned about covering them in the package. I just use my credit card for the booking so I get some protection from the card if there is a problem, and I assume that if I had to cancel the trip completely, then I will have more than 24 hours to cancel. Having some form of medical coverage on the road is very important to us. Check your medical insurance to see what coverage you have when "out of your area" (not just overseas, but can also effect payments when out of state). Travel insurance can cover the gap. I also want medical evacuation insurance. Getting back home for good medical care can break the bank if you have to pay for it yourself. Other good coverage is delay insurance, especially if you are booked on a cruise or tour. You will incur added expenses trying to meet up with your vacation group if you missed the departure point.

These are just the things we think about. I am sure other LL community members will have additional ideas.

Shy ~

[thepiranha]

Can anybody recommend a company for travel insurance? I can't remember ever buying it for myself, but I've bought it for my kids when they've traveled because it was required by the tour group.

[kyshel]

two are mentioned by previous posters

[betsyv]

I don't buy for most of my trips but the company I work for has travel medical insurance for me as part of my job package through IAPA and Amex. In Indonesia, Philippines and China, if I get sick-I am airlifted out to Hong Kong or to Singapore for medical treatment plus have extra coverage to get me back to the USA when safe. That being said I can use the same insurance for my personal travels but haven't gotten my hubby covered.