Random Question: Travel Insurance

Clockworkmike

Clockworkmike

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Odd question I will admit but has anyone had much experience with Travel Insurance?

We were looking at booking a vacation this summer and with everything that goes on in the world and screws up trips( like the Bug That Shall Not Be Named), I was looking at Travel Insurance. Ive bought it in the past many times and only ever had to use it once a couple years ago, but had to go thru hoops and barrels to get reimbursed. But whenever I bought it, i did so at the time of booking.

This year, we got a lil bit of a dilemma however. We found a place at the beach, that would be fine just for us 4, but also up to to an additional 4 people. My in-laws are completely non-committal and indecisive, yet say one day they'd like to go with us and then the next, "uh , i dont know yet". Regardless, im probably just gonna book the joint for us if nothing more. But because of their back and forth, i figured Travel Insurance would be a good idea to cover anyone who backs out at the last second.

I found some policies that cover Cancel For Any Reason and they arent bad. But the question is: how long do you have to purchase said insurance?
 
I think it all depends. I have booked cruises and had purchased insurance on the date full payment is due (usually 120days out). Others where only purchased upon booking.
I think every company has a different policy.
Your best bet is to call whoever you booked through and inquire directly. Some hotels allow you to cancel up to 48hrs before.
 
I would say purchase the insurance at least a few weeks in advance and book a flight for the in-laws where the pilot will be working from 'Auto Zoom' while potentially getting a bang for your buck from the insurance claims.;)

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LiveeviL2000 said:
I think it all depends. I have booked cruises and had purchased insurance on the date full payment is due (usually 120days out). Others where only purchased upon booking.
I think every company has a different policy.
Your best bet is to call whoever you booked through and inquire directly. Some hotels allow you to cancel up to 48hrs before.
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Good deal. This is on VRBO and so i can take their Generali insurance immediately but they gave me some static last time on a legitimate claim ( though they paid in the end). Theres a few policy companies like Battleface , AIG and Trawick that you can open up an outside policy.

Just wasnt sure ot the timelines. Ive read the sooner the better but some can go even up to date of departure
 
We purchased both times we went to Hawaii. We purchased it again for our aborted 2020 vacation. Did not get cash back, but did get credit vouchers with AA for future use. We finally used part of it to go to FL over Christmas break. (Wife’s a teacher). We’ll be using the rest of it end of March on her spring break. So. It’s probably worth it considering how goofy airline travel is right now.
 
iblive said:
We purchased both times we went to Hawaii. We purchased it again for our aborted 2020 vacation. Did not get cash back, but did get credit vouchers with AA for future use. We finally used part of it to go to FL over Christmas break. (Wife’s a teacher). We’ll be using the rest of it end of March on her spring break. So. It’s probably worth it considering how goofy airline travel is right now.
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I definitely like having it because it saved me tremendously in 2020. We had booked a vacation to Key West for July in January 6th of that year, paid the 2nd half ahead of schedule on march 13th and literally on march 15th? National pandemic declared, the Keys were in bad shape and things werent good. Unfortunately they rewrote the policies to EXCLUDE the pandemic in April AFTER I bought the plan. So it took a bit of fine print reading to find an escape clause but i did and got all my money back minus the insurance cost itself
 
Clockworkmike said:
I definitely like having it because it saved me tremendously in 2020. We had booked a vacation to Key West for July in January 6th of that year, paid the 2nd half ahead of schedule on march 13th and literally on march 15th? National pandemic declared, the Keys were in bad shape and things werent good. Unfortunately they rewrote the policies to EXCLUDE the pandemic in April AFTER I bought the plan. So it took a bit of fine print reading to find an escape clause but i did and got all my money back minus the insurance cost itself
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Was 2020 for us as well. Same reason. Country shut down. Then tried to use credit in 2021, until the lady from the condo we had rented for a week called and warned us there wouldn’t be a rental car available…. Even if we had already reserved and paid for it. So canceled again. And while we tried. Apparently American Airlines only gives credit vouchers rather than money back….. with a time limit to use. And when you’re married to a teacher, available times are somewhat limited.
 
iblive said:
Was 2020 for us as well. Same reason. Country shut down. Then tried to use credit in 2021, until the lady from the condo we had rented for a week called and warned us there wouldn’t be a rental car available…. Even if we had already reserved and paid for it. So canceled again. And while we tried. Apparently American Airlines only gives credit vouchers rather than money back….. with a time limit to use. And when you’re married to a teacher, available times are somewhat limited.
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Wel that sucks man. Glad you got your vacation in the end, just sucks you had to deal with a voucher and a time constraint. Makes it harder to plan the way you want when you're under the gun.

We were looking at the Outer Banks, around Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills area this time because we usually just hit VA Beach but wanted to change things up a bit. As far as travel, its about 7 hrs driving so, probably stick to the ground. Just wanted to insure the beach house rental incase something goes awry before then and to cover her family members who are unfortunately, not very committed until AFTER we already book something.

That has happened twice and its very aggravating. Last time we just gave them the address of the condo place we stayed at and said "Here, see if you can find one" after asking them for months prior lol
 
Clockworkmike said:
Wel that sucks man. Glad you got your vacation in the end, just sucks you had to deal with a voucher and a time constraint. Makes it harder to plan the way you want when you're under the gun.

We were looking at the Outer Banks, around Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills area this time because we usually just hit VA Beach but wanted to change things up a bit. As far as travel, its about 7 hrs driving so, probably stick to the ground. Just wanted to insure the beach house rental incase something goes awry before then and to cover her family members who are unfortunately, not very committed until AFTER we already book something.

That has happened twice and its very aggravating. Last time we just gave them the address of the condo place we stayed at and said "Here, see if you can find one" after asking them for months prior lol
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This March we’ll be spending her spring break on St Thomas. At least that’s the current plan. Christmas break was spent with a very good friend that moved from Illinois to Sarasota several years ago.
 
iblive said:
This March we’ll be spending her spring break on St Thomas. At least that’s the current plan. Christmas break was spent with a very good friend that moved from Illinois to Sarasota several years ago.
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St Thomas sounds really nice! Very beautiful island.

We usually do one decant vacation a year to the beach and MAYBE a couple weekend type trips along the way, often BACK to the beach in September for the NAS Oceana Air Show. I think this year, wife wanted to take the kids to the Columbus Zoo for a couple days ( bout 3.5hrs away) and the Georgia Aquarium sometime for a couple days ( that one is about 7hrs as well, so not looking forward to that, but i promised lol). Both are pretty inexpensive, so that's a bonus lol
 
When I need to fly spending my own money, I usually make sure to pay the extra for a refundable/exchangeable ticket. I do not opt for the lowest cost option. You're screwed if you do. I also make sure it's with a carrier that has reciprocal agreements with other airlines. Book direct with the airline, not Travelocity. And, be sure to have membership in their points program. It's worth it, plus you get the points for later.

For hotels and rental cars, sign up for their points program before booking. You'll find it easier to cancel or rebook if you're one of their members. I've been "Diamond Status" with Hilton for years, and can cancel up to check-in time. A new member may need 24 hours, but it still beats being out any cash.
 
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