I just put my deposit down on Rick's Ireland tour for September 2011. Since I'm well within the two weeks of having made my deposit, I'd like to purchase trip insurance now so that I can get the "cancel for any reason" coverage. However, I likely won't start looking at airfare till sometime next spring, so I don't know how much that will be and, therefore, how much to insure. Is there any reason I couldn't buy two separate policies: one for the tour, and one later on for the airfare? Is there any reason I would NOT want to do this? Or should I just guess on the airfare and insure the entire trip? Thanks for any input.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
I always purchase travel insurance when I have paid for my trip. The cover starts from that date until the end of my trip.
Posted by
Kirn, Germany
331 posts
I can't see an alternative to booking two separate insurances if you don't want to book your flight now. You may have complications if you guess and underestimate the cost of the airfare, and if you overestimate the amount the insurance will cost you more. Two separate insurances will prob cost more too but at least you know that you are covered for the actual cost and that you wont have lengthy repercussions. Personally I'd book the flights now, they should be cheaper too so far in advance - provided it works the same in the USA as it does here.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23622 posts
First, read all the fine print carefully because it can vary from policy to policy. Generally you can only insure potential lost and lost is not what you decided but what the insurance company decides. For example if you book a $1200 non-refundable ticket all you are insuring in the change fee and not the $1200 because if you cancel the ticket the airline will give a credit minus the exchange fee. You have to determine what is your potential, true, out-of-pocket lost and not the cost of your trip.