Does anyone have information on getting Flight and Hotel cancellation insurance? I am referring to being unable to actually make the trip do to illness or something just happening that prevents you from going. Airlines seem pretty stringent on not refunding if something happens. The hotel we have selected does not offer refundable rates, only non-refundable. This is a large sum to so put on a Visa card and then hope it all works out! Nothing ever has in the past but you never know!
Posted by
11553 posts
We only buy travel insurance if there is a cruise or a tour involved. We only cover the airlines’ change fees and book cancellable hotel rooms. You have a year to use the credit. We want medical coverage and evacuation coverage too. We have had good experiences with Travel Guard.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5398 posts
Have you checked out insuremytrip? And what about trip interruption insurance- for instance (God forbid) an immediate family member dies and you need to return home immediately? Also, do you have medical coverage when out of the country? Lots to consider besides straight cancellation insurance.
Insuremytrip and other similar sites let's you specify the type of coverage you need, then gives you a choice of insurance companies that would meet those needs.
Posted by
12 posts
Another recommendation for Insuremytrip.com. Have been using them for years, whenever we take cruises or other overseas trips.
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
1026 posts
I have used TravelGuard to insure trips and get the coverage for not only the trip cancellation/delay, but medical as my medical plan does not cover me internationally. On my recent trip to Italy, I was going with my friends an niece. With a large group with different medical situations, while we didn’t need it, it gave us peace of mind.
I don’t always take trip insurance, especially if it is just me, as I can rebook flights and use credits at a later date and I will weigh the costs of the insurance versus the costs of losing hotel $ if I have to cancel. My advice is read the policies carefully to make sure that you are getting the most complete coverage for your $.
Sandy
Posted by
San Francisco
1008 posts
I always buy travel insurance - covers for illness, cancellation, delay, etc....
A few years ago we were stuck overnight in London due to fog and canceled flights, and had to reroute the next day to Munich (instead of Nuremberg). Racked up $1100 in new charges and lost tours, etc... got it all paid.
Our long trips, the insurance is usually average about $150? I will likely be making a couple claims from this trip when we get home as I had to take my son to the doc twice in Iceland for infected finger. (almost missed connection there in New York and would have had to file that too, but we made it!)
Last year had a quick 3 night cruise with my mom and sisters.... blew out my knee skiing and had to get surgery. Trip insurance refunded our whole cruise cost for all 4 of us (I stupidly did not get my airfare on there since they were all local, I was the only one flying and didn't really think about it!). The insurance was about.. $30?
I would not leave home without good insurance. Small price to pay for peace of mind! We have been using Travel Insured - I have a TA and get it through her (though I do most of my own booking for stuff except cruises).
Kim
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7107 posts
I always get travel insurance in case something happens and we have to cancel. Ensure you read the valid reasons for cancelling, since not every reason is valid, e.g, you changed your mind, you have to work, you lost your job, etc. For hotels, we almost always book hotels with free cancellation up to a day or two prior to arrival. It’s interesting the hotel doesn’t have refundable rates since most offer multiple rates. I assume you checked the hotel’s website and not just sites like Expedia, Trivago, etc. we’ve never had to file a claim.