Travel insurance

[~SHEBA~]

Any suggestions for affordable travel insurance and do you think its needed?

Thank you in advance

[two4today]

Travel Guard and yes, would not risk traveling without it.

[~SHEBA~]

Thank you

[Aud-A-Sea]

I would not and will not travel without. We just returned from a 5-day last minute trip and even bought insurance for that trip. I highly recommend www.squaremouth.com (I know stupid name. Great site). Definitely purchase a policy that has medical evacuation/repatriation coverage.

We purchase it every trip and it runs approximately $115 - 150.00 (depending on total trip cost and we are 48yrs & 60 yrs). The peace of mind is worth it.

While traveling a couple years ago, our son-in-law unexpectedly passed away with our daughter expecting their 1st child in 6 weeks. We landed that day and received the call that evening. Emotionally we were already suffering a burden, however, with trip insurance we did not have to worry about the cost of last minute flight costs as the airfare was fully covered and we received a refund of our unused remaining days at the resort.

If anything should happen health wise you are covered and heaven forbid one should pass you will pay thousands and thousands of dollars to be taken to a US hospital or your remains flown back.

It's not a happy subject, but anything can happen at any moment.

[NikkiV]

I agree with Aud-A-Sea and probably because I learned the hard way. Last minute trip, first night simply stepped off the curb into a pothole & tumbled into the street, I was hospitalized in Mexico & refused surgery there, fortunately the airlines accommodated me & I flew home for it, but had to give the hospital my credit card for all the services they performed (thousands). At home it took many phone calls with my stateside insurance company, and eventually got reimbursed for some of the costs there. BTW, that simple tumble, I wasn't expected to ever walk again, but after a year of lots of hard therapy I am happy to say it's almost as good as before. In any case you can imagine the cost of all that. Now I always get travel insurance & the last few times have used Squaremouth also.

Which reminds me to get some for my October trip!

[NikkiV]

Just went to Squaremouth & purchased insurance for my 12 day trip, $36. After putting in some basic info, you get numerous quotes. Since I am going in October, I wanted to be sure I hurricane/inclement weather coverage. I ended up getting a policy thru Travell Guard (which I've used before) and the $36 is for 100% cost for trip cancellation, $50k primary emergency medical, $1 mil for medical evacuation & repatriation, travel & baggage delay, & $50k life insurance. All worth peace of mind.

[Mr. Twister]

I wished I had it last year when I had to cancel my trip 5 hours before the flight due to a medical emergency.

[Blake]

http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/fami...surance-20151/

I'd say it depends on a lot of factors.

I agree with the above article that for the "most part" you really don't need travels insurance.

I've never been a big fan of for profit insurance companies because it's in their best interest NOT to pay out when you actually need the money.

To me, the cost of insurance is just another way for another company to make money off of my traveling. The reality is that while everyone might know someone that got injured, had to use the insurance due to illness/death, the odds of your trip being cancelled are pretty astronomical.

If you want the same odds you might as well spend that money on lottery tickets in my opinion but again, it all depends on a lot of factors.

[pwj155]

nikkiv- thats a great deal! i never travel without it and i think the most important part is the medi-vac.

[Craig123]

I personally don't worry about trip cancellation insurance because of the relatively small loss severity. Insurance is something I buy when the potential loss is severe. That includes serious illness or injury when away from home. However, you need to be VERY careful to answer all application questions truthfully and to fully disclose all material facts. Failing that, the contract is void and you'll be stuck with a potentially large bill.

Be very very very careful in the application process. Even a change in the amount of medication will often create an "unstable pre-existing condition" that will exclude coverage for the condition being treated.