Book Travel Insurance when you book your flight??
Jun 11th, 2012, 12:26 PM
#1
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Book Travel Insurance when you book your flight??
When you book a flight online, at the end, you are usually asked to purchase flight insurance. If you are thinking about purchasing insurance, Is this advisable? Must you purchase travel insurance immediately after you have booked your flight? If you don't purchase from the site you booked your flight, where do you go???
I know there are many types of travel insurance but the prices quoted when you book your flight are usually "cheap" compared to the other sites.
The whole thing makes me crazy and nervous.
Thoughts on travel insurance?
I know there are many types of travel insurance but the prices quoted when you book your flight are usually "cheap" compared to the other sites.
The whole thing makes me crazy and nervous.
Thoughts on travel insurance?
Jun 11th, 2012, 12:32 PM
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If you are going to book insurance, you should book it almost immediately after booking your flight. But I never buy it from the airline. I always always book it separately, and you are always better off by insuring the total cost of your trip. If you book within a short span of time (anywhere from 48 hours to a week) after completely the full booking, then you are usually better off. The longer you wait, the more exclusions. Cancel-for-any-reason policies, for example, really have to be booked almost immediately.
There are numerous legitimate travel insurance companies, and policies can be compared at www.squaremouth.com. Be sure to put the exact amount of your trip on the form. The real question is what you want to be covered for ... that's why policy rates vary so much.
There are numerous legitimate travel insurance companies, and policies can be compared at www.squaremouth.com. Be sure to put the exact amount of your trip on the form. The real question is what you want to be covered for ... that's why policy rates vary so much.
Jun 11th, 2012, 12:38 PM
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There are several websites that sell travel insurance, the one I use is www.insuremytrip.com I never buy it from the place selling me a plane ticket, don't trust them, and in any case, I never want to only insure a plane ticket, so that doeesn't make any sense to me to only buy insurance for that. IN fact, a plane ticket is the least of my concerns when booking trip insurance because you can transfer it with a change fee, even if a couple hundred dollars now.
YOu don't have to book immediately if you don't care about pre-existing medical conditions for the health insurnace part (or you are wanting to buy a cancel for any policy reason as Doug mentioned). I think if you don't care about the health insurance part, the price doesn't really change up until departure. I don't book immediately lots of times because I don't really know at that time what my major expenses are going to be that I want to insure, and the dollar amount is the main thing costing you a lot of money (not the health insurance part)--meaning you will see how much the price varies by the dollar amount you put in the box for the amount you want to insure, which is your nonrefundable expenditures, not the other stuff.
YOu don't have to book immediately if you don't care about pre-existing medical conditions for the health insurnace part (or you are wanting to buy a cancel for any policy reason as Doug mentioned). I think if you don't care about the health insurance part, the price doesn't really change up until departure. I don't book immediately lots of times because I don't really know at that time what my major expenses are going to be that I want to insure, and the dollar amount is the main thing costing you a lot of money (not the health insurance part)--meaning you will see how much the price varies by the dollar amount you put in the box for the amount you want to insure, which is your nonrefundable expenditures, not the other stuff.
Jun 11th, 2012, 12:40 PM
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The travel insurance offered through a company like Squaremough as Doug mentions are usually more expensive than the ones offered by the airlines.
The reason for this is that they are more conprehensive then those offered by the airlines and insure you for many other things. For example, they have medical clauses which would cover you for evacuation if you are hurt while on vacation and need to be flown home and require medical care during that flight.
Remember to compare apples to apples and you will see a big difference in policies.
The reason for this is that they are more conprehensive then those offered by the airlines and insure you for many other things. For example, they have medical clauses which would cover you for evacuation if you are hurt while on vacation and need to be flown home and require medical care during that flight.
Remember to compare apples to apples and you will see a big difference in policies.
Jun 18th, 2012, 05:07 AM
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The two main reasons to purchase travel insurance soon after booking is to be able to take advantage of the waiver of pre-existing conditions (for you, your traveling companions and family members) and/or to take advantage of "cancel for any reason" options. These waivers/options generally require that you purchase insurance for the full amount of your trip within 14 - 15 days of your first purchase. If you have no need for the waiver/options, then insurance generally may be purchased at any time prior to the trip.
One thing I have read a lot about lately is travel insurance claims being denied because the policyholder failed to insure for the full value of the trip. This is often a requirement of the policy and the policyholder tried to avoid paying a higher premium by insuring only a portion of the trip. It is important that you read all the "fine print" of any policy that your purchase.
As previously mentioned, two good websites for comparing travel insurance policies is InsureMyTrip and SquareMouth. I have purchased policies through InsureMyTrip, but fortunately have never had to file a claim. Nevertheless, through this website, I had several ways to contact them to discuss policies and their "fine print". I have done that on several occasions and found their representatives knowledgeable and helpful.
I would be wary of buying insurance from the same company providing the travel arrangements, be that the airline or the cruise company. (It would be in their interest to make it as difficult as possible for you to be successful in filing a claim.) A third-party source for insurance is likely the better choice.
One thing I have read a lot about lately is travel insurance claims being denied because the policyholder failed to insure for the full value of the trip. This is often a requirement of the policy and the policyholder tried to avoid paying a higher premium by insuring only a portion of the trip. It is important that you read all the "fine print" of any policy that your purchase.
As previously mentioned, two good websites for comparing travel insurance policies is InsureMyTrip and SquareMouth. I have purchased policies through InsureMyTrip, but fortunately have never had to file a claim. Nevertheless, through this website, I had several ways to contact them to discuss policies and their "fine print". I have done that on several occasions and found their representatives knowledgeable and helpful.
I would be wary of buying insurance from the same company providing the travel arrangements, be that the airline or the cruise company. (It would be in their interest to make it as difficult as possible for you to be successful in filing a claim.) A third-party source for insurance is likely the better choice.
Jun 18th, 2012, 08:46 AM
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I purchased travel insurance for the first time for our trip last year and again purchased one for our upcoming trip in October. I chose to buy through British Airways right after purchasing the plane tickets.
The insurance is through TravelGuard. I read the coverage and I am satistified with the terms. The premium is at least half of what the above-mentioned companies offered. I would prefer to spend my money on the trip rather than over-insure.
Read the terms and compare premiums, then choose what is best for you.
The insurance is through TravelGuard. I read the coverage and I am satistified with the terms. The premium is at least half of what the above-mentioned companies offered. I would prefer to spend my money on the trip rather than over-insure.
Read the terms and compare premiums, then choose what is best for you.
Jun 18th, 2012, 09:25 AM
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I've purchased insurance when I book my flight with the airline, and I've also used insuremytrip. I think either way is fine, but in general the price is cheaper thru the airline for the same basic coverage.
Jun 18th, 2012, 09:31 AM
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I work for a travel agency, I always book travel insurance and we recommend it to all our travelers. We use Travel Guard and they have always been great to work with. They have several plans and I am sure you can find one that fits your needs and your budget.
Jun 18th, 2012, 10:43 AM
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Also, regarding pre-existing condition: if you must interrupt the trip because of it, some policies require that a doctor is seen within a certain number of days upon return. Be sure to get that straight as well.
Jun 19th, 2012, 08:07 PM
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Being seniors, we like knowing we have coverage for cancellation and for evacuation in case of medical issues. We have used both Travel Guard and Access America. The only claim we had was with Access America which came through promptly when we had to cancel a trip due to surgery. We tend now to buy from Travel Guard because they offer some extra benefits that we like. Both are reliable companies.
Aug 30th, 2012, 11:00 AM
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When purchasing insurance with an airline, coverage will only extend to the time spent flying. Many airlines will only offer vouchers as reimbursement if a flight is delayed or cancelled. If travelers want other benefits such as emergency medical or inclement weather coverage, they should consider purchasing a travel insurance policy.
Generally, there is no need to purchase travel insurance at the time a flight is being booked. Purchasing a policy is only time sensitive when Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing condition coverage is selected.
The Cancel For Any Reason benefit allows travelers to cancel trips ahead of time without excuse. With Cancel For Any Reason, travelers are reimbursed for a percentage of non-refundable trip costs. This benefit is only available if the first trip deposit is made by a certain date and travelers must cancel no later than two days before their trip departure.
The pre-existing condition benefit provides coverage if travelers need to cancel trips due to medical conditions occurring before departure. A condition is considered pre-existing if it develops or changes within the policy’s lookback period.
Travel insurance policies can be purchased directly through a provider or from a travel insurance comparison site such as squaremouth.com.
Generally, there is no need to purchase travel insurance at the time a flight is being booked. Purchasing a policy is only time sensitive when Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing condition coverage is selected.
The Cancel For Any Reason benefit allows travelers to cancel trips ahead of time without excuse. With Cancel For Any Reason, travelers are reimbursed for a percentage of non-refundable trip costs. This benefit is only available if the first trip deposit is made by a certain date and travelers must cancel no later than two days before their trip departure.
The pre-existing condition benefit provides coverage if travelers need to cancel trips due to medical conditions occurring before departure. A condition is considered pre-existing if it develops or changes within the policy’s lookback period.
Travel insurance policies can be purchased directly through a provider or from a travel insurance comparison site such as squaremouth.com.
Oct 18th, 2012, 01:56 AM
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I would suggest that buying travel insurance as soon as you have booked your flight or holiday is essential, since you will then be instantly covered in the event of cancellation from the day you buy your policy, unless you have taken cancellation out of your cover details!!
Also many insurance companies can include end supplier failure now which normally will include scheduled airline failure so this means you would be covered for reimbursement in case they went bust.
If you are in the UK I would suggest you apply for your free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) as this will give you some medical cover and if used most insurers waive the excess on your policy, it does not however cover repatriation so you really should have both!
There are so many travel insurance companies that I have listed a few where you can either compare or find a quote direct or even buy at the post office, so hope these all help.
www.moneysupermarket.com
www.cheaptravelinsurance.com
www.postoffice.co.uk
www.confused.com
Also many insurance companies can include end supplier failure now which normally will include scheduled airline failure so this means you would be covered for reimbursement in case they went bust.
If you are in the UK I would suggest you apply for your free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) as this will give you some medical cover and if used most insurers waive the excess on your policy, it does not however cover repatriation so you really should have both!
There are so many travel insurance companies that I have listed a few where you can either compare or find a quote direct or even buy at the post office, so hope these all help.
www.moneysupermarket.com
www.cheaptravelinsurance.com
www.postoffice.co.uk
www.confused.com
Jun 11th, 2014, 08:29 PM
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There was a similar thread this week.
It is essential that you not only read and understand the benefits but the exclusions. Comparisons can be tricky for someone who does not know insurance or has not purchased travel insurance before. But as accurately noted above, do your insurance homework before you book your flights and then get the insurance you need as soon as possible afterwrds.
It goes beyond the out-of-pocket expenses, especially if there are sickly members of the family or you or traveling companion have a significant pre-existing condition.
It is essential that you not only read and understand the benefits but the exclusions. Comparisons can be tricky for someone who does not know insurance or has not purchased travel insurance before. But as accurately noted above, do your insurance homework before you book your flights and then get the insurance you need as soon as possible afterwrds.
It goes beyond the out-of-pocket expenses, especially if there are sickly members of the family or you or traveling companion have a significant pre-existing condition.
Jun 11th, 2014, 08:46 PM
#19
This thread is 2 years old. Whilst the general advice about not buying travel insurance from a travel agent & thoroughly reading & understanding ALL of the T&CS remains valid, there may well be new underwriters in the market & some of those operating 2 years ago may not be still underwriting TI.
Make sure you research current companies, condititions & costs applicable to YOU.
Make sure you research current companies, condititions & costs applicable to YOU.
