TechoEP

Hi there,

First trip to Europe. Need a little help... what travel insurance would be recommended? Mainly stuck between choosing from Travel Insured, Travel Guard, and CSA. Have looked through insuremytrip.com and squaremouth.com. I would be buying insurance within two weeks after booking.

Thanks again!

thursdaysd

What do you want to insure? I usually self-insure my plane fare, and book accommodation I can cancel without penalty. My medical insurance covers me for emergencies abroad, so all I buy is evacuation/repatriation insurance, usually from tenweb.com

TechoEP

Thanks for the tips which I shall remember for next time but I had booked via an agent(next time will do this myself) and don't have medical coverage.

Underhill

We used Allianz (which used to be called something else) and had to file a claim. It was processed reasonably swiftly and without problems.

Tinaindenver

We always get trip cancellation insurance because we have elderly parents. Also, I once had to cancel atrip about a week before the planned departure because I was diagnosed with something requiring immediate attention. I had no cancellation insurance and lost various hotel deposits. It is almost impossible to book hotels abroad that are cancel label without penalty. Last fall I had to postpone a trip due to work and lost a few deposits and train tickets i had bought for Italy. My Travel Guard policy included cancellation for work. They paid the claim very quickly.

thursdaysd

"It is almost impossible to book hotels abroad that are cancel label [sic] without penalty"

I don't find it difficult at all. Try booking.com and venere.com, and booking directly with the hotel. I rarely have a cancelation penalty - aside from the VERY rare occasions when I prepay.

Techo - I have no idea what you mean about booking through a TA. You can still buy (or not buy) your own insurance. You should certainly seriously consider medical as well as evacuation/repatriation.

MeganH33

We always buy Travel Guard when we go on vacation. They have 24 hour customer service which was nice and the claims process was really quick!

Underhill

TravelGuard was the firm we bought insurance from in 2010, and a very good thing it was. Because of a terrible storm in Europe we were delayed in reaching Nice until 9:00 p.m. (should have been noon), and our luggage did not arrive at all. Fortunately the TG insurance included baggage coverage, and an agent with TG handled tracing the baggage and ultimately getting it delivered to us. Great service! Otherwise we would have run up an even higher cell-phone bill trying to find our missing belongings.

thursdaysd

"even higher cell phone bill"

I mostly use Skype, which even lets you call 1-800 numbers which otherwise don't work abroad.

Anne_S

I have always used Travel Guard. I've found they have super-responsive 24/7 travel assistance(a lifesaver when needing to coordinate a medical emergency in Rome) and great coverage options. When I needed to be reimbursed for medical expenses, it only took a few weeks after filing the claim. Good deal.

Christina

I use what seems the best for the price on www.insuremytrip.com, limiting it to the companies I know. Usually it is Travelex or CSA or maybe Travel Guard. I've never had to use it, so can't say, but I did have a friend who had CSA and problems with a lost piece of luggage and she said they were very responsive and paid for everything with no problem.

TechoEP

Thanks everyone. Stuck with Travel Insured for this one.

dgassa

Americian Express lets you pick the coverage you want.

MommaDova

Has anyone tried World Normads? I'm contemplating between them and Allizan Travel Ins.