NK2013

We are going to Morocco via Paris at the end of this month. Travelling on Delta and then on Ryan air with a 6 yr old and an 8 yr old.
2 Questions:
1. Should we buy travel insurance?
2. If yes, what are some good recommendations for travel insurance agencies that will give you the most bang for your buck?

Thanks in advance!

thursdaysd

Define travel insurance.

I rarely buy trip cancellation/interruption insurance, I always carry medical and medical evacuation and repatriation.

I am considering trip cancellation for my next trip, as I will be taking a Hurtigruten cruise with my older sister, so I have her health risks added to mine, plus I have higher than usual up-front costs. I will be comparing policies on insuremytrip.com.

I buy medical and evacuation insurance from https://www2.sevencorners.com/

I would be more concerned about the fine print and the reputation of the company than "bang for your buck".

one2travel2

I think it depends. It may not be necessary in your case but I do believe it becomes more critical as travelers age.

I have rarely bought travel insurance and have traveled to 44 countries; however, on my last trip to Kenya in 2013 my older travel companion was hospitalized with a stroke. It was a big wake up call. Be aware you may not be the one needing the insurance - the issue may be your companion.

I plan to go back to Africa this year and just purchased an annual plan from Allianz which covers any trip for a year. I used insuremytrip.com as a starting point.

Have a wonderful trip!

sandi

For any trip that I prepay for land (besides air, of course) I always purchase trip cancel and interruption, as anything can happen anywhere to anyone. Besides you are traveling with two (2) children who can take ill even prior departure and your plans go haywire. At minimum I'd purchase medical and evacuation, but should flights be cancelled or weather screw up schedules, gotta think of everything.

I travel to Africa often and always purchase insurance as well Augstralia/New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Europe (various countries)... in other words wherever I've visited; for that matter even when I travel from NYC to Toronto (visit brother) I pay the extra $25 to cover insurance as I'll be in another country.

And age has nothing to do with purchase, as I recall many years ago a friends' parents were visiting Paris (then in their 50s and healthy), when her mom tripped on the cobble stones, broke her leg, needed a cast and required extra seats on homebound flight. They didn't have insurance, so her dad had to layout the cost for 1st-class seats to accommodate her. Why I say 'one never knows' Likewise, I've been in airports and seen many travelers with casts on their legs and, no doubt, required changed original seat arrangements... insurance would pick this up.

Admittedly it's an extra costs, but I just consider whatever the amount as part of my overall expenses as would be Visas, inoculations, meds or whatever.

I too use www.insuremytrip.com* to check my options and where I can read what's being offered, even compare policies. On occasion some of my policies have been offered by Seven Corners; others prefer Travel Guard. So you've got some research to do.

*there's an 800# on the site and the agents are very helpful for any queries you have.

Zambezi

Having had several unforeseen travel misadventures in the past five years falling into several categories, I have become a big believer in purchasing travel insurance even though the cost seems excessive. Until I read the replies on this forum, I did not know about "insure my trip," but, for trips after 2015, I will certainly check that Web site. I have used Travel Guard and, with one exception, found that it performed fine. That exception was last September when I was in Burma and TG staff members failed to function efficiently, which caused a great deal of consternation. In the end, TG paid up and I was satisfied with the results. In fact, I have already insured three international trips during 2015 with that business. ZZ

NK2013

Thanks All! It certainly makes sense to buy insurance.

diannelovestravel

I have always purchased Travel Insurance and I don't think it has anything to do with your age. Things happen that can affect your trip and if you have put down a lot of money and then have to possibly pull out, it can be very wrenching..

I am a big fan of Travelex and in particular, I like their Travelex Travel Select plan. I did a lot of research many years ago and compared plans and Travelex consistently offered more value. I like the fact that they cover NON-traveling family members. So for example, if something happens to a family member that is NOT traveling with you and it means that you may have to cancel the trip, there is coverage for that. Plans include medical coverage while traveling, medical evacuation coverage, etc etc..

I recommend to my clients to add the cost of flights into the amount of coverage because change fees are anywhere from $100 -$200 per seat if you have to change your flight. Adding that into the plan is much cheaper that change fees and much cheaper than buying coverage thru the airlines. I would never do that.

Travelex has always been my personal choice (I rep it now as an option for my clients). You can check out squaremouth and compare lots of plans side by side. It's a great site for comparison shopping.

Don't overbuy insurance. Just buy however much, you can't afford to lose. But I definitely think it's worth it.

Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA

diannelovestravel

Oh and I forgot to mention that Travelex Travel Select plan is great for families because children under 18 are free for each paying adult. So in your case, 2 adults paying would provide coverage as well for your 2 children at no additional charge. It's a great plan to check out..
Dianne

TC

Have a look at a family policy on Medjet Assist. They will fly you home if someone is hurt, ill or deceased. No questions asked...if a doctor says you can travel, they will send a plane and medical team to get you. When we travel to out of the way locations, we always carry this. As others have said, for trip cancellation -- insure as much as you can't afford to lose. Also, make sure to read the fine print and know what you are buying. What constitutes a valid reason (by the insurance company) to cancel a trip?