Does everyone on my trip have to buy the same insurance? I'm confused.
 

There are 5 of us going to Italy this summer. I am the travel planner. I want to get insurance now because I would like to put a deposit on an apartment. When I check, it seems that everyone of the travelers need to be included when I purchase the insurance. They were thinking that they would just reimburse me for deposits as needed, I would get insurance, and they would get insurance only for their flights. Made sense to me, but when I check travel insurance it seems I need to include everyone. Is that true? Am I doing something wrong? Help?
Thank you so much.

If you are willing to take on the responsibility for all the rent on the apartment, I don't see why they need to get their insurance until they contract for travel expense related to the trip. If one person can't make the trip, only their flights would be reimbursable to them...the four of you left would still have to pay the full rental cost of the apartment. I don't believe you would be reimbursed for the non-traveling companion's share of lodging costs.

If one or more of your travel companions would not be able to go would you still make the trip?
Are the travel companions related to you?

Last year when we traveled to Portugal with friends I was advised to purchase a specific type of policy while traveling with non relatives.
Because if they cancel and you want to cancel certain policies would not cover your expenses.
This was pointed out to me by the agent of insurancemytrip.com.
So. Something to consider.

It may be an issue of coverage when a traveling companion is sick or dies, and that is what you are seeing. If you aren't concerned about that coverage, I don't see what difference it makes (agree with uhohbusted). YOur policy can cover the deposit in full, if you make it. That is what is going to make the cost high, that amount of money.

I wouldn't bother to buy insurance just to cover an airline ticket, myself, unless they would be out the full cost of the ticket if they didn't take it. I've never had a ticket like that, mine are transferrable with a change fee, even on economy flights. If you are buying frm a consolidator, though, that might make sense.

If all of you are staying in the same apartment, only those insured would be reimbursed in case of cancellation for a covered reason. You would have to document a claim with a copy of the rental agreement (verifying that paid amounts are not refundable), which would likely also list the number of occupants.

If you pay the entire rental, and anyone backs out who is not insured or the reason is not covered, you would not be reimbursed for their share.

If it were me, I'd collect the money from them before turning it over, and not wait for them to reimburse you, and let them know the cancellation specifics (whether it is refundable or not).

I am spinning in circles over this. I will most likely at this point, collect their money, pay the deposits, and tell them that they need to buy research and buy their own insurance or just forget it and eat the cost if they have to cancel. There are so many factors with 5 people. Three of them are from one family so if they have to cancel, yikes. Maybe I will just get over being a glass half empty person and just say forget the insurance and take our chances.

If you do take responsibility for payments and take your chances, you'll be the one with losses.

You'd be nuts not to collect the money from them up front and take the risk, unless you can afford it and don't mind.

I'd also wonder whether they're likely to back out for a reason not even covered by insurance.

Unless you want to be on thehook then everyone needs to buy their own insurance that covers everything.

If one of the party has a problem and cancels and they have flight insurance - then they would be reimbursed only for that. There would be no reimbursement for any of the other arrangements - since the person was not insured for those. Who would pay the extra money for hotels/apts and other arrangements?

Also, if those traveling are not relatives and one becomes sick and cancels - typically the other won;t be reimbursed for caneling too. (The problem needs to be either with the traveler or immediate family.)

Yes, I agree now that everyone needs their own insurance. I emailed everyone and told them they either need to get their own insurance and/or agree to cover their portion of lodging even if they have to cancel. I will also get the deposits up front. Thanks!

They also need to check the fine print of what is covered and why. changing your mind doesn't count.

Did you call and talk to someone at Insure My Trip?