What's the best travel insurance?
 

We are traveling to Italy for two weeks in October and have a nonrefundable apartment rental and other fixed expenses. What are the best travel insurance companies? How much coverage?

Hello portlandor, if you go to www.insuremytrip.com you will see quite a list of of companies that offer various types of travel insurance. Many Fodorite's recommend this website.

First, you need to determine whether any of the reasons you might have to cancel, delay, etc., your trip would be covered. Many people assume that purchasing travel insurance covers them for all contingencies. Big mistake.

Next, IGNORE the slick promises on the insurer's websites. The ONLY thing that counts is what is stated in the Certificate of Insurance. For many insurer's, you can review same before you by. With some, you can review same after you buy and receive and cancel for a full refund after you buy if you are not satisfied with the coverage.

Then, ever so carefully read all the EXCLUSIONS, then all the REQUIREMENTS (flight must be delayed by X hours, etc.).

Also, make sure you understand everything - and NOT what you think/hope is printed. You can phone for clarification of coverage, but the answers DO NOT MATTER - only the Certificate of Insurance. "I was told" will not get a claim paid.

When you select a plan, one of the initial questions is the total amount of your trip. Not all fixed and/or prepaid expenses are necessarily covered. And, it's essential to understand when the travel insurance policy is SECONDARY to other types of coverage/benefits you may have.

There are some tricky, very tricky, provisions. For example, some flight insurance only policies cover only a change fee, and not the total fare.

Finally, have a look at this:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35115484

We have used both Travel Guard (Protect Assist) and Access America. The only claim we've had was with Access America and we were very pleased with their handling of the situation. We always want the pre-existing waiver which is available through both these companies (must purchase the insurance within 15 days of date of travel bookings.) Another important thing for us is medical evacuation -- the amount and exactly where they evacuate you to (nearest medical facility or home). You can probably guess our age bracket. LOL

As the other poster said, you must first determine what you need and then read, carefully, the DOC of the insurance before you buy.

Bookmarking. Thank you!