Macross--I heard that about Germany as well. We just returned from there, and I was just one month post op, so took comfort that if I needed anything that I would be ok.

mms, that is good to know you did ok. He has to have back surgery with about 6 weeks recovery time with therapy so while I want him to have it now before May he is scared so going with another epidural and waiting till June. He is slow moving.

Macross--Yes, surgery isn't to be taken lightly, and if an epidural will get him through that would be great! We were supposed to do our Germany/Prague trip in December but I ended up with gallbladder surgery instead. I did mostly fine, but it was definitely a learning curve.

Just saw this and have been having questions regarding travel insurance. I am mostly concerned with having to cancel due to the Coronavirus . Nobody knows at this point if it will get worse or stabilize in the next 3 months. We are due to leave the end of May and will be traveling to the U.K, Italy, Switzerland and France. I am not interested in any insurance except for covering the costs of our flights and a tour we have planned. I have looked at various policies but none give an amount for the cancel for no reason although I have heard it is expensive.

In checking with airlines, I have found that apparently you can cancel a non - refundable ticket by scheduling another flight within a 12 month period and paying a fee. I suspect that the fees would still be less than the cancel for any reason insurance. I plan on calling British Airways to get clarification and verification. . The usual travel insurance plans do not offer refunds on canceled flights unless it’s a case of death, illness etc. In other words you can’ t cancel for simply not wanting to travel during Coronavirus outbreak,

Does anyone have other suggestions or would be able to offer other solutions ?

@ historytraveler: You should be able to see the cost of any cancel-for-any-reason policy (with and without that particular option) on insuremytrip.

For information about using insuremytrip to find policies that cover CDC warnings (at no extra cost), see post # 8 (and others) of this thread:
Travel insurance in light of the Coronavirus

To get cancel-for-no-reason insurance, be aware that not only do you need to buy the insurance in a tight timeframe after paying the first nonrefundable trip cost, your benefit doesn't always cover the whole trip cost -- the policies I've seen cover 75% of the cost. So changing your mind costs you 25% of the nonrefundable cost of the trip, plus the policy premium.

I also recommend insuremytrip.com for the good service in helping you choose a policy. For reviews of specific policies from providers, most of them say the equivalent of "I didn't have to make a claim but it was sure nice to have the peace of mind afforded me by having the policy" -- there's a way to read reviews ONLY from people who did file a claim, and those are much more relevant reviews.