Alaska - Trip Insurance
 

Going to Alaska in June 2004. We've already booked all of the accomodations. I was just wondering when to book the following:

1) Rental Car
2) Flights
3) Sight seeing tours (ie Kenai Fords Boat tour).

My concern is that especially with flights, if we need to cancel at the last minute we will be stuck (since tickets are non-refundable). What has been your experience?

Also would you suggest trip insurance?

Thanks.

1. Rental car - book now but check frequently for better deals. You can cancel any time

2. Flights - on arrival, there is ALWAYS space available. When you arrive there make sure the weather is accepatble for flying

3. Sight seeing tours - On arrival, as with flights, there is ALWAYS space available espaecially if you are going in June before all crowds arrive. This has been our experience when traveling in Alaska every year for the last 25 years.

We never get insurance, after all Anchorage, Alaska has great medical facilities and doctors are the first class. Your insurance will be accepted

We always get insurance if we have to pre-pay significant amounts. I have elderly parents, and would cancel a trip if aomething happened to them or my grown children.

Not everyone's medical insurance would cover them out of state; check with your individual carrier.

Who did you purchase trip insurance with?

My medical insurance coverage is fine.

Thanks

Go to www.insuremytrip.com. It will give you information on trip insurance, compare plans, and give you an idea of which companies are out there & what they offer.

I have purchased from TravelSafe myself in the past, as they seem reasonably priced and cover everything I need. I have not had a claim, so I have no experience how that would go! My main concern is if I have a large pre-paid amount that I would lose if I had to cancel the trip. That is my guideline for whether I get insurance for a particular trip or not - if it's more than I can afford/want to lose, I insure; if it's a small trip with minimal pre-paid amounts, I won't worry. If I think I need it, I try to buy the minimum possible from a (hopefully!) reputable company.