Priceline - Buying Trip Protection, Any Experience?
 

Hi, I'm not sure where to ask this, but I figured PL users are mostly in the US, so this may be an appropriate forum.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the trip protection insurance on PL. I'm concerned about the potential cancellations because of health issues.

Does PL distinguish between existing conditions and emergencies? I tried reading the T&Cs:

"prevented from taking your Hotel Reservation due to your, an Immediate Family Member's, Traveling Companion's, or Business Partner's Sickness, Injury or death or Other Covered Events as defined"

"in the written opinion of the treating Physician, be so disabling as to prevent you from taking your Covered Trip."

It's pretty generic. It seems like a doctor's note is enough, but is this the kind of policy that's hard to get to pay out?

Thanks.

Hi, 111op,

I've taken out their trip cancellation "insurance" in the past. It was only $5 and I did cancel once. No questions were asked. We merely informed them that we had to change our plans, but they could see that we had immediately made reservations for a different date.

I don't know about more recent policies whether a doctor's note will be needed or not. Payout may be stricter these days.

Thanks. I think it's stricter these days -- seems like it basically covers health-related issues only (which is fine with me), but it's not clear to me how much of a fuss they would make if these issues do result in cancellation. But your experience is encouraging.

When we have a huge non refundable deposit or a strict cancellation policy on a rental, we do take out trip cancellation insurance. It also covers a lot of other things.

We usually use Travelguard and have only had one claim. They paid for a broken rear window on the SUV and our car insurance has a large deductible.

Be aware of any "medical coverage" plans and their exclusions in terms of pre-existing conditions.