Travel or Trip Insurance

Yes, we buy insurance for peace of mind, just in case. The insurance companies are all too glad to sell us the insurance policies. But then when it comes time to use them, we find out that the insurance companies are not very happy to pay us. I also hope that I never have to look at the small print or the fine print to find out what does not qualify. I worry about missing a flight because you often can not get your money refunded if you do or you have to pay very high fees to get a replacement ticket. In The United States, there are different prices for different tickets. You pay less if you buy a ticket that is non-refundable and sometimes very high for a ticket that is refundable. So if you are going to buy a non refundable ticket, you want to buy insurance just in case. Otherwise, if you miss your plane or you need to cancel your flight for some reason (and that does happen), you are out the money.

For full-service airlines, I don't worry about missing any flights as a result of the airline's delay or cancellation of the flight as they will compensate or replace the same. If there is another connecting flights for me to take, I will usually check-in from the first airport of departure for the second one at the same time as my first flight, so that my second flight will know that I am coming. They may even have to wait for me if I can still make the leaving plane in case my first flight is delayed. But I have never encountered anything like that. As for point-to-point budget airlines, yes, delay and cancellation is at out own peril for our connecting flight if we buy no insurance. But since the budget airline air ticket price is usually cheaper by 30%-90%, it is just a few dollars more for the insurance to pay. But I have never bought that.

I believe that I was offered insurance through a third party when I bought my last Amtrak trip. I did not look into it. I agree with you that Amtrak will take care of you if you miss a connection because of their fault but what about if you miss your train through your own fault?. What happens if you miss your train because you overslept or got sick or you were late getting to the station? I think that the insurance covers those kind of situations. I was more thinking about flying. If you buy the lowest priced ticket, sometimes you just out and out lose all your money if you miss your flight or have to change your plans. Or you have to pay an exorbitant fee to change plans. You can buy insurance when you book your trip that SUPPOSEDLY pays you back something. I say SUPPOSEDLY because you never know until you try.

Thanks for your advice. I know that you are a seasoned and very adventurous traveler. I follow your discussions and even your responses. I do not always respond or comment because I have traveled so little that I do not always have anything to add. I admire you.

Who is Clark Howard and why does he talk a lot about travel insurance? When you book a trip through Amtrak or any airline, you are offered insurance. I guess that Clark Howard is advising buying it that way but instead going through an independent company. I am going to call Discover or AARP and ask them for more information about travel insurance. They offer some kind of service when it comes to travel insurance.

Do you buy your insurance through the airline when you book your trip? or do you buy it through a third party? Have you ever had to use it? Thanks for your info.

I believe that there are all kinds of travel insurance policies available. I was thinking about the type of insurance that you buy online when you book a trip. For instance, all the airlines offer insurance that you can purchase when you are booking a trip online. It is relatively inexpensive like $15.00 or so. You have to purchase it at the time that you buy your ticket. I believe that it covers you in case you miss your flight or a connecting flight or if the airline loses your baggage. Amtrak also offers insurance similar to the airlines. I always stress about missing my flight or train. A friend buys this type of insurance when she travels and suggested that I do so also. Then I believe that there are other insurances available for longer and more complicated travel adventures.