Do you buy travel insurance?

Friend of mine had a stroke while on a cruise last fall. Fell and broke all three ankle bones. A couple of weeks in the hospital in Chile for her, and in a hotel for him. Air ambulence flight back to the US was over $200,000.

They were glad to have good travel insurance.

Ouch...... that's enough for a heart attack.
 
Would you mind sharing the credit card (and fee) you used which has good travel insurance coverage? I plan a 100 miles hiking trip in Europe in July and thinking about insurance.
I'm not @Aerides (obviously) but I'd bet it's the same as mine. Chase Sapphire Reserve (Preferred has less coverage). Or maybe Amex Platinum/Gold. I'm not familiar with the benefits on those 2.

For Sapphire, below shows my comparison spreadsheet from several months ago. Trip cancellation/interruption is per person/per trip/annual. Rental car coverage is primary, unlike most other cards. Note the annual travel credit is important because it applies immediately and effectively reduces the annual cost of the cards. I've left out many more details, you really need to dig through the fine print brochures online.

Chase Sapphire PreferredChase Sapphire Reserve
Cost$ 95$ 550
Length per trip?60 days
Trip Cancellation$10k/$20k/$40k$10k/$20k/$40k
Trip Interruption$10k/$20k/$40k$10k/$20k/$40k
Trip Changenono
Emergency Medical/Dentalno$ 2,500
Emergency Transportationno$ 100,000
Baggage Loss$ 3,000$ 3,000
Baggage Delay$ 500$ 500
Travel Delay$ 500$ 500
24 Hour Hotlineyesyes
Conciergenono
Rental Caryes - unknown $$ 75,000
Cancel Trip Anytimenono
Travel Accident Insurance$ 500,000$ 1,000,000
Cost for additional userzero$ 75
Bonus points$ 60,000$ 60,000
Annual refund/credit$ 50$ 300
Lyft Pink memberno2 years
DoorDash member1 year1 year
DoorDash credit through 12/2024no$5/mo
Priority Pass select (airport lounges)no1 year
Chase Travel air/hotels/car5x points5x/10x/10x points
Lyft through 3/20255x points10x points
Travel2x points3x points
Dining incl takeout/some delivery3x points3x points
Online groceries5x points1x points
Amazon
All other1x points1x points
Points redeemed100 to $1/$1.25100 to $1/$1.50
Points transferredyesyes
Global Entry/PreCheck/NEXUS creditno$ 100
Roadside assistanceyes - full cost$50/incident
Extended warrantyyesyes
Purchase protectionyesyes
No foreign transaction feesyesyes
 
I'd report that I was recently very disappointed with credit card coverage specifically for trip delay. This is on a Chase card. Our situation was a Lufthansa flight (booked through United and on a codeshare) arrived about 25 minutes late after leaving Frankfurt late because of waiting for connecting passengers, Then baggage delivery for customs took at least 30-45 minutes. So our legal connection was pretty much blown. But then United closed the post-customs bag transfer early, stranding us in Chicago.

I tried to get United to fix it. They were great about rebooking but would not give us a hotel because it was not their fault. I agree, it was Lufthansa's fault.

I tried t file a delay claim on my United card but it only lets you do it for vert specific reasons - hijacking, inclement weather, strike, or equipment failure. In our case these did not apply. It was simple airline incompetence! So our delay was not covered.

I have some time to file with Lufthansa but my loss is about $300 and I'm not sure my aggravation and hassle for the claim is worth it.
 
Frankfurt is nuts. Everything is delayed, all the time.
 
I'm not @Aerides (obviously) but I'd bet it's the same as mine. Chase Sapphire Reserve (Preferred has less coverage). Or maybe Amex Platinum/Gold. I'm not familiar with the benefits on those 2.

For Sapphire, below shows my comparison spreadsheet from several months ago. Trip cancellation/interruption is per person/per trip/annual. Rental car coverage is primary, unlike most other cards. Note the annual travel credit is important because it applies immediately and effectively reduces the annual cost of the cards. I've left out many more details, you really need to dig through the fine print brochures online.

Chase Sapphire PreferredChase Sapphire Reserve
Cost$ 95$ 550
Length per trip?60 days
Trip Cancellation$10k/$20k/$40k$10k/$20k/$40k
Trip Interruption$10k/$20k/$40k$10k/$20k/$40k
Trip Changenono
Emergency Medical/Dentalno$ 2,500
Emergency Transportationno$ 100,000
Baggage Loss$ 3,000$ 3,000
Baggage Delay$ 500$ 500
Travel Delay$ 500$ 500
24 Hour Hotlineyesyes
Conciergenono
Rental Caryes - unknown $$ 75,000
Cancel Trip Anytimenono
Travel Accident Insurance$ 500,000$ 1,000,000
Cost for additional userzero$ 75
Bonus points$ 60,000$ 60,000
Annual refund/credit$ 50$ 300
Lyft Pink memberno2 years
DoorDash member1 year1 year
DoorDash credit through 12/2024no$5/mo
Priority Pass select (airport lounges)no1 year
Chase Travel air/hotels/car5x points5x/10x/10x points
Lyft through 3/20255x points10x points
Travel2x points3x points
Dining incl takeout/some delivery3x points3x points
Online groceries5x points1x points
Amazon
All other1x points1x points
Points redeemed100 to $1/$1.25100 to $1/$1.50
Points transferredyesyes
Global Entry/PreCheck/NEXUS creditno$ 100
Roadside assistanceyes - full cost$50/incident
Extended warrantyyesyes
Purchase protectionyesyes
No foreign transaction feesyesyes
Can you explain a senecios where annual travel credit applied?
 
I was contemplating getting travel insurance for my trip to Lesbos.
 
I was contemplating getting travel insurance for my trip to Lesbos.
Get something reputable for medical and evacuation, at a minimum. I love the Greek islands, but medical care on them is minimal. Anything big requires a life-flight back to Athens (or maybe Izmir, Turkey in the case of Lesbos, I don't know.) You want to be covered.
 
Get something reputable for medical and evacuation, at a minimum. I love the Greek islands, but medical care on them is minimal. Anything big requires a life-flight back to Athens (or maybe Izmir, Turkey in the case of Lesbos, I don't know.) You want to be covered.
I don't know. The trip will probably play out like a tragic Greek myth, as per usual for me.
 
Which credit card do you use for this? Thanks
I did an audit 2 years ago, and the Chase Sapphire was the best card. They had a $95 and $495 fee, with the difference being a double of insurance (and lounge access). I've been very happy just to use this, but I got this card specifically for this reason. I also feel they will not "screw me" on insurance if it is a gray area, as I am a big customer of thiers via the card and some other activity. It seems single insurance policies you have no leverage with.
 
I did an audit 2 years ago, and the Chase Sapphire was the best card. They had a $95 and $495 fee, with the difference being a double of insurance (and lounge access). I've been very happy just to use this, but I got this card specifically for this reason. I also feel they will not "screw me" on insurance if it is a gray area, as I am a big customer of thiers via the card and some other activity. It seems single insurance policies you have no leverage with.
I would have thought the opposite, that if you buy an insurnace policy you are going to get better coverage than relying on a throw-in card benefit
 
The credit card subcontracts an insurance company/specific policy (many times even the same companies, like Allianz). In either case the policies are the policies - But with Chase they act as your "broker" if you have an issue. I like that better than just the insurance co. The Chase benny's are here: Guide to Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance | Chase. But note: there is no medical. Reserve does have evacuation.
 
For Sapphire, below shows my comparison spreadsheet from several months ago.
This post is a perfect example of what frustrates me about trying to buy travel insurance...most of it is cr*p. Most are not insuring against a significant loss. Many are near zero chance of happening along with very low value if one bothers to file a claim, which I probably wouldn't).

There are lots of "value perks" that are not insurance. And certainly those are worth netting against the annual fee.

I liked the "order to buy" for the various types of insurance, listed earlier. That got me thinking (danger, Will Robinson), that "there oughta be a law" that puts the significant comparison specs in a box, and all sellers of travel insurance would have to make that box available to prospective buyers. As it is, yes, I can read through the fine print and attempt to pull out the essential details while ignoring the cr*p, but it's more than I feel like doing. Maybe I can write-up exactly what I want covered and ask an LLM to highlight portions of an insurance contract that suggest what I want is indeed covered. Then I wouldn't need to read every word of fine-print.
 
I would have thought the opposite, that if you buy an insurnace policy you are going to get better coverage than relying on a throw-in card benefit
Travelers are a target customer for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. It has a big annual fee and provides the benefits that travelers want most, like lounge access, Global Entry, and good insurance. The travel-related stuff is not a "throw-in benefit"--it's the main benefit, as I see it, and you pay a big fee for it. Pack your passport and your Sapphire Reserve card.
 
This post is a perfect example of what frustrates me about trying to buy travel insurance...most of it is cr*p. Most are not insuring against a significant loss. Many are near zero chance of happening along with very low value if one bothers to file a claim, which I probably wouldn't).

There are lots of "value perks" that are not insurance. And certainly those are worth netting against the annual fee.

I liked the "order to buy" for the various types of insurance, listed earlier. That got me thinking (danger, Will Robinson), that "there oughta be a law" that puts the significant comparison specs in a box, and all sellers of travel insurance would have to make that box available to prospective buyers. As it is, yes, I can read through the fine print and attempt to pull out the essential details while ignoring the cr*p, but it's more than I feel like doing. Maybe I can write-up exactly what I want covered and ask an LLM to highlight portions of an insurance contract that suggest what I want is indeed covered. Then I wouldn't need to read every word of fine-print.
Absolutely agree with this. Over the years we have looked at a number of policies. Three week, sixty days, seven months.

Our experience is to than in order to understand what you need is to speak to someone who is actually in the travel insurance underwriting business. Compare coverages and dollar limits. Dollar limits may appear generous to someone who has absolutely no idea of the cost of say, a private medical flight from Europe to North America w/medical staff in attendance. Or if you are hospitalized for several weeks will the insurance cover your partners accomodation costs, transport home, etc:confused:

Someone in the travel insurance business can give you some examples as well as explain the pitfalls of exceptions hidden in the fine print.

Compare the coverage and coverage amounts provided by the card with those amounts that are typically included direct from travel underwriters.

Very carefully look at and understand the gotchas. Some policies exclude coverage for certain activities that they deem to be dangerous even though the average person may not think they are. Others may have exclusions/limits based on age, medication regime, previous hospitalizations, or failure to have a recent physical exam, etc.

Just about every premium credit card we have seen has a long list of 'benefits'. That long list a purposeful attempt to wrap one in a blanket of security and comfort. Along with leading one to make coverage assumptions without bothering to look at or undestand the relevent T's and C's. As above, look closely at the actual value to you of those benefits, what benefits you might use, and how often. And check those benefits on line with the card provider or insurer. Don't depend on what the pleasant CSR at the end of the phone line implies when you call for clarification. He or she will be working from a standard drawer statement/sales pitch.

Whatever you do, never assume that the benefits and/or the benefits that you signed up for three years ago are still in force. Or that extra fine print exceptions have been added. We routinely check our policy every January for changes.

The time to really understand your coverage is not when you are hospitalized for a serious medical event somewhere and your partner is anxiously trying to understand exactly what, if any, travel health insurance you have. Or when you are seeking reimbursement for monies spent after you return home.
 
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We purchase things like flights and hotels on credit cards with travel insurance benefits, but purchase additional coverage that also includes comprehensive medical benefits; hospitalizations, surgeries, air ambulances, etc. The policy amount is also sufficient to cover prepaid expenses such as flights and hotels in case of illness or injury, so losing money isn't an issue if our health is at stake.

I've found Squaremouth to be a great place to compare policies and select the specific options needed. We purchased a policy for our ski trip to Japan next month that covers participation in "extreme sports" since, as was mentioned previously, things like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, surfings and other typical vacation activities will void the medical care benefits in most credit card insurance policies.

When we return, I'd like to purchase an annual travel policy, since we have many more international trips in the next 12, but I'm not sure if they sell one that includes the kinds of sports I mentioned above. Any suggestions?
 
We use Squaremouth and find it great also. We typically only buy the evacuation and major-medical coverages, partly because some of our trip providers require it (e.g. adventure cruises to places like Antarctica or the Svalbard Islands). The cost for those coverages is surprisingly reasonable. Much less than what they charge for trip interruption and such.
 
Can you explain a senecios where annual travel credit applied?
Any charge that qualifies as a travel category expense. So instead of earning points on the first $300 of travel expenses (on the Reserve card) you get an immediate credit. I believe we used ours up between a taxi ride into Athens and a week of parking back home but I'd have to check my bill to be sure. Plus there are some decent benefits that whittle the annual fee down further if you use them, like Lyft and Doordash.
 
I was contemplating getting travel insurance for my trip to Lesbos.
Everything I've read including accounts on this forum, says that Allianz is excellent. Since we didn't have our Sapphire card yet for a trip to Greece in October, we bought policies from them.
 
I did an audit 2 years ago, and the Chase Sapphire was the best card. They had a $95 and $495 fee, with the difference being a double of insurance (and lounge access). I've been very happy just to use this, but I got this card specifically for this reason. I also feel they will not "screw me" on insurance if it is a gray area, as I am a big customer of thiers via the card and some other activity. It seems single insurance policies you have no leverage with.
I specifically got it for the insurance, too. Everything else is just gravy.
 
As I posted earlier, I have the United Club Infinity card. I picked that one over the Saphire as I am a lifetime Gold member having over a Million miles. I always fly united. My mother-in-law went into Hospice and we cancled a big family cruise to Alaska. They fully refunded me $2250 for 9 non-refundable Cruise deposits. It took 8 days from the time I filed a claim to be approved.

It also has $150K evac coverage.

This makes me feel I made the right choice getting this card. If I go outside the US, I will look at Medical coverage which is less than $100 a year or less for a trip. I would compare this with where my Anthem medical insurance has international coverage, which is most everywhere in Europe I want to go or in the future when I have Medicare with extra evac insurance along with medical
 
This post is a perfect example of what frustrates me about trying to buy travel insurance...most of it is cr*p. Most are not insuring against a significant loss. Many are near zero chance of happening along with very low value if one bothers to file a claim, which I probably wouldn't).

There are lots of "value perks" that are not insurance. And certainly those are worth netting against the annual fee.

I liked the "order to buy" for the various types of insurance, listed earlier. That got me thinking (danger, Will Robinson), that "there oughta be a law" that puts the significant comparison specs in a box, and all sellers of travel insurance would have to make that box available to prospective buyers. As it is, yes, I can read through the fine print and attempt to pull out the essential details while ignoring the cr*p, but it's more than I feel like doing. Maybe I can write-up exactly what I want covered and ask an LLM to highlight portions of an insurance contract that suggest what I want is indeed covered. Then I wouldn't need to read every word of fine-print.
I totally agree. What I posted was not the first time I had a delayed flight. I have rarely bought travel insurance in the past. In this case I did not buy anything. I just used the situation to see what would happen with the credit card "benefits" I already had. I was NOT impressed. I concede that the inclement weather benefits might be useful but the other covered reasons are rare these days.

As we get older and travel to potentially dicier places I have signed us up for Geoblue medical insurance for overseas and Global Rescue for possible emergency medical evacuation or return of remains but I hope I am wasting my money on those.
 
One the best travel policies we purchased was for six months of continuous international travel. When we decided to delay returning home we were able to easily extend the policy on line. It took a lot of shopping and in the end it was offered by an experience travel insurance firm.

It did not cover what was referred to as extreme sports. Twelve years ago. We were 61 and 58 at the time. No idea if it is now offered or if it depends on age, etc.

What it did do was cover us for exactly the finanicial risk that felt exposed to. It included an option to reduce the policy premium by 30 percent if we accepted a $3K or $5K deductable (cannot remember which). This was perfect for us since we are not worried about a small medical bill. Our perception of financial risk are the much larger medical and evac costs.
 
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@brett do you remember what that company was?
It was/is a Canadian travel insurer based in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

It is now called Tugo.

Our six month policy also comprehended the first sixty days comprehensive out of country medical/evac policy that was a benefit of my former employers DB plan!

Essentially we needed coverage from day 61 throught to day 180 or so....plus we subsequently added extra days to that en route.
 
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