Do You Purchase Travel Insurance?
Jan 16, 2022, 4:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Ex-Bonvoyed, Hyatt, Hilton, BR, AC, AA
Posts: 1,294
I book fully refundable airfare and hotels, so I don't buy anything pre-departure, but do buy a good amount for medical, evacuation, quarantine etc. coverage after the trip commences.
Jan 16, 2022, 7:57 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
Just got my first Annual policy though Squaremouth that also covers COVID stuff and 1 million in evac. That was Early November. Did Mexico with the family over thanksgiving, a Christmas market river cruise in Europe (fantastic). Next week, St. Thomas, and Antarctica in early Feb. A land tour in Switzerland in April, a Med cruise in May, and Galapagos in September. So yes. For the first time. Also now on Medicare, so need medical coverage outside the US. Geotrekker choice.
When we do our Africa thing in 2023 will go Global Rescue.
When we do our Africa thing in 2023 will go Global Rescue.
Jan 16, 2022, 10:01 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,855
No. Insurance is a net loss for more than 99% of society. If you ask about any type of insurance, a bunch of people will agree it is a good idea. People love to feel protected. It's like life insurance that many will swear by because of the emotional family ploy. Yet less than 1% get to use it. 99% of people are better off investing that money themselves. To me, that is much better odds at providing for my family.
Many people think travel insurance is a 100% refund at your slightest inconvenience and it suddenly has new payments and benefits due to COVID. It can be beneficial in some circumstances. Including high risk trips and people. Know what you are buying. Know your risk. Know what is not covered. I'm not a huge fan of AMEX Platinum. However, it's medical evac benefit is an actual option I'd recommend looking into.
I'm younger, healthy, and haven't been doing any crazy, exotic, international travel lately. My premium CC's travel coverage is plenty sufficient for me.
Many people think travel insurance is a 100% refund at your slightest inconvenience and it suddenly has new payments and benefits due to COVID. It can be beneficial in some circumstances. Including high risk trips and people. Know what you are buying. Know your risk. Know what is not covered. I'm not a huge fan of AMEX Platinum. However, it's medical evac benefit is an actual option I'd recommend looking into.
I'm younger, healthy, and haven't been doing any crazy, exotic, international travel lately. My premium CC's travel coverage is plenty sufficient for me.
Jan 17, 2022, 12:07 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: OZ Diamond, QR Gold, HH Gold, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 669
I buy medical insurance with evacuation and repatriation cover.
I also buy airfares and car hire on Amex charge card which provides some cover.
My bank account and Amex cards also cover some travel disruption.
My Amex also provides health insurance but only for trips of upto 90 days and I travel much longer than that so it is pretty useless for that. My current trip is now over two years thanks to Covid.
I also buy airfares and car hire on Amex charge card which provides some cover.
My bank account and Amex cards also cover some travel disruption.
My Amex also provides health insurance but only for trips of upto 90 days and I travel much longer than that so it is pretty useless for that. My current trip is now over two years thanks to Covid.
Jan 17, 2022, 1:48 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,962
No. Insurance is a net loss for more than 99% of society. If you ask about any type of insurance, a bunch of people will agree it is a good idea. People love to feel protected. It's like life insurance that many will swear by because of the emotional family ploy. Yet less than 1% get to use it. 99% of people are better off investing that money themselves. To me, that is much better odds at providing for my family.
Travel insurance is a whole other ball game, however, especially for those of us from countries where medical insurance is simply unnecessary. If you were to take ill while travelling to the USA without insurance, you could easily lose everything. So, I'll pay up, hope to be in the 99% who don't need to claim, but be reassured that if I'm in the 1% it won't be a financial disaster.
Jan 18, 2022, 12:16 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,243
I buy medical insurance for international trips. I’ve never needed it and hope I never will. But the cost of falling ill or being seriously injured is too big and I’ve never had coverage that extends beyond the US border.
Jan 18, 2022, 5:00 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
it's about the risks you're willing to take during any particular trip ... and these can vary significantly with age, destination/s, mobility, credit card coverage, and of course your overall financial picture
Jan 25, 2022, 8:37 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 83
I buy medical insurance with evacuation and repatriation cover.
I also buy airfares and car hire on Amex charge card which provides some cover.
My bank account and Amex cards also cover some travel disruption.
My Amex also provides health insurance but only for trips of upto 90 days and I travel much longer than that so it is pretty useless for that. My current trip is now over two years thanks to Covid.
I also buy airfares and car hire on Amex charge card which provides some cover.
My bank account and Amex cards also cover some travel disruption.
My Amex also provides health insurance but only for trips of upto 90 days and I travel much longer than that so it is pretty useless for that. My current trip is now over two years thanks to Covid.
The same for me - medical insurance with evacuation and repatriation. Use Amex for car rental and Chase cards for anything else - other prepaid costs.