Is trip protection a waste of money?

[Mai72]

I just ordered my tickets from Priceline today. They offer trip protection for $34.00. I have until 6/11 4:00pm to purchase before it expires.

Is it worth it or is it a waste of money.

 

[highland145]

How much is the trip?

 

[FleshLight]

Can you self insure those unexpected costs otherwise? If not, buy insurance.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Depends. We always use it for expensive/international trips because my wife gets sick often. One trip she slipped down some stairs and really banged up her legs. Trip insurance paid for all our out-of-pocket medical costs (around a couple thousand), after our primary health insurance paid their part first. We also had a family member pass away during another trip in Europe. We finished that trip, but before arriving at that decision, I was able to verify that our prepaid expenses for the rest of that trip would have been covered (hotels, rail tickets, transfers, etc..).

We found calling travel guard directly was cheaper than buying insurance through i.e. priceline, kayak, etc...

Most people don't really need it though.

 

[MongGrel]

My wife used to manage a large travel agency and say it's definitely worth it. I always just let her handle those things.

She said to check out Allianz for it.

She said Travel Guard is good also.

She's seen people lose thousands not having it, and for covering 100's of thousands if something bad happens, to cover things with it.

*edit*

She asked where you were going, I believe it was back to Korea, as soon as I said that she said hell yes.

She said to call or book online with Allianz, get Medical Coverage, and Medical Evacuation.

 

[Mai72]

How much is the trip?

The trip cost me $1,000

Philadelphia to Bangkok, Thailand

 

[MongGrel]

She did it for 20 years in managing a large agency, I'd trust my wife on this one for what it's worth

 

[Mai72]

My wife used to manage a large travel agency and say it's definitely worth it. I always just let her handle those things.

She said to check out Allianz for it.

She said Travel Guard is good also.

She's seen people lose thousands not having it, and for covering 100's of thousands if something bad happens, to cover things with it.

*edit*

She asked where you were going, I believe it was back to Korea, as soon as I said that she said hell yes.

She said to call or book online with Allianz, get Medical Coverage, and Medical Evacuation.

Hey Mongrel. I'm actually going to Thailand for possibly a year. It depends if I decide to work in South Korea, but that's not until September.

2 Options:

1) I will be in Thailand until September and then it's off to South Korea.

2) I decide to work in Thailand for at least a year.

Thanks!

 

[Printer Bandit]

$34 is nothing. i'd go for it for peace of mind.

 

[Mai72]

She did it for 20 years in managing a large agency, I'd trust my wife on this one for what it's worth

Of course.

The thing is I'm going to be in Asia for at least a year. This isn't just a 2 week vacation.

 

[MongGrel]

Now the wife asking me all kinds of questions after telling her Bangkok, shes in travel agent mode.

Are you staying in a hotel? If you need to cover those and just the ticket. US Citizen?

Anyways, her advice was to call Allianz and I guess they'd ask you the same stuff.

She seems a bit miffed at me now as she used to do these things for people instead of asking her advice, I'm leaving her alone

 

[cabri]

Will they cover you for that long of a time other than the actual travel itinerary date windows

 

[smackababy]

Of course.

The thing is I'm going to be in Asia for at least a year. This isn't just a 2 week vacation.

You are spend $1000 for a one way ticket, what is another $34 in case something happens last minute and you can't make it have to delay the flight? Want to be out $1000?

 

[MongGrel]

Once I told her that she said oh hell at first you can't get insurance for a year.

Then she said I take that back, there is a long term policy.

She still recommends calling Allianz.

Said to tell them what you're up too and they'd more than likely hook ya up.

 

[Mai72]

Now the wife asking me all kinds of questions after telling her Bangkok, shes in travel agent mode.

Are you staying in a hotel? If you need to cover those and just the ticket. US Citizen?

Anyways, here advice was to call Allianz and I guess they'd ask you the same stuff.

She seems a bit ow as she used to do these things for people instead of asking her advice, I'm leaving her alone

I'm living with my girlfriend in Bangkok. I have a double entry visa which allows me to stay in Thailand for 180 days. I also have a job lined up as well, so if I take the job I can stay there one year. I might go to Korea in September but that's up in the air. I live in NJ.

The trip protection from Priceline only covers the flight. It doesn't cover my time in Thailand.

Tell your wife I said "Thank you."

 

[Mai72]

Once I told her that she said oh hell at first you can't get insurance for a year.

Then she said I take that back, there is a long term policy.

She still recommends calling Allianz.

Said to tell them what you're up too and they'd more than likely hook ya up.

Awesome. I will look into it.

 

[Mai72]

Will they cover you for that long of a time other than the actual travel itinerary date windows

That's for the actual flight.

Not the time that I'm spending and living in Thailand.

 

[MongGrel]

She said "you're welcome, I'll send ya a bill"

I think shes a bit frazzled tonight

Glad to help man.

 

[MrColin]

It depends on your risk of not taking the trip.

 

[ponyo]

Of course it's a waste of money. $34 to insure $1,000. I bet you buy extended warranties too.

 

[Slew Foot]

I'm living with my "girlfriend" in Bangkok.

Confucious says: Man who has sex in Thailand, going to Bangkok.

 

[rsutoratosu]

my boss went to london and someone slam the door in her face, broke her nose.. luckily she had coverage.. her doctor in US also said dont let anyone there touch your nose (as in UK doctors)..

she didn't even check in, went straight into the airport and flew back to US

 

[Midwayman]

Only if its international travel. Once you leave the US your health insurance usually won't pay dick. If you get hurt in a 3rd world country you want to be able to get medivac'd back to the US. If the trip is really expensive, if its to a 3rd world destination, if I'm booking really far in advance, I'll typically get the insurance. It also somewhat depends on the cancellation policy of the company I'm traveling with. Inside the US I won't bother.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Yes - $34 is nothing.

But, when it comes time to claim back or get reimbursed on the trip you could not make, prepare to jump through a shit load of hoops and navigation of exceptions.

So, all that $34 does is allow you to go through the claims labyrinth to get a % back of what you spent.

 

[dr150]

My brother used Allianz and it paid for itself as he had to cancel his trip due to a medical situation.

Allianz makes you go through hoops with the paperwork but they DO pay up and pay rather quickly.