I had finally done it- planned the trip of a lifetime. Right as I was in final preparations, I got a call from my sister that my mom had passed unexpectedly. Suddenly, walking tours and restaurant guides were meaningless as I made arrangements to fly home and be with family. Trip insurance softened the blow- for a few dollars in insurance, I was refunded the cost of my resort condominium stay.

While other travel issues have been less dramatic, such as a cancelled flight, I’ve since used coverage for other personal and family vacations, and covered my college age kids (who change schedules as often as their underwear), when flying home.  But buying coverage, and understanding the different types, is a personal decision. Here is some information to help you make a choice.

When Travel Insurance Makes Sense

Veteran travelers advise purchasing trip insurance when the cost of your vacation is expensive and nonrefundable. However, you may want to look beyond the policies that airlines offer. Most are pretty meager, don’t cover accommodations, and likely have quite a few loop holes. When accommodations are the largest expense of your vacation, insurance coverage is something to consider.

Destination Maui Vacations uses CSA Insurance (now under the broader umbrella of Generali Global Assistance), to provide insurance options to travelers worldwide. There are two options when purchasing insurance with a Destination Maui Vacations condo booking- trip insurance for cancellations, and damage insurance should an accident happen in the condo once you are here. Someone in your group have a medical emergency so you didn’t make it to Maui? That’s covered. Kids roughhousing and knocked over the flat screen TV? Your covered. What I like is DMV has negotiated low rates for optional trip and accidental damage insurance policies. You can make these selections when booking your condo.

You can also use Generali for international trips. I covered an upcoming trip to New Zealand for less than 5% of my prepaid trip expenses. For an expensive trip with many moving parts, insurance provides great peace of mind.

Travel Insurance offered through Destination Maui Vacations

Here is an overview of the travel insurance policy offered.

Cost. Cost is based on the value of your trip, and is quoted instantly when booking.

Before You Go . Unable to travel because you’re sick? No problem! Trip Cancellation coverage keeps you from losing your vacation savings if you need to cancel for a covered reason.

During Your Vacation. The last thing you need is something to go wrong during your vacation. With coverage for Baggage Delay, Emergency Assistance and Transportation, Trip Interruption and more, this Guest Protect Plan can help you focus on enjoying yourself! The designated assistance services provider can help with other issues that may come up, like the need for a medical referral or replacing medication or eyeglasses.

After You’re Home. The claims process is as hassle-free as possible. One claims representative will work with you from start to finish, making sure you receive the responsive, friendly service you need. Identity Theft Resolution Services offer you 180 days of service starting on your scheduled departure date.

Accidental Damage Insurance through Destination Maui Vacations

You decided on a rental property so you could feel at home while on vacation. Don’t let the fear of losing your security deposit keep you from enjoying your time.  Instead of paying hundreds of dollars up front, and waiting for a refund at the end of your stay, simply make a one-time payment (currently $39.99). Avoid the hassles of checks and credit card holds. Then relax, knowing that you have coverage for accidental property damage.

What if something happens? Simply report accidental damage that occurred during your stay to your property management company when you leave. Don’t be afraid to report the damage—that’s why you buy insurance!

Important Note

If you opt out of purchasing accidental damage insurance, Destination Maui Vacations will collect a $3,000 deposit. This amount is refundable if there is no damage to the unit during your stay. It is important to report any damage you notice upon arrival.

Other Options

You can also check sites such as InsureMyTrip, QuoteWright or SquareMouth to compare various policies from different companies. Which ever policy you are considering, you will want to look for coverage and exclusions.

Conclusion

For some, adding a small percentage onto the cost of a vacation may be burdensome. But when you end up saving thousands over the course of multiple travel events, insurance is a good value. This is especially true when purchasing affordable insurance when booking through Destination Maui Vacations- they have leveraged expenses across thousands of travelers to negotiate low insurance rates for everyone.