What does orbitz travel insurance cover

As a result, customers are advised to upgrade by purchasing optional coverage managed by Travel Guard and Aon Affinity Travel Practice for added peace of mind when traveling. Under this plan, Orbitz refunds your flight in the form of travel credits with that particular airline.

The credits can then be used to purchase a new flight with the same airline. Orbitz refunds an amount equal to the change or cancellation fee charged by the airline at the time of redemption. The traveler is then charged the full price of the new flight, less the amount of the travel credits available. Travelers should be aware that the cost of the new flight may be more than the canceled flight, and they will be expected to pay the difference.

This plan can be purchased at checkout up to 24 hours after booking a flight. In some cases, if a flight is canceled within 24 hours, no penalty fees apply. Orbitz offers customers a Package Protection plan which can be purchased online up to 24 hours after booking a flight. Travelers are reimbursed up to the total trip costs due to cancellations for specific reasons as per the schedule of benefits.

Trip interruptions, trip delays, and medical expenses are covered post-departure. Reimbursements are subject to exclusions and limitations. Package Protection travel insurance can be canceled before the start of the trip up to 15 days after making a booking. Orbitz offers a Vacation Waiver which can be used once for each travel product listed and confirmed in the same itinerary. This waiver only covers change and cancellation fees and does not cover non-changeable flights.

Customers can change or cancel their package reservations before the scheduled start times. The Vacation Waiver covers all travelers listed and confirmed on the itinerary, and it can only be purchased during the booking process. Orbitz travel insurance may be less due to its low dollar limits and large amount of exclusions, but the final cost will depend on a number of different factors. Most insurance providers consider the age of travelers, number of travelers, length of trip, pre-existing conditions, and type of coverage before calculating the coverage cost.

Travelers over the age of 65 usually pay more, and some include minors at no extra charge. Coverage ends when the insured either arrives at the return destination, or seven days after the scheduled completion of the trip. Customers have a day trial period during which they may choose to cancel and receive a refund of the full premium.

Negative customer reviews can cause significant damage to the reputation of any business. However, this rating is typical for many travel insurance providers. Many of the criticisms of the company are related to customers not understanding policy limits, the claims process, or cancellation procedures.

According to the BBB, Orbitz closed over customer complaints in three years, or more in the past twelve months. O'Connor says Vantage did not honor the claims.

Vantage says there was no cessation of services by the 12 consecutive hours. Products such as waivers and protection are not the same thing as insurance. But they're more similar today than ever.

Travel insurance is an actual insurance product underwritten by large insurance companies and regulated by state insurance agencies.

But trip protection plans were much riskier propositions and could be full of exclusions. A trip protection plan might only cover a portion of the trip and not reimburse you for a cancellation but instead issue you a credit for future travel.

Also, the protection plans were backed by tour operators instead of highly rated insurance underwriters. So if a tour operator ran into financial difficulties, it might mean your trip "protection" was worthless. For example, Vantage's program has an insurance component, but like all insurance, its coverage is limited. In other words, the most reputable travel companies that offer trip "protection" will have actual insurance components in there somewhere.

But you have to look for it. A few companies continue to sell old protection that may or may not work. Look for real protection: Some plans promise to do what any self-respecting tour operator or agency would do, like process a change or cancellation on your behalf.

Baggage Coverage can reimburse you for your personal belongings if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged. Baggage Delay Coverage provides money to buy essential items until your delayed bags arrive, such as a toiletry kit, a swimsuit, or another change of clothes.

Travel Delay Coverage provides reimbursement for additional expenses if your flight is delayed, such as an extra night in a hotel or a meal at a restaurant. Medical emergencies, stolen baggage, lost passports, cancelled flights.

Rental Car Collision replaces your personal insurance or the rental company policy. Identity Theft provides services to help in the event of identity theft while traveling. You can use our comparison tool to get quotes and compare vacation plans. Go back to the Travel Insurance series. Update: You can now download this entire guide as a convenient PDF.