Traveler's insurance to cover SXM

[TPunch42]

So we like all of you are tired of paying extra when our airline is late causing us to miss our connecting flight and costing us $$ to stay over night or take the ferry from St. Maarten. Anyone out there find an insurance plan that will cover these costs??

Our airline has given us miles before but that's it.
All those I have found require the carrier to be 5 hours late. And we all know it only requires a couple of hours to cause the $$....overnight... ferry...

Some offer missed connections reinbursement to join a cruise or even your destination but that is for a 5 hour delay as well.

 

[tim]

How frequently have you missed your connections and had to stay overnight in SXM? My record is about 4 times in well over one hundred trips. Perhaps you have a more challenging connection than the rest of us.

 

[Rosita]

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[andynap]

Been going to the Caribbean since 1972- I have never had to spend a night in SXM because the plane was late- a snowstorm is another thing. Save your money. A canceled trip is different- look into that.

 

[JEK]

She is coming from San Diego -- a slightly different situation.

 

[TPunch42]

I think in part it's the worry we will. It's happened a couple of times to us on 6 visits. Both of our last 2 trips we had to stay overnight in SXM... With tired kids and our long journey we just get frustrated by the extra cost and hassle. We fly red eye from LAX to MIA (5 hour flight) Arriving at 7:30 am (which feels like 4:30 am) have a 3 hour layover flying into SXM at 2:20 pm. I know... I know... we are crazy to do this... But we LOVE St. Barts.

We have to buy travelers insurance anyways so I thought it would be nice if we could find one that included this extra cost. Doesn't take the hassle away if it happens but helps the pocket book.

Plus I'm the one that always gets sick on the ferry... :crazy:

 

[TPunch42]

By the way I'm a she. Maybe I should change my Avatar?

 

[Rosemary]

I think it's beautiful.

 

[JEK]

I think Travelex has what you are looking for. Do the comparisons.

http://www.travelexinsurance.com/insurance/travelbasic.aspx

 

[jayhawkgirl]

You might check the terms of the trip insurance policies. I recently traveled to St. Barts and bought a Travel Guard policy through www.squaremouth.com and the trip delay language says: "The insurer will reimburse the Insured up to the Maximum limit shown on the Schedule for Reasonable Additional Expenses until travel becomes possible if the Insured's Trip is delayed 5 or more consecutive hours from reaching their intended Destination as a result of a cancellation or delay of a regularly scheduled airline flight for one of the Unforeseen events listed below: (a) reasons listed under Trip Cancellation and Interruption; (b) Common carrier delay ..."
Although I have never had to make a claim for reimbursement on a travel policy, I interpret the language to mean that if you are delayed getting to St. Barts by more than 5 hours (not just a 5 hour delay on your arrival flight) because of an airline delay (including weather reasons), you can get your hotel and other transporation expenses reimbursed up to the amount stated as allowed in the policy. As I said, I have no experience redeeming the insurance, so I don't know how it works in reality, but it seems as though it should cover your situation.
I would be glad to hear about anyone's experience in making a claim for travel delay with a travel insurance policy.

 

[phil62]

The one time we had to spend the night in SXM because our incoming flight was delayed, AA gave us vouchers for hotel, meals and taxi's. It was several years ago, but I think the airlines are still obligated to take care of you if you miss your connection because they were delayed.

I think it is worth looking into.

Phil

 

[TPunch42]

I spoke with Travelex on the phone today. They only cover it if the Common Carrier is delayed by 5 or more hours. I'm guessing most are like this. Some read 3 or more hours. It is based on the length of the delay of the airline not on the delay to your final destination.

They probably don't want to pay out regularly as I am sure this happens frequently in a number of situations around the world.

We may be able to get vouchers from AA. Last time we didn't stick around to find out. Wanted to get to the ferry ASAP as we were tight on time.
I think we plan to stay overnight in SXM with the kiddos in tow. I like Grand Case a lot so I am thinking we will stay there and fly out. If we get stuck...

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[TPunch42]

I think it's beautiful.

Thanks... it was one of my all time favorite shots of Lorient.
Now you just have me. But I am in St. Barths I think at Ke Ke et Mo (sp?) in St. Jean having a Corona and a Panini.

 

[TPunch42]

She is coming from San Diego -- a slightly different situation.

Thanks for the edit. :up:

BTW... Do you get insurance from Travelex? What plan to you usually get.

I am thinking Travel Lite... Has more medical evacuation coverage than the cheapest...Something I feel like I need with kids. Any thought?

 

[MrSalem]

We always buy trip insurance through USAA for our St. Barth trips. It only costs us $59 per person for the top tier coverage and they cover EVERYTHING if something goes wrong. One year AA lost our luggage for 3 days and my wife got $700 to replace clothing etc. Well worth the $120 that year. Dealing with the airline was a pain since they gave her $100. You can’t buy much in St. Barth for $100. With 3 kids and 72 year old parents watching the kids when we travel we have learned lots of things can happen before a scheduled trip. It’s peace of mind for us.

 

[tim]

$59. is incredibly cheap for travel insurance.

 

[pascaleschmidt]

For me it has been 2 times in 25 years, not bad...

 

[bethwoff]

We purchased Travelex for our December trip this past year (first time to ever buy insurance ) and incredibly, our USAir flight was almost 8 hours late, we had to take a private high speed boat over with Premium IV, and couldn't get our car until the nextday once WIMCO picked us up and took us to airport. At least we woke up on St Barths in our villa. Travelex paid for the boat, and USAir gave us a nice milage compensation. So, I have to say I'll never skip insurance again.

 

[TPunch42]

$59 is a good price. I'm guessing you need to be a member of USAA... I didn't think of asking AAA. Maybe they have traveler's insurance.

 

[lmj]

The 5 hour (or even 3 hour) provision is the killer. We've only missed our connection once, and our arriving flight wasn't all that late. But because the connecting flights are so limited and so fully booked, even a 30 minute delay can result in being shut out. Since Paul will NEVER take the ferry again, it looks like we'll be overnighting in SXM next time. I'm definitely looking into that USAA insurance, we travel so much it's great to know about options.