RV Travel Insurance ??

[TC_Z]

We live in Atlanta and are considering a 4-6 week camping trip to Michigan to visit family in October/November. We like to take it slow and see the sights along the way, 2 nights at each campground. We usually make reservations in advance to avoid stress. With the Delta variant COVID unknowns is there any RV travel insurance that will reimburse our costs if we don't go on the trip due to illness (ours or the family's) or closure? The CGs aren't usually very understanding. know there's an element of how far ahead you cancel too.

The insurance may cost more than what is at risk but thought I would ask....

Take care...

[Crowe]

My point is all insurance is suckers bet if you look at it as a chance to win more than loose. Now I buy insurance for a lot of things. I also buy lottery tickets, have been know to lay money down where the dominions are galloping across the table. I can know it's a suckers bet, and still take it, but many are offended if asked to look at it clearly

Insurance a suckers bet? I'd rather take that bet than have to pay out-of-pocket should something happen. An 8-day stay in a cardiac intensive care unit was almost $100k. A totaled car (not my fault) would have been another $35K out of my pocket. A "suckers bet" as you call it is far smarter than playing the odds that nothing will happen.

[JRscooby]

(Again, I picked the wrong career. I could sit back and collect money on people’s fears and notions, rather than busting my ____ to actually contribute to earn a paycheck….dang!)

This is what all insurance is about. But to start in that career you must have enough money it can work for you, instead of you working for money. It is just a way to socialize cost when bad things happen.

Crowe wrote:
Fact is winners do not keep the casino lights on. You want to bet your trip gets messed up, want them to bet it don't. If the companies did not expect to win they would not offer the policy.

Your point? We all have RV insurance. Yes, they pay out but if the did not expect to win they also would not offer the policy. I went to a very nice seaside inn in July. I never get insurance for just a hotel but made the exception due to their very strict cancellation policy. The policy was a fraction of what it would have cost if I had to cancel last minute. Well worth it in my book.

It would be nice of more of you answered the OP's question rather than criticize him.

My point is all insurance is suckers bet if you look at it as a chance to win more than loose. Now I buy insurance for a lot of things. I also buy lottery tickets, have been know to lay money down where the dominions are galloping across the table. I can know it's a suckers bet, and still take it, but many are offended if asked to look at it clearly

[Crowe]

So, what are the “rates” for this peace of mind?
Obviously, as a supporter of this plan, you’re one who worries about the sky falling.
I’d like to hear some examples of how this or similar has actually benefited you or paid off.
Or is this merely a feel good exercise?
(Again, I picked the wrong career. I could sit back and collect money on people’s fears and notions, rather than busting my ____ to actually contribute to earn a paycheck….dang!)
It is good insight as to how fear and paranoia spreads so easily among the masses though.

Why the snark? Very unnecessary and frankly I don't have to explain why I do what I do to you. Love your "sky is falling" comments. Glad you know me so well you have the right to judge. All of this is no skin off your teeth. Can't figure out why you're so insecure about this. I'm sure there's plenty you spend your money on that others would laugh at. It's not fear-it's practicality and preparedness. Guess you should go cancel your auto/RV insurance so you don't waste your money. Just like car insurance, it's based on the value of the trip and what you want covered.

If you had to cancel right before the trip, or mid trip, I just don't think you would be risking more than a couple of hundred bucks. I don't think it would be worth the hassle of finding a policy, and then having to get a claim out of them.

It all depends on how much you are risking. My trips to Alaska are not cheap and I am in remote places quite often. If it's not "a lot" then a policy might not be worth it. But "a lot" varies from person to person and it's not up to judge for another what "a lot" is. It's simple risk vs. reward, period. Policies are not hard to find and as long as you understand the fine print it's no more difficult to collect on than a standard insurance policy. I have not had to collect (thankfully) as my broken arm in Denmark didn't affect much of the trip, but I know of others who would have been out thousands otherwise.

Moderator, I am stressing my points in support of the OP. There's no need for ridicule over something so simple.

[valhalla360]

wapiticountry wrote:
Travel insurance will generally only pay if you cannot travel, not if you just choose not to make the trip. What is the actual risks that would mean you couldn't make the trip? A Personal health problem is the most likely. Other than that you are getting into scenarios that are very unlikely to occur, such as complete bans on travel. Then you have to consider what you are actually insuring against. It apparently mostly cancellation fees that amount to what, a few hundred dollars at most? Not like potentially losing airline ticket fares, hotel and cruise cancellation fees and the like that run into multiple thousands of dollars when normally purchasing travel insurance. I doubt that the price of any such insurance for RV travel would be worth it, even if you could find it in the first place.

There is "cancel for any reason" travel insurance but:
- I've not heard of it being used for an RV trip.
- They have started specifically calling out covid related as not a valid "any reason".

[wowens79]

If you had to cancel right before the trip, or mid trip, I just don't think you would be risking more than a couple of hundred bucks. I don't think it would be worth the hassle of finding a policy, and then having to get a claim out of them.
Just go camping and enjoy youself, and use the money you saved on not buying the policy for a nice diner.

[wapiticountry]

Travel insurance will generally only pay if you cannot travel, not if you just choose not to make the trip. What is the actual risks that would mean you couldn't make the trip? A Personal health problem is the most likely. Other than that you are getting into scenarios that are very unlikely to occur, such as complete bans on travel. Then you have to consider what you are actually insuring against. It apparently mostly cancellation fees that amount to what, a few hundred dollars at most? Not like potentially losing airline ticket fares, hotel and cruise cancellation fees and the like that run into multiple thousands of dollars when normally purchasing travel insurance. I doubt that the price of any such insurance for RV travel would be worth it, even if you could find it in the first place.

[way2roll]

Never heard of travel insurance for camping. Each CG has their own cancellation policy. Read it before you book and make a decision. Usually, if you cancel far enough ahead you can get your money back - or at least with a small fee. If you cancel the day before arriving I would assume you eat the cost. The CG needs time to be able to rent that spot otherwise they are the ones who lose money. I have seen cases where they would not refund it and folks can "sell" their reservation to someone else who is able to take it.

[Crowe]

Fact is winners do not keep the casino lights on. You want to bet your trip gets messed up, want them to bet it don't. If the companies did not expect to win they would not offer the policy.

Your point? We all have RV insurance. Yes, they pay out but if the did not expect to win they also would not offer the policy. I went to a very nice seaside inn in July. I never get insurance for just a hotel but made the exception due to their very strict cancellation policy. The policy was a fraction of what it would have cost if I had to cancel last minute. Well worth it in my book.

It would be nice of more of you answered the OP's question rather than criticize him.

[Grit_dog]

Crowe wrote:
"RV Travel Insurance"....sounds like a sucker move.

No, it isn't. While I agree if at all possible book a campground that has a liberal cancellation policy that's not always an option.

To answer you question: If you get ill then any insurance policy should cover it. Some are now covering for COVID related closures, bans, etc. I would check with Allianz about a policy. There are varying options at varying rates.

The amount of a policy could be well less than penalties for multiple cancellations. The peace of mind can be well worth it. Remember these policies cover you from the time you purchase the policy through the entire vacation. Don't let the naysayers discourage you from at least looking into it. Your money, your decision, not subject to the scorn or comment of others.

So, what are the “rates” for this peace of mind?
Obviously, as a supporter of this plan, you’re one who worries about the sky falling.
I’d like to hear some examples of how this or similar has actually benefited you or paid off.
Or is this merely a feel good exercise?
(Again, I picked the wrong career. I could sit back and collect money on people’s fears and notions, rather than busting my ____ to actually contribute to earn a paycheck….dang!)
It is good insight as to how fear and paranoia spreads so easily among the masses though.

[valhalla360]

wing_zealot wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
PS: Michigan campgrounds start shutting down mid October, so make sure they will even be open. On the positive side, running without reservations is much more viable, particularly on weekdays since kids are mostly back in school.

That might work if you don’t need a camping site on a weekend - yes, even in October in Michigan.

Other than Halloween weekend, things usually settle down in Michigan after school starts. Yes, there will still be weekend campers but fewer, so finding a site should be easier (consider getting into a site on Thursday, so you are locked in).

Also depends on exactly where in Michigan the OP is looking...it's a bigger state than some people realize. Erie (SE corner) to Ironwood (west end of the UP) is a 10hr drive in a car (probably 12-14 in an RV). Close to Detroit, there are very few campgrounds and lots of potential campers. Further north, more campgrounds and fewer potential campers.

And maybe the OP will only be in Michigan mid week.

[JRscooby]

Crowe wrote:
"RV Travel Insurance"....sounds like a sucker move.

No, it isn't. While I agree if at all possible book a campground that has a liberal cancellation policy that's not always an option.

To answer you question: If you get ill then any insurance policy should cover it. Some are now covering for COVID related closures, bans, etc. I would check with Allianz about a policy. There are varying options at varying rates.

The amount of a policy could be well less than penalties for multiple cancellations. The peace of mind can be well worth it. Remember these policies cover you from the time you purchase the policy through the entire vacation. Don't let the naysayers discourage you from at least looking into it. Your money, your decision, not subject to the scorn or comment of others.

Fact is winners do not keep the casino lights on. You want to bet your trip gets messed up, want them to bet it don't. If the companies did not expect to win they would not offer the policy.

[Crowe]

"RV Travel Insurance"....sounds like a sucker move.

No, it isn't. While I agree if at all possible book a campground that has a liberal cancellation policy that's not always an option.

To answer you question: If you get ill then any insurance policy should cover it. Some are now covering for COVID related closures, bans, etc. I would check with Allianz about a policy. There are varying options at varying rates.

The amount of a policy could be well less than penalties for multiple cancellations. The peace of mind can be well worth it. Remember these policies cover you from the time you purchase the policy through the entire vacation. Don't let the naysayers discourage you from at least looking into it. Your money, your decision, not subject to the scorn or comment of others.

[wing_zealot]

valhalla360 wrote:
PS: Michigan campgrounds start shutting down mid October, so make sure they will even be open. On the positive side, running without reservations is much more viable, particularly on weekdays since kids are mostly back in school.

That might work if you don’t need a camping site on a weekend - yes, even in October in Michigan.

[Dutch_12078]

ktmrfs wrote:
at least the oregon state campground reserved sites cam be cancelled up to the day of arrival with refund of the site cost. no refund on reservation fee. And in the past it was the same for sites reserved through the federal campground website.

Oregon State Parks

"Campsite, rustic or deluxe yurt, rustic or deluxe cabin, tepee, horse camp or boat moorage: If you cancel within 3 calendar days of your arrival date, OPRD retains your reservation fee, transaction fee (if any) and first night’s use fee."

Cancel reservation

National Park Campgrounds

"Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window
Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee."

Rules & Reservation Policies