The travel insurance Amtrak sells (provided by Allianz) has A LOT of restrictions on it. Probably the most problematic restriction is that you can't just cancel and refund your ticket for any reason. It needs to be one of these:
And if memory serves, it was actually mentioned in another thread here that Amtrak themselves will give a full refund for any ticket cancelled due to medical reasons, which really minimizes any benefits of the Allianz plan.
I'm currently shopping for a travel insurance policy for a cruise this Summer. My travel agent has suggested Allianz because it is a bit more inexpensive than a Company I have used in the past. Reading the section dealing with Medical Coverage during one's trip, there is wording that concerns me if a dispute might arise between the insurance company and the customer if a medical claim is filed. The wording keeps stressing medically necessary for a doctor to be seen. Would the insurance company's opinion of what is medically necessary agree with my opinion of that?
We had a great experience with Transamerica. I don’t know how they rank in cost but their service when we needed it on a Rail/cruise was outstanding.
Short answer is No.
Maybe that policy would have given you your miles back, which could make it worth it?
From Allianz ... One Trip Prime ...
Other than Southwest, most airlines I know charge the equivalent of 50%-100% of the purchase cost if you cancel typical fares after 24 hours. According to the rules it doesn't really matter why you canceled. Unless it was obviously the airline's fault you're simply out the money. Amtrak charges me 25% to cancel 24 hours after purchase and charges me a full 100% to cancel within two weeks of travel. Forfeiting as much as 100% of the purchase cost doesn't sound like a decent policy to me.
Here in the US an insured visit to the ER will cost me $1,000 or more. In another country an uninsured visit might cost as little as $250 or even less. I'm not even sure I'd want to be returned home in the middle of an emergency. Flying while under serious medical care is dangerous. I'd rather that nobody moves me anywhere until I'm healed up enough to fly home the usual way. If that's not possible then you may as well fly my ashes home when it's over. The people who need to be careful about insuring against exorbitant medical costs are the folks traveling into the US.
Or maybe seniors are way too likely to need emergency medical services.
Thanks for all the responses to my question.
Yeah, Amtrak's change and cancellation policy has gradually gotten worse over the years. Not that long ago, Flexible and Business fares offered a 100% refund if you just don't show up, but now you forfeit the whole amount if you don't call in advance. Saver fares used to offer a full e-voucher back if you canceled more than 14 days in advance, and now there's a 25% fee. Sleepers even used to be fully refundable more than 14 days out. At least they still don't have any change fee, but the cancellation policy really is yet another distinguishing feature of train travel that's going down the drain.
I appreciate the comments that previous posters have made to my post. I have made my decision and have decided to buy Allianz. Between the Company and me, there have been 2 e-mail exchanges (with responses to my e-mails quickly handled) and one telephone call (also quickly answered by a representative who easily understood my questions/concerns and responded very well to them, satisfying me). I am happy with my decision.
I use miles to book airfare and points to book Amtrak sleeper. The cancel policies are a little different from what I read.
I wholly concur with the thoughts Flitcraft has set forth. For my overseas jaunts, I take what United (written by AIG) sells
I do not buy any additional insurance on any trip. Generally the fares I use are all reusable with zero to a couple of hundred dollars fee, and I never ever use pre-paid non-refundable hotel reservations, so that covers "cancellation without cause". Other cancellations (i.e. with covered cause) are covered by the travel insurance provided by the credit cards I use to pay for the trips. And my HP Retiree Medical Plan (Medicare Part C Advantage Plan) covers medical, hospitalization and emergency care worldwide, and even if you don't, since HP picks up most of the tab beyond of course what Medicare charges for Parts B and D (if your income is more than a threshold). It is really a very good plan if you travel worldwide. Emergency Medical Evacuation is covered by the credit card provided travel insurance. So there is is not much else left to get coverage for.
