I'm getting ready to complete the registration for the Washington DC trip. I think I'll be making a one time payment, but still not sure. What is tripping me up is the Full Refund Program Fee.
The FRP fee is $139 for this trip which will cost us $1299 for the four day three night experience. Thus the fee would increase our total outlay to $1438, or an increase of nearly 11%.
The FRP fee 'protects your payments and provides a full refund minus the FRP fee, if you, the Program Leader, school, or school administration need to cancel at any time prior to departure for any reason.' The fee does not cover an Act of God, war, terrorism, civil unrest, or bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business by the travel company.
According to my daughter who heard the presentation from the group leader, most parents do not choose this option of insurance. I probably will not pay the fee, since we can withstand the risk that we could lose our money, if something were to prevent her from going. It won't break us financially in other words. My husband's first instinct was to sign up.
What would you do? Can you think of any good reasons to pay the extra fee?
DC Trip: Travel Insurance?
May 30th, 2013 at 05:33 pm
May 30th, 2013 at 05:45 pm 1369932328
May 30th, 2013 at 05:47 pm 1369932431
May 30th, 2013 at 06:00 pm 1369933249
We tend to stay away from non catastrophic insurance, such as warranties on electronics or furniture, knowing the odds are low and we could cover the costs to replace.
May 30th, 2013 at 07:04 pm 1369937083
May 30th, 2013 at 07:16 pm 1369937762
Dumb question but what are your options if the travel agency shuts down? How far in advance does the school pay the agency? Have you checked BBB for their record? I see lots of stories about agency or airline cessation leaving travellers stranded.
May 30th, 2013 at 09:58 pm 1369947532
I bought trip insurance when I went to Vietnam (didn't know if my boss would let me go and new diseases
May 31st, 2013 at 01:24 am 1369959899
May 31st, 2013 at 06:24 am 1369977846
And what happens if you have to cancel due to illness of your child and she can't attend?
May 31st, 2013 at 04:12 pm 1370013121
If my child can't attend, I would lose the full payment of $1250, unless I pay the $139 fee.