Should I Buy Flight Insurance?

Is flight insurance worth the money or is it a rip off? You need to watch this before you buy flight insurance!

I've been shopping around for a flight and was offered flight insurance. Should I buy flight insurance?

Flight insurance will make the cost of that ticket soar! Well, actually, go up about 10%.

It is supposed to cover the cost of a delayed flight or major problems.

In most situations, the airline should refund the cost of the flight anyway. And flight insurance doesn't cover things like getting evacuated because you got seriously hurt, the hotel room or lost bags.

So travel insurance is what I need.

Most of the time, flight insurance is a rip off. It's a markup offered by travel companies who should refund the event if they screw it up.

Most of the time. What are the exceptions?

If you're going on a once in a lifetime trip with expensive, non-refundable tickets, flight insurance might be worth it. But that's for a safari in Africa or rainforest hike in Belize or Nepal.

Not a trip to Vegas, then.

If you are flying in to a port to take a cruise and the flight's cancellation or delay endangers the cruise, you may want trip insurance.

What about flight insurance when you want to visit Florida during hurricane season?

Only if you have non-refundable tickets. And it only counts if they cancel the flight, not if you cancel it just in case Florida gets hit yet again by a hurricane.

What if my plans might change?

Then get refundable tickets, and don't use travel miles to book the trip.

There might be something like a death in the family or a childbirth.

If a family member dies, you can get discounts for the bereaved -- and schedule flexibility and priority with most airlines. Is someone in your family about to die?

I might if I see $3,000 airline tickets go up in smoke.

Then stop being so dramatic, and pay the extra $300 for peace of mind.