Jeanine; I have received a full refund when last minute back surgery was required. I always buy the coverage and usually the cruise lines policy.

I buy the coverage as soon as I know that my wife and myself have had 60 days without a doctors visit (see Ngaire's pre-existing condition exclusion for travelers, above). That way we know that (1) there will not be an opportunity for a pre-existing condition exclusion, and (2) that if an illness occurs
(or even reccurs) that the 60 "clean" period makes us "safe".

Of course, there is the risk that if you decide to cancel for non-medical reasons, prior to the deposit cancellation date or the final payment date, you will have lost the cost of the insurance paid early.

To me it's a good trade off to eliminate the pre-existing condition exclusion.