Cruise Deposit question

[sayhello]

I paid my deposit today. Am I out of luck with my insurance?

Was today the first day you made any payment towards the trip? If it was, you have 14-21 days (depends on the insurance company & policy) to purchase your insurance and get the pre-existing condition waiver. That's if you're buying independent of DCL. If you purchase the insurance through DCL, you can buy the insurance at any point up until your PIF date, as DCL's insurance does not offer a pre-existing condition waiver, and isn't purchased for you until your PIF date.

The advantage to the DCL insurance is what PP's have mentioned above, if you cancel past your PIF date, and the claim is denied, then DCL will give you a credit for a future cruise. The disadvantage is, a) no pre-existing condition waiver, b) Only covers stuff booked through DCL, so if you book your airfare or hotel by yourself, that part is not covered, and c) WAY more expensive than what you can buy independently.

If you want to check out independent trip insurance, go to www.insuremytrip.com. It will allow you to compare all sorts of different insurance companies and policies, and find the one that is best for you. It will tell you which policies need to be purchased within 14-21 days to get the coverage you want. A lot of people on this board have recommended it.

HTH.
Sayhello

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote here for insuremytrip.com. They offer multiple companies and policies so there's something for everyone. Same coverage as DCL offers costs about half of what DCL charges. For a family of 4 it can be a huge savings. My parents have PECs so that's a concern for us.

 

[heatherwillmom]

So if I splurge & get a suite, I lose my deposit if something happens & we can't go?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

So if I splurge & get a suite, I lose my deposit if something happens & we can't go?

Yup.

 

[HallsofVA]

So if I splurge & get a suite, I lose my deposit if something happens & we can't go?

Suite deposits are non-refundable, but you can generally move your deposit to another date or another category (though it remains perpetually non-refundable.)

 

[cortegro]

That seals the deal for me!

I was about to call our TA to find out about a suite on the dream next year. My only question was if we changed dates (well in advance) would the deposit carry over. If that is the case,

Look out Disney Dream! Here we come!

Thanks, cortegro

 

[JenGC]

Another vote here for insuremytrip.com. They offer multiple companies and policies so there's something for everyone. Same coverage as DCL offers costs about half of what DCL charges. For a family of 4 it can be a huge savings. My parents have PECs so that's a concern for us.

I am so overwhelmed as to what to get.

 

[JenGC]

I know that you guys do not work for these companies, but I had a question. In one of the details of a coverage it says this

"Specific requirement
• The injury, illness or medical condition must be considered life threatening, require hospitalization, or he or she must require your care."

What if a person that is accompanying you takes care of someone (my Mother is going and is the primary care person for my grandmother), is that covered or will they say "well YOU are not the caretaker so YOU need to go"?

Also, if they make me go, does that mean they will refund me the difference of the person staying? (does that make sense?)

Another thing, if my mother can't go, her friend would probably stay with her too. I mean, that would be really mean for her to have to stay, and everyone else gets to go. But I guess they don't really care about that. <sigh> this is really turning out to be a big stress problem.

 

[JenGC]

I know that you guys do not work for these companies, but I had a question. In one of the details of a coverage it says this

"Specific requirement
• The injury, illness or medical condition must be considered life threatening, require hospitalization, or he or she must require your care."

What if a person that is accompanying you takes care of someone (my Mother is going and is the primary care person for my grandmother), is that covered or will they say "well YOU are not the caretaker so YOU need to go"?

Also, if they make me go, does that mean they will refund me the difference of the person staying? (does that make sense?)

Another thing, if my mother can't go, her friend would probably stay with her too. I mean, that would be really mean for her to have to stay, and everyone else gets to go. But I guess they don't really care about that. <sigh> this is really turning out to be a big stress problem.

NEVERMIND! Right above that it says

"A family member who isn't traveling with you is seriously ill or injured." That would cover it.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I am so overwhelmed as to what to get.

For me, this is what it came down to. All of the policies have so many restrictions, that it's difficult to predict what could happen and whether or not it will be covered. So here is a general comparison:

With Disney insurance, if your claim is approved for covered reasons, you get a 100% refund, minus the cost of insurance. If you cancel for any reason not covered, you get a 100% refund as a voucher for a future cruise, minus the cost of insurance.

With other companies, if your claim is approved for covered reasons, you get a 100% refund, minus the cost of insurance. If you cancel for any reason not covered, you get a 75% refund, minus the cost of insurance. (Note that this means you would have to buy a Cancel for Any Reason plan, which I would strongly recommend if you go outside of Disney. Reimbursements will vary, but are generally 75%-80% of the cruise cost.)

For me, Disney has a Cancel for Any Reason plan built into it and I would rather have 100% of my money as a voucher than 75% of my money as cash. So we went with Disney.

Please feel free to call Disney (and any other insurance company) to confirm their policies prior to deciding. It is definitely confusing!

It's a personal decision based on cost and your own needs, but maybe this helped!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Not to make it more confusing, but my scenario above is referring to cancellations made within the 7-day window (as I understand it after speaking to Disney when we booked).

 

[JenGC]

For me, this is what it came down to. All of the policies have so many restrictions, that it's difficult to predict what could happen and whether or not it will be covered. So here is a general comparison:

With Disney insurance, if your claim is approved for covered reasons, you get a 100% refund, minus the cost of insurance. If you cancel for any reason not covered, you get a 100% refund as a voucher for a future cruise, minus the cost of insurance.

With other companies, if your claim is approved for covered reasons, you get a 100% refund, minus the cost of insurance. If you cancel for any reason not covered, you get a 75% refund, minus the cost of insurance. (Note that this means you would have to buy a Cancel for Any Reason plan, which I would strongly recommend if you go outside of Disney. Reimbursements will vary, but are generally 75%-80% of the cruise cost.)

For me, Disney has a Cancel for Any Reason plan built into it and I would rather have 100% of my money as a voucher than 75% of my money as cash. So we went with Disney.

Please feel free to call Disney (and any other insurance company) to confirm their policies prior to deciding. It is definitely confusing!

It's a personal decision based on cost and your own needs, but maybe this helped!

That helped a lot! I think you are right. With Disney, it really is a win-win situation. I won't have airline worries (as of right NOW we are driving down! It changes randomly though ) so that wont be a problem. I will just get in touch with dreams unlimited and get them to add on the insurance.

Thanks so much!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

That helped a lot! I think you are right. With Disney, it really is a win-win situation. I won't have airline worries (as of right NOW we are driving down! It changes randomly though ) so that wont be a problem. I will just get in touch with dreams unlimited and get them to add on the insurance.

Thanks so much!!

This was from Dreams Unlimited website: "Trip Cancellation/Interruption Protection is for any non-refundable fees if your clients must cancel or interrupt their trip due to a covered medical condition or other specified cause. Clients who have to cancel for any reason not covered will receive 100% of the non-refundable cancellation fee toward a future Disney Cruise Vacations package."

The "non-refundable cancellation fee" is referring to where you are in the cancellation timeframe window. For example, if you cancelled during the window where you forfeit your deposit only, then Disney would refund you the cost of your cruise except for the deposit. Then the insurance would step in. If you are approved, they will refund you the amount of your deposit. If you are denied, you will receive a cruise voucher for the amount of the deposit. In my previous example, Disney would offer no refunds if you cancelled within 7 days. So the insurance would either approve your claim and give you a 100% refund or deny your claim and give you a 100% voucher. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[JenGC]

This was from Dreams Unlimited website: "Trip Cancellation/Interruption Protection is for any non-refundable fees if your clients must cancel or interrupt their trip due to a covered medical condition or other specified cause. Clients who have to cancel for any reason not covered will receive 100% of the non-refundable cancellation fee toward a future Disney Cruise Vacations package."

The "non-refundable cancellation fee" is referring to where you are in the cancellation timeframe window. For example, if you cancelled during the window where you forfeit your deposit only, then Disney would refund you the cost of your cruise except for the deposit. Then the insurance would step in. If you are approved, they will refund you the amount of your deposit. If you are denied, you will receive a cruise voucher for the amount of the deposit. In my previous example, Disney would offer no refunds if you cancelled within 7 days. So the insurance would either approve your claim and give you a 100% refund or deny your claim and give you a 100% voucher. Hopefully that makes sense.

Loads of sense. THANKS!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

For me, this is what it came down to. All of the policies have so many restrictions, that it's difficult to predict what could happen and whether or not it will be covered. So here is a general comparison:

With Disney insurance, if your claim is approved for covered reasons, you get a 100% refund, minus the cost of insurance. If you cancel for any reason not covered, you get a 100% refund as a voucher for a future cruise, minus the cost of insurance.

With other companies, if your claim is approved for covered reasons, you get a 100% refund, minus the cost of insurance. If you cancel for any reason not covered, you get a 75% refund, minus the cost of insurance. (Note that this means you would have to buy a Cancel for Any Reason plan, which I would strongly recommend if you go outside of Disney. Reimbursements will vary, but are generally 75%-80% of the cruise cost.)

For me, Disney has a Cancel for Any Reason plan built into it and I would rather have 100% of my money as a voucher than 75% of my money as cash. So we went with Disney.

Please feel free to call Disney (and any other insurance company) to confirm their policies prior to deciding. It is definitely confusing!

It's a personal decision based on cost and your own needs, but maybe this helped!

For us, it would take something totally catastrophic to cancel. It would definitely be a covered reason. Period.
Not something wishy washy like dh lost his job. That close to cruising time, even if we didn't spend a dime onboard, we'd still go through with it having already paid for it all. Our OBCs more than cover gratuities.
For our family, DCL insurance is double what my TA gets for us also through Access America and unlike DCL insurance, it covers pre-existing conditions which is more of a concern for us than some remote 'uncovered reason'.
jmho. ymmv.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

For us, it would take something totally catastrophic to cancel. It would definitely be a covered reason. Period.
Not something wishy washy like dh lost his job. That close to cruising time, even if we didn't spend a dime onboard, we'd still go through with it having already paid for it all. Our OBCs more than cover gratuities.
For our family, DCL insurance is double what my TA gets for us also through Access America and unlike DCL insurance, it covers pre-existing conditions which is more of a concern for us than some remote 'uncovered reason'.
jmho. ymmv.

I totally agree and those are all valid reasons to go with a third-party insurer.

I looked at Insure My Trip for our cruise, but once I added the "Cancel for Any Reason" clause, I felt that it was about the same price or more than Disney insurance. But I would definitely consider outside insurance in the future. It was just easier to click "Add Insurance" when booking online with Disney!

 

[sayhello]

I totally agree and those are all valid reasons to go with a third-party insurer.

I looked at Insure My Trip for our cruise, but once I added the "Cancel for Any Reason" clause, I felt that it was about the same price or more than Disney insurance. But I would definitely consider outside insurance in the future. It was just easier to click "Add Insurance" when booking online with Disney!

Just remember, that if you did not book your flights through DCL, you are out of luck for those expenses (including expenses if you have to spend the night at an airport hotel due to missed flights, etc), as the DCL insurance only covers what was booked through DCL. Outside insurance covers the entire trip.

Sayhello

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Just remember, that if you did not book your flights through DCL, you are out of luck for those expenses (including expenses if you have to spend the night at an airport hotel due to missed flights, etc), as the DCL insurance only covers what was booked through DCL. Outside insurance covers the entire trip.

Yes, we were aware that DCL insurance only covers items booked through DCL, but thank you for confirming that! We are driving, so luckily, there are no flights to consider. But we are planning on adding a WDW stay for a night or two, although I'm not sure if we'll book it through DCL or separately. There are so many pieces to the puzzle!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

For us, it would take something totally catastrophic to cancel. It would definitely be a covered reason. Period.
Not something wishy washy like dh lost his job. That close to cruising time, even if we didn't spend a dime onboard, we'd still go through with it having already paid for it all. Our OBCs more than cover gratuities.
For our family, DCL insurance is double what my TA gets for us also through Access America and unlike DCL insurance, it covers pre-existing conditions which is more of a concern for us than some remote 'uncovered reason'.
jmho. ymmv.

OK. So after having just posted this not long ago, I now have a question about DCL insurance.
A family that is cruising with us is not sure if they can definitely cruise. As of right now, they haven't bought any insurance and are booked directly with DCL (onboard booking).
The problem is that their daughter plays serious field hockey and might make varsity team. If that happens, she can't miss any games or practices, or so they're told, even for vacations. They won't find out if she makes varsity until start of school in Sept and our cruise is Oct. 30 with PIF date Aug 17ish. She isn't canceling just yet, hoping she'll get some hints from her coach before then but knows she has to make a decision by PIF date. After thinking about DCL insurance, I'm thinking this might work for them.
When they say "if you cancel for a non-covered reason" do they mean if it's denied by the insurance company or for any reason not covered?

So if they buy DCL insurance, which will be steep for 5 guests in 2 cabins, pays by PIF date, and finds out that they can't cruise before Sept 15 which is when penalty goes from deposit amount to 50% of cruise fare, they will basically have that deposit amount as a credit for future use?

Thanks in advance!

I'm so glad my boys are into karate. They simply say "have a great trip!"
Of course, you pay whether they go to class or not.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

After thinking about DCL insurance, I'm thinking this might work for them.
When they say "if you cancel for a non-covered reason" do they mean if it's denied by the insurance company or for any reason not covered?

So if they buy DCL insurance, which will be steep for 5 guests in 2 cabins, pays by PIF date, and finds out that they can't cruise before Sept 15 which is when penalty goes from deposit amount to 50% of cruise fare, they will basically have that deposit amount as a credit for future use?

To answer your question, "do they mean if it's denied by the insurance company or for any reason not covered," the answer is both. It was explained to me that, even if we cancel for a reason that we know is not covered, we were told to still go ahead and file a claim. Obviously, it would be denied, but once they had a formal denial, they can then process the credit for the appropriate amount.

So, in your example, if it happened during the 50% cancellation fee period, 50% of the total cruise amount would get refunded and 50% would be credited toward a future cruise.

Please feel free to have the family call DCL Insurance to confirm their policy details. Also, remember that the insurance would need to be added prior to paying in full. Hope this helps!