DCL travel insurance?

[SL6827]

Tell me the good and bad of the travel insurance through DCL.

 

[lanejudy]

What is PRO vs CON may be subjective:

• It only covers components purchased through DCL (i.e., cruise, hotels, flights, ground transportation, etc.)
• It is purchased until PIF.
• It doesn't cover pre-existing conditions.
• The CFAR offer is a credit with DCL (not reimbursement) good for a future cruise within a limited time period.
• Typically costs more than similar (or better) coverage via a third party.

 

[dreamer17555]

Adding on that for most medical claims, they require you to at least put in a claim to your health insurance, even though your health insurance will deny it before you can place a claim with them

 

[SL6827]

What is PRO vs CON may be subjective:

• It only covers components purchased through DCL (i.e., cruise, hotels, flights, ground transportation, etc.)
• It is purchased until PIF.
• It doesn't cover pre-existing conditions.
• The CFAR offer is a credit with DCL (not reimbursement) good for a future cruise within a limited time period.
• Typically costs more than similar (or better) coverage via a third party.

Thanks. The only one real con there that would apply to us would be it costing more. The rest I am OK with.

 

[SL6827]

Adding on that for most medical claims, they require you to at least put in a claim to your health insurance, even though your health insurance will deny it before you can place a claim with them

Right, I think that applies to most of the insurance companies.

 

[SL6827]

How long do you have to use the credit for CFAR?

 

[Mommb]

How long do you have to use the credit for CFAR?

The credit of 75% of unreimbursed costs toward a new cruise if you cancel for a reason not covered by insurance is good for 1 year.

For a short cruise from the US, it may be worth booking the insurance through Disney for convenience.

For a cruise that goes farther away, you may want to look at other options to see how much they cover for medical care and medical transportation. $20,000 for medical care and $50,000 for emergency medical transportation could be less than the actual costs if your health insurance doesn't apply in the area you're in.

 

[SL6827]

Oh, 75% credit, not 100%? Hmmmmm. But if canceling, the reason should be a covered one with our family.

 

[dreamer17555]

Right, I think that applies to most of the insurance companies.

No, not with Allianz. I had a medical situation on board a Disney cruise and they had the refund into my account within five business days when I submitted the paperwork given to me by DCL. No need to attempt my health insurance first and get a denial; just quickly refunded the cost.

 

[tvguy]

Covid turned the travel insurance industry upside down. It went from one of the most profitable products insurance companies sold, to one that generated huge claims. As always, do a review of what coverage you may already have. If you have group health insurance through your employer, see if it covers medical outside the U.S. It often does. As an insurance rep explained during open enrollment, it is to the insurance companies advantage for you to get medical care outside the U.S. because it is often much less expensive.
Check your credit cards if you booked your ENTIRE trip on the same card, they may offer both medical, evacuation and trip interruption coverage.
I had to start really paying attention to coverage when I went on Medicare because Medicare doesn't cover anything outside the U.S. However, the Medigap Coverage (Part G) I purchased does.
You have to do your homework.

 

[SL6827]

Covid turned the travel insurance industry upside down. It went from one of the most profitable products insurance companies sold, to one that generated huge claims. As always, do a review of what coverage you may already have. If you have group health insurance through your employer, see if it covers medical outside the U.S. It often does. As an insurance rep explained during open enrollment, it is to the insurance companies advantage for you to get medical care outside the U.S. because it is often much less expensive.
Check your credit cards if you booked your ENTIRE trip on the same card, they may offer both medical, evacuation and trip interruption coverage.
I had to start really paying attention to coverage when I went on Medicare because Medicare doesn't cover anything outside the U.S. However, the Medigap Coverage (Part G) I purchased does.
You have to do your homework.

Ya, no outside of U.S. coverage.

 

[Dug720]

I travel enough I decided to get a yearly policy so I'm covered regardless of how/where I travel.

 

[BrokeMack]

I would add that you can delay purchasing through DCL until PIF. Third party insurance typically has to be purchased within a couple of days/weeks from the booking date. So if you're grabbing an opening day cruise, with no insurance, you've got over a year to worry about insurance, whereas if you book then grab third party, you'll be out the cost of the insurance. You don't need insurance until PIF, so I typically wait until then to add it. But I am usually willing to pay a little more for added flexibility. That being said, if anybody knows of an insurance company that will let you purchase insurance on PIF for less than DCL, please share with the rest of us.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I would add that you can delay purchasing through DCL until PIF. Third party insurance typically has to be purchased within a couple of days/weeks from the booking date. So if you're grabbing an opening day cruise, with no insurance, you've got over a year to worry about insurance, whereas if you book then grab third party, you'll be out the cost of the insurance. You don't need insurance until PIF, so I typically wait until then to add it. But I am usually willing to pay a little more for added flexibility. That being said, if anybody knows of an insurance company that will let you purchase insurance on PIF for less than DCL, please share with the rest of us.

Id like to know also. I an DCL noob and I booked my cruise around 6 months ago. I dont even know what PIF is Insurance didnt cross my mind when I booked.

 

[dreamer17555]

I would add that you can delay purchasing through DCL until PIF. Third party insurance typically has to be purchased within a couple of days/weeks from the booking date. So if you're grabbing an opening day cruise, with no insurance, you've got over a year to worry about insurance, whereas if you book then grab third party, you'll be out the cost of the insurance. You don't need insurance until PIF, so I typically wait until then to add it. But I am usually willing to pay a little more for added flexibility. That being said, if anybody knows of an insurance company that will let you purchase insurance on PIF for less than DCL, please share with the rest of us.

True for preexisting conditions that you know of prior to purchasing the insurance often must be purchased within 2 weeks of the deposit for those to be covered but you can add on travel insurance after that. Often cheaper with better coverage than DCL's

 

[dreamer17555]

Id like to know also. I an DCL noob and I booked my cruise around 6 months ago. I dont even know what PIF is Insurance didnt cross my mind when I booked.

Paid in Full date. The date you must have your sailing paid by. When it is depends on cruise length.

 

[Mommb]

I would add that you can delay purchasing through DCL until PIF. Third party insurance typically has to be purchased within a couple of days/weeks from the booking date. So if you're grabbing an opening day cruise, with no insurance, you've got over a year to worry about insurance, whereas if you book then grab third party, you'll be out the cost of the insurance. You don't need insurance until PIF, so I typically wait until then to add it. But I am usually willing to pay a little more for added flexibility. That being said, if anybody knows of an insurance company that will let you purchase insurance on PIF for less than DCL, please share with the rest of us.

Most insurance I've looked at will allow booking after the initial payment date, and often after the final payment date. I book through Nationwide, but the same is true for other companies. I buy the insurance right after I make my final cruise payment, because before that time, I can cancel the cruise for a full refund without needing the insurance. When my daughter decided to join us on a cruise a month in advance, she was able to purchase third-party insurance with no problems.

As mentioned above, you typically do need to purchase third-party insurance within a short time of your initial payment if you want coverage for pre-existing conditions included at no extra cost. You may be able to add coverage for pre-existing conditions later for an extra cost. If you and your traveling companions don't have any conditions for which you're getting medical care that might cause you to cancel the cruise or need medical care during the cruise, you don't need to worry about this coverage.

With insurance booked through DCL, there is no pre-existing condition coverage anyhow, and the insurance is not paid for and does not take effect until the Paid in Full date.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Paid in Full date. The date you must have your sailing paid by. When it is depends on cruise length.

Thank you