Did DCL increase the price of their insurance?

[lklgoodman]

We normally sail in Jan. Whenever we've bought insurance through DCL it's been less than $350 for my family. I had booked a Jan 2021 cruise, insurance was $337. I'm looking at changing it to end of March 2021. Insurance for exact same cruise in same stateroom is now over $500. Did they increase price or is it because the cruise costs more in March? I couldn't find anything on the site that tells how price is determined, just what it covers.

 

[allashore]

I believe it is a % of what you are paying for cabin maybe 8%

 

[MickeyD]

I found the following:
COST: 8% of the per person voyage fare, including the non-commissionable portion of the voyage fare.
The minimum per person cost is $29 and the maximum per person cost is $399.
Prices are per guest and are subject to change without notice.

HTH

 

[lanejudy]

or is it because the cruise costs more in March?

The insurance premium is based on cruise fare. So if your March cruise costs more than the January cruise, so will the insurance. Like any other insurance - it costs more in premiums to get a plan with a higher payout.
Premiums may be less expensive through a third-party vendor. Comparison shopping can help.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lklgoodman]

Thanks all, looks like I'll be looking elsewhere for insurance if we cruise in March.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

Thanks all, looks like I'll be looking elsewhere for insurance if we cruise in March.

Their insurance is outrageous! When we did an EBTA and a Med on two different lines back to back plus airfare home, for 23 days of travel insurance was only $400ish for all three of us. And we did have to claim airfare and they gave us $1000 back. Disney wouldn’t cover airfare. Just the cruise. Always go with an insurance company outside the cruise line if flying.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks all, looks like I'll be looking elsewhere for insurance if we cruise in March.

It's generally a better option to buy 3rd party insurance. You often get better coverage for a lower cost.

There are several travel insurance comparison sites (google that) you can use to compare different companies policies.

 

[SL6827]

Are there some instances where DCL insurance might be a better buy, like if someone in your party in a lot older?

 

[Gilland18]

Are there some instances where DCL insurance might be a better buy, like if someone in your party in a lot older?

In my experience, yes this is true. My parents cruised with us when they were in their early 80s, we were in our 50s. Same cruise, similar costs, yet their insurance cost through a third party vendor was incredibly higher than ours. So we used third party insurance, my parents used Disney's.

 

[lanejudy]

Are there some instances where DCL insurance might be a better buy, like if someone in your party in a lot older?

For older folks who may have some health concerns, I find it's better to simply purchase insurance that includes a pre-existing condition waiver, and that can usually be included for no extra charge if purchasing the insurance within a short time of making the deposit. If an elderly person needs to cancel for a medical reason, they may not be able to cruise again within the window DCL offers, and/or those funds may come in handy to pay for medical expenses.

The DCL-offered insurance includes the additional component if you cancel for an uncovered reason, and you'll get a DCL credit for a future cruise. "Cancel for any reason" coverage can be purchased from a 3rd party but may be more expensive; often such can be obtained "free" if you purchase the insurance within a short time of making deposit (~14 days, varies by policy). But it's also important to note that the DCL policy isn't like a regular "cancel for any reason" insurance -- you don't get a cash reimbursement, the specific cancelled passenger(s) receive a credit memo that can be used towards a future DCL cruise within a specified period of time. So if something occurs causing a cancellation but you won't be likely to cruise again within about a year, you lose that credit.

That's why it's recommended to comparison shop for insurance that best suits the needs of the traveling party. Some policies may cost more, some less, but cost may not always the ultimate driving factor.

Enjoy your cruise!