Insurance Options?

[NeverSayNever]

Generally we take the cruise insurance offered by DCL, but this trip we'd like to explore other options. I'd like to hear your opinions on who you have used and why you chose that specific carrier, be it through the cruise line or outside.

All insights appreciated as well as recommendations.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this had been previously discussed.

Never Say Never

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Generally we take the cruise insurance offered by DCL, but this trip we'd like to explore other options. I'd like to hear your opinions on who you have used and why you chose that specific carrier, be it through the cruise line or outside.

All insights appreciated as well as recommendations.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this had been previously discussed.

Never Say Never

I always use one of the various travel insurance comparison sites. You put in your parameters of what you want covered, and they will show you many different company's policies that fit your criteria. You can then compare them side by side.

One site is squaremouth.com. There's another we're not allowed to link here, but if you do a google search for "travel insurance comparison sites" you'll find it.

 

[lindsay0526]

We have always used Travel Insured for ALL of our travel insurance. I prefer my own travel insurance over DCL because my travel insurance covers my ENTIRE trip, or at least the non-refundable portions (transportation, hotels, pre-booked excursions, the cruise, etc). For a 10k policy, with cancel anytime, it was $300. DCL wanted $600 just to cover the cruise ($8300).

 

[Disneypeach]

If you are with USAA you can go thru them to get a discount from one of the big travel insurance companies. I did do comparisons and going thru USAA was definitely a better price...compared apples to apples.

 

[Minnie368]

We used Nationwide for our cruise next month. Used a travel comparison site and they had the best price for same or better coverages. I can’t comment on how they would handle a claim because I have no experience with that but I feel comfortable with an established company like nationwide. They also have great reviews.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We prefer Allianz and kids are free.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We have always used Travel Insured for ALL of our travel insurance. I prefer my own travel insurance over DCL because my travel insurance covers my ENTIRE trip, or at least the non-refundable portions (transportation, hotels, pre-booked excursions, the cruise, etc). For a 10k policy, with cancel anytime, it was $300. DCL wanted $600 just to cover the cruise ($8300).

We always use Travel Insured as well. I've used a comparison site for years and have always found that, after comparing policies, Travel Insured has the most comprehensive insurance (for our needs) at a reasonable price. We've also had to file a few claims over the years and they have always been very helpful and easy to deal with.

 

[LAX]

We always use Travel Insured as well. I've used a comparison site for years and have always found that, after comparing policies, Travel Insured has the most comprehensive insurance (for our needs) at a reasonable price. We've also had to file a few claims over the years and they have always been very helpful and easy to deal with.

That's important and probably worth paying more for. I would hate to fight to get legitimate claims reimbursed.

LAX

 

[ladyofthetramp]

never had to file a claim thankfully-Travel Insured and Allianz are those that we have used. I want my flights, hotels and everything before, after, and including the cruise covered.

 

[czmom]

Definitely price it out with other companies! We use insure my trip to compare.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We prefer Allianz and kids are free.

We used Allianz also. What I liked about them is that they are very helpful on the phone. My sister (whose family was also going on the trip) called them up, asked them about a lot of different coverage options, and they were able to quote her prices for each and answer details about what each type of coverage, erm, covered. We did file a claim with them once (not a cruise, but still an expensive non-refundable vacation) and the claim process was easy and efficient. We had to start our trip late for a valid reason and they refunded the difference and the associated costs of the delay. They told us what documentation they required and once we gave it to them, they sent us our money.

 

[ChicosWife]

This is interesting. I already got the DCL insurance when I booked the trip. Is it refundable, so I can do some comparison shopping?

 

[Geomom]

This is interesting. I already got the DCL insurance when I booked the trip. Is it refundable, so I can do some comparison shopping?

I think that if you're before PIF, you could cancel the DCL insurance with no issue. I would definitely look into getting 3rd party insurance as the DCL insurance only covers anything you bought through Disney. We've used Travel Insured for our 1st cruise and our upcoming cruise this summer, kids under 18 are free. We put the cost of the flights, hotel, and cruise onto it as they're all non-refundable.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

This is interesting. I already got the DCL insurance when I booked the trip. Is it refundable, so I can do some comparison shopping?

Refundable until your paid-in-full date, since you do not actually pay for the DCL insurance until that time. I had added it to a number of cruises we are doing this year, but then decided to purchase a comprehensive annual travel insurance policy (from Allianz) instead, since the annual premium was less than half the total DCL premiums for the three cruises we had booked and coverage for medical treatment and/or medical evacuation had much higher limits. We also gained coverage for non-Disney-related travel expenses that we book and pay for on our own. It took a simple phone call to remove the DCL coverage from our cruise bookings.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Thank you All! This is great information... time to do further research!

 

[ChicosWife]

Has anyone ever had to actually use the insurance? Any issues with the companies outside of DCL, with actually getting reimbursed?

 

[MelSpees]

Has anyone ever had to actually use the insurance? Any issues with the companies outside of DCL, with actually getting reimbursed?

Someone earlier in this thread spoke about there experience with a claim.

 

[scottb8888]

Booked cruise in May and did not get insurance. Is it too late and does it cover if part of the cruise was paid in points? How is that handled?

 

[lanejudy]

Booked cruise in May and did not get insurance. Is it too late and does it cover if part of the cruise was paid in points? How is that handled?

You can shop around. I don't think the DCL-offered policy covers DVC points. If it is available (did you have to pay-in-full when booking since you used points?), I suspect it only covers actual out-of-pocket loss and not points. As with any travel involving "points" or "mileage" - there are insurance policies available, but I suggest you ask very specific questions when insurance shopping.

Also something to consider -- and this may not be your situation -- if you are already aware of a need to cancel, it may not be covered by any policy. Again, ask specific questions about scenarios you are considering might cause you to cancel.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[scottb8888]

thanks.. talking to DVC now . very confusing