Travel Insurance Advice

[jhlmendez]

Hello,

We booked a cruise in the Wish leaving February 9th and returning the 12th. I am looking to buy travel insurance that will cover cruise cancellation for weather, work, an d plane delay/cancellation related reasons along w/ the standard sickness type coverages. I am particularly concerned about snow storm in Chicago preventing us from making it to Port Canaveral in time for our cruise. Though we don't have our plane reservations yet, we are planning to arrive in FL on the 7th or 8th but I am still a bit scared of some monster blizzard ruining our plans.

My main questions:
1) How much should I insure? Just the cruise cost or should I include the projected cost of airline tickets as well?
2) What dates should I use for coverage? The days we are on the cruise (2/9 - 2/12) or should I include the travel days to get to the cruise (2/7 - 2/12)?
3) Anyone have experience w/ AIG Travel Guard? Their Preferred plan includes cancellation for work related reasons (w/ notarized form from employer), employment termination, inclement weather, etc. Assuming I filled things out correctly, would this plan cover my main concerns?
4) Should I make sure I have insurance all set up before making the final payment for the cruise? Initial deposit was paid in early August.
5) What am I missing? I am new to travel insurance so I am sure I missing something. The only thing I have been able to determine is that I am better off w/ a 3rd party provider than the standard insurance offered through DCL.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank in advance.

 

[Bonnie1222]

I would look at their ratings and how long they have been in business. Insurance goes by state from what I understand so what I can get might be different from you. You want an A+ rated company. Also, make sure you read all the fine print because there are restrictions based on your intial payment.

I can tell you that when I have had questions on coverage the companies I have dealt with were very happy to speak with me on the phone and explain anything I needed.

 

[Mango7100]

With travel insurance, we always insure the projected cost of the whole trip—so include flighrs, lodging before and after, etc. Also put down the dates you want coverage for. For example, if you want your flight covered on 2/7 you can’t put down that your trip begins 2/9 and expect any coverage of what occurs prior to your declared start date. we declare our trip to begin the day we leave the house and end the day we return home.
if you have pre-existing conditions (which can be anything you take medication for or anything you have seen a doctor for in the months leading up to your trip), you typically have to buy travel insurance within 2 weeks of your initial payment (so your initial deposit on the cruise) for pre-existing coverage to be included. DH has a heart condition so we always get pre-existing coverage. We have a Treasure cruise booked in 2025 and already have insurance for it since we needed to purchase it within 2 weeks of our initial deposit. We use Allianz and have successfully filed claims twice with them

 

[tvguy]

Hello,

We booked a cruise in the Wish leaving February 9th and returning the 12th. I am looking to buy travel insurance that will cover cruise cancellation for weather, work, an d plane delay/cancellation related reasons along w/ the standard sickness type coverages. I am particularly concerned about snow storm in Chicago preventing us from making it to Port Canaveral in time for our cruise. Though we don't have our plane reservations yet, we are planning to arrive in FL on the 7th or 8th but I am still a bit scared of some monster blizzard ruining our plans.

My main questions:
1) How much should I insure? Just the cruise cost or should I include the projected cost of airline tickets as well?
2) What dates should I use for coverage? The days we are on the cruise (2/9 - 2/12) or should I include the travel days to get to the cruise (2/7 - 2/12)?
3) Anyone have experience w/ AIG Travel Guard? Their Preferred plan includes cancellation for work related reasons (w/ notarized form from employer), employment termination, inclement weather, etc. Assuming I filled things out correctly, would this plan cover my main concerns?
4) Should I make sure I have insurance all set up before making the final payment for the cruise? Initial deposit was paid in early August.
5) What am I missing? I am new to travel insurance so I am sure I missing something. The only thing I have been able to determine is that I am better off w/ a 3rd party provider than the standard insurance offered through DCL.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank in advance.

Only thing you are missing is reviewing what travel coverage you might have under your credit card, if you purchased the entire trip with that card.
Insure the entire cost of the trip, but no need to have double coverage if you already have coverage through your credit card.

 

[Mommb]

With travel insurance, we always insure the projected cost of the whole trip—so include flighrs, lodging before and after, etc. Also put down the dates you want coverage for. For example, if you want your flight covered on 2/7 you can’t put down that your trip begins 2/9 and expect any coverage of what occurs prior to your declared start date. we declare our trip to begin the day we leave the house and end the day we return home.

This is what we do as well -- the cost I enter when getting insurance is the total non-refundable cost of the trip, including airfare, cruise, hotel(s), transportation to and from the port, and private excursions. Some costs may be refundable with advance notice, but I usually include them anyhow. I've found a $500 increase in costs translates to much less than a $50 increase in insurance and if I do have a catastrophic event that causes me to cancel the cruise, I won't want to worry about who needs to be called when.

If you've already made an initial payment, you won't qualify for any benefits (such as pre-existing condition or cancel for any reason) that are available only when purchased within a few weeks of initial payment.

Since you can cancel the cruise up until the final payment date, the only reason to purchase insurance before final payment is to cover airfare or other non-refundable costs, or to cover any conditions that develop between now and the final payment date. If you're getting insurance, you will want to have it in place when cancellation penalties for the cruise begin.

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with others -- if you are looking for comprehensive coverage, you can't try to pick and choose what parts to cover. Cover the full vacation from the time you leave home until you return home. Include all costs. Some folks will only include the non-refundable portion(s) until such a point as it all becomes non-refundable, then they call to add the extra. I just find it easier to include all at once -- or in your case cover the full cruise but then you will need to call to add the flights once you book those, etc.

ETA: before you buy, be sure to call and ask questions. Don't be afraid of "dumb questions" -- you need to make sure you understand your coverage and what is/is not included. Don't assume.

 

[kiford]

My main questions:
1) How much should I insure? Just the cruise cost or should I include the projected cost of airline tickets as well?

It's usually just the cost of non-cancellable/non-refundable items. There's no point in insuring a higher amount because you'll pay for that and, if you need to collect, they won't pay out for things you can cancel and get refunded.

2) What dates should I use for coverage? The days we are on the cruise (2/9 - 2/12) or should I include the travel days to get to the cruise (2/7 - 2/12)?

Cover the date you leave home to the date you return home. If you don't cover travel days, anything that happens on those days won't be covered and it could mean that, if what happens causes you to miss the cruise, that the cruise also wouldn't be covered (because the incident didn't happen during the insured period of time).

4) Should I make sure I have insurance all set up before making the final payment for the cruise? Initial deposit was paid in early August.

There's usually some wording about the length of time you have. We've purchased insurance in the past where we kept adding to the coverage as we paid for things that couldn't be cancelled or refunded (with appropriate additional cost of course). Sometimes it might require you to get the coverage within 14 days or 30 days of final payment, sometimes before payment.

If we can add to the coverage as we go, then we prefer to get it asap because it can set the date for certain things like pre-existing conditions, notification of changes, etc. Every policy is different so ask and read the coverage terms.

5) What am I missing? I am new to travel insurance so I am sure I missing something. The only thing I have been able to determine is that I am better off w/ a 3rd party provider than the standard insurance offered through DCL.

You might want to get trip interruption insurance so any costs you incur by having to leave the cruise early - for medical reasons, etc - such as additional flight costs, hotel stay, food, etc. is also covered. There will be limits set in the policy and priced accordingly.

IMO, you're always better off getting 3rd party insurance. That allows you to pick and choose the coverage you want, compare prices, etc. DCL won't cover costs for flights unless you purchase through them and then it will also only cover you for the dates of the cruise, not including travel to and from cruise.

My main concerns with insurance are always:

• what happens if my flight is cancelled/delayed and I miss the cruise? And what is the reason for that (weather, mechanical issues) because sometimes they limit the reasons;
• what happens if something happens on the cruise and I need evacuation or medical coverage;
  • what happens if there are other costs like additional flights, food, hotel, etc.
• what happens if I am completely unable to make the flight for other reasons (illness, etc.) and what are those reasons (death in the family, loss of job, etc.). What reasons are covered and what is covered (usually what you've insured).

Then the question is: what are the cost implications of each of those (hotel, medical costs, food, additional flights, loss of non-refundable payments for cruise or other activities) and is the cost of the insurance to cover that reasonable (i.e., are you okay covering the costs or do you need a third party insurer to cover it) and what is the likelihood of it occurring.

In the winter, the risk of a flight delay causing me to miss my cruise is high, but I can also cover that off by going down a day or two earlier and staying at a hotel. What's the cost of that compared to the insurance? And would I rather enjoy 1-2 days at a hotel over paying for insurance?

If there is an accident or I get sick, I'm not that concerned with the cost of flights and ancillary items because we can afford that, so we generally don't worry about covering those interruption costs, If it is an expensive cruise (e.g. 10+ days in Europe), we'll probably want insurance coverage for unused days if we have to cut our trip short like for a death in the family. The risk of medical costs is high so we definitely get that (for the most part it's covered under my company benefits but it still means I need to have that type of insurance). We will often forgo insurance especially for short trips except for medical out-of-country.

I've only once ever purchased "cancel for any reason" insurance because there was a deal at the time and we were waiting on friends to confirm dates and I would have lost my great price on flights if we didn't book that day. There was a high risk of my friends changing the dates and/or having to pay nearly triple the cost for flights, so that made sense. But it almost never makes sense for us at other times.

Basically, you have to consider the potential types of things that might affect your trip, what the likelihood of them happening is, what the cost implications might be, and who is paying for it (you or insurance). Then find the policy that fits those criteria. It's not a fun thing to do but it will grant you great peace of mind. My father got sick in Spain a few years ago, spent 9 days in the hospital and had to be sent home with an attendant who had an oxygen tank and they had to fly first class because of that tank. He figures it would probably have cost about $40K if the insurance hadn't paid for it.

 

[RedHead0186]

Not related to travel insurance, but I would recommend looking at an airline that has several flights from Chicago to Orlando (assuming that's where you'll fly to) a day. That way, if something happens to your flight, you have more potential options to fall back on. Some airlines only run routes a couple times a week (probably less likely in Chicago since it's such a big airport), so that if you miss a flight you might not even have an option until a few days later. Also, be prepared to possibly leave a day or two earlier if they're predicting a storm to come through on your flight date. Yes it's more nights in a hotel in Florida, but for me, probably worth it to know I'm not stuck in a snowstorm and stressing about getting there on time.

 

[tvguy]

I agree with others -- if you are looking for comprehensive coverage, you can't try to pick and choose what parts to cover. Cover the full vacation from the time you leave home until you return home. Include all costs. Some folks will only include the non-refundable portion(s) until such a point as it all becomes non-refundable, then they call to add the extra. I just find it easier to include all at once -- or in your case cover the full cruise but then you will need to call to add the flights once you book those, etc.

ETA: before you buy, be sure to call and ask questions. Don't be afraid of "dumb questions" -- you need to make sure you understand your coverage and what is/is not included. Don't assume.

And another important point. Have enough credit, cash or travelers to cover those expenses out of pocket. In almost every instance, you will be required to pay for whatever insured expenses come up and file a claim when you get home.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Cover your whole trip-from the time you leave until your return trip home. Our flight leaving Orlando got canceled on our return trip after our eastern cruise in May. We were due to fly into our regional airport and they could only fly us into a larger airport that same day. We took that flight, but our car was an hour away at the regional airport. We had to return that day due to a first responder being in the family and they had to get home. And... due to there being a Taylor Swift concert in town that night, there were no ride shares, limos etc available-at all. We had to rent a very expensive car to get home-$400. Thankfully all covered by travel insurance. As mentioned, we did have to pay upfront, but were reimbursed about 3 months later. You just never know.

 

[jujubiee4]

Does anyone ever do annual plan? Have 2 cruises scheduled next year including Greek isles and
wondering if that is better. Also DCL rep told me their insurance covers on ship medical care.
I'm pretty sure she was badly mistaken. Can anyone recommend their company or is that not
allowed? Is there a place to check for A+ ratings? thank you

 

[Flcruising]

Hello,

We booked a cruise in the Wish leaving February 9th and returning the 12th. I am looking to buy travel insurance that will cover cruise cancellation for weather, work, an d plane delay/cancellation related reasons along w/ the standard sickness type coverages. I am particularly concerned about snow storm in Chicago preventing us from making it to Port Canaveral in time for our cruise. Though we don't have our plane reservations yet, we are planning to arrive in FL on the 7th or 8th but I am still a bit scared of some monster blizzard ruining our plans.

My main questions:
1) How much should I insure? Just the cruise cost or should I include the projected cost of airline tickets as well?
2) What dates should I use for coverage? The days we are on the cruise (2/9 - 2/12) or should I include the travel days to get to the cruise (2/7 - 2/12)?
3) Anyone have experience w/ AIG Travel Guard? Their Preferred plan includes cancellation for work related reasons (w/ notarized form from employer), employment termination, inclement weather, etc. Assuming I filled things out correctly, would this plan cover my main concerns?
4) Should I make sure I have insurance all set up before making the final payment for the cruise? Initial deposit was paid in early August.
5) What am I missing? I am new to travel insurance so I am sure I missing something. The only thing I have been able to determine is that I am better off w/ a 3rd party provider than the standard insurance offered through DCL.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank in advance.

You have recieved some good answers but to have your most accurate answer you need to call the company. If something happened you won't have a very strong claim by saying someone on the internet told me this would be covered
1. we cover our whole trip
2. Some policies require you to purchase with in 2 weeks of initial payments
3. Check closely what medical coverage is included. Does your regular health insurance cover out of country expenses. Don't assume. Call and make sure. Also is the amount covered in the travel policy enough? In a real emergency situation a hospital, doctors and medical transportation can cost a lot. You can often increase the medical coverage on travel insurance without effecting the rest of the policy

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does anyone ever do annual plan? Have 2 cruises scheduled next year including Greek isles and
wondering if that is better. Also DCL rep told me their insurance covers on ship medical care.
I'm pretty sure she was badly mistaken. Can anyone recommend their company or is that not
allowed? Is there a place to check for A+ ratings? thank you

We have an annual plan, but it's only for medical/evacuation coverage. We're prepared for the loss on the actual trip costs if it happens, but medical costs when traveling can be HUGE.

 

[John VN]

Does anyone ever do annual plan? Have 2 cruises scheduled next year including Greek isles and
wondering if that is better. Also DCL rep told me their insurance covers on ship medical care.
I'm pretty sure she was badly mistaken. Can anyone recommend their company or is that not
allowed? Is there a place to check for A+ ratings? thank you

DW and I have Allianz Travel for any trip.

 

[Akck]

Does anyone ever do annual plan? Have 2 cruises scheduled next year including Greek isles and
wondering if that is better. Also DCL rep told me their insurance covers on ship medical care.
I'm pretty sure she was badly mistaken. Can anyone recommend their company or is that not
allowed? Is there a place to check for A+ ratings? thank you

We currently have an annual plan through Allianz. After getting cruise insurance for our first 2 cruises, we realized we’ve been self-insuring when we visit family. So now we have coverage for all trips. The main reason for our coverage is for emergency medical evacuation and to a lesser extent rental car coverage. We’ve read too many stories where evacuation cost in excess of $100,000.

Last year, we had a cruise scheduled and a hurricane passed through the area just beforehand. It was not at all stressful days before as I made arrangements to work around the hurricane. Knowing that we wouldn’t lose any money had we cancelled, made it very easy. In the end, any cancellation/change fees were waived so we didn’t use our insurance.

 

[jhlmendez]

Thank you for the insight everyone. I got a nice list of questions to ask before buying and feel I can make a decently informed decision now.

 

[jhlmendez]

1. It's wise to insure both the cruise cost and projected airline tickets.
2. For comprehensive coverage, include travel days (2/7 - 2/12).
3. AIG Travel Guard's Preferred plan seems to cover your concerns.
4. Yes, get insurance before making the final payment.
5. You're on the right track; comprehensive coverage is key.

Thank you. Very helpful.

 

[jazzsmith]

It's wise to insure both the cruise and projected airline ticket costs for comprehensive coverage. Your insurance should cover the entire duration of your trip, including both the cruise (2/9 - 2/12) and travel days (2/7 - 2/12). AIG Travel Guard's Preferred plan seems to meet your needs, covering work-related cancellations and weather issues, but make sure to read the policy details thoroughly. Arrange your travel insurance before making the final payment for the cruise to ensure your investment is protected. Additionally, consider medical and evacuation coverage, especially for international travel, and understand any COVID-19 related policies. Comparing policies and consulting with the insurance provider for any specific questions is also recommended.

 

[beckicnm]

Does anyone ever do annual plan? Have 2 cruises scheduled next year including Greek isles and
wondering if that is better. Also DCL rep told me their insurance covers on ship medical care.
I'm pretty sure she was badly mistaken. Can anyone recommend their company or is that not
allowed? Is there a place to check for A+ ratings? thank you

I have a yearly plan through Allianz. I have 3 cruises scheduled within 12 months, and the overall cost per cruise with the annual plan was very favorable.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I have a yearly plan through Allianz. I have 3 cruises scheduled within 12 months, and the overall cost per cruise with the annual plan was very favorable.

We also have an annual plan through Allianz. We’ve done so for many years, and like the fact that it also covers some features of our domestic travels, like some rental car coverage. We did have a claim more than 5 years ago when we had to cancel a cruise about three weeks prior to our sailing date due to a medical emergency. Submitted our documentation using their online site and received a settlement in the expected amount in about two weeks.