Trip Insurance - yes or no?

[Peachy]

I am wondering what the prevailing wisdom is on the trip insurance. It seems alot to pay... ( I have 8 in my party).
I am wondering what preexisting conditions are excluded. For instance, my folks have diabetes and high blood pressure.
I do recall reading here and there about people falling ill and getting off of the ship via ambulance. Also, does the insurance cover the ships doctor?

*** Every day getting more excited about our upcoming
March 22, 2003 MAGIC cruise!

Peachy

 

[ducklite]

There's a cruiser on these boards right now who's DH was taken ill while onboard. Because they hadn't bought the insurance they have no recourse at all for an expensive ruined holiday while they were quarantined.

We saw someone medivac'ed by helicopter off of CC, that was probably a $10,000 flight.

If you don't buy the insurance and your luggage goes missing, all out of pocket expenses for neccesary items are out of your wallet.

If you miss the ship for whatever reason, you can plan on forking over a LOT of cash to catch it at the next port.

As far as preexisting conditions, most policies state that as long as the person is medically stable at the time of insurance purchase they will cover. Each is different though, it's up to YOU to read the fine print (NOT YOUR TA, NOT DCL, but YOU!)

$500-1000 for the insurance for your party might seem like a lot, but it's no where near the cost of the entire trip.

I bought it, it was worth the peace of mind. I spent almost $7000 on my cruise. $300 for insurance was a drop in the bucket!

Anne

 

[Gretel]

Check you medical insurance that you currently carry also. Ours covers all medical even out of the country. On both of our last two cruises my DD#2 had to go to the ships DR. They put the charges on our account, but when I got home our insurance reimbursed us for the costs. Just have to make sure they give you a copy of the charges.

 

[disneyfan551]

I was wondering about trip insurance too. I had no idea my own insurance may cover expenses! Got to love the disboards!

 

[prymsu]

my family takes lots of trips and i had always purchased trip insurance. Well for our cruise in January, i decided to by-pass. what a mistake. In sept., my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer that was terminal, and because i hadn't purchased trip insurance, nothing relating to her illness was to be covered. buy it, you can not predict the future, especially if you are booking your cruises a year or so ahead of time.

 

[DOCTORRICK]

It's a tough call I think.
I bought it this year for the first time.
We are a 15 person group traveling in catagory 3 rooms, so the total bill for the trip is a lot of bucks. Since we are all family, if something came up we would all be canceling. I felt for a little over a thousand dollars it was worth taking the insurance, rather than risk losing a $30,000 dollar trip. It doesn't affect you Peachy, as your trip is coming up, but do remember that the trip is totally refundable up to 60 days before. Someone might consider not buying the trip insurance until 60 days before for that reason, but, if someone gets sick before buying the insurance that illness would not be covered if it is the cause of your trip cancellation.

 

[tkd lisa]

We had it for our 1/19 trip. We were quarantined with DD and DH missing a day an a half of the 4 day trip. There weren't any medical expenses because DCL didn't charge us for the dr or medicine. But we are going to get reimbursed for some of the cost of the trip. So, the trip $ were worth it. Even without medical costs.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

The peace of mind alone is worth it! Even if your own medical insurance will eventually reimburse you for expenses out of the country it doesn't cover so many of the other things that have been mentioned.

Deb

 

[Gillian]

I'd say buy it too. Ask you travel agent if there are any other options. Michelle at Dreams Unlimited told us about another company to get insurance from, but I can't remember the name. Maybe if you post another question someone knows the website?

The person Ducklite is talking about was told in error by her TA that the insurance was $800 for the family. It was actually only around $260 and they would have gotten it if they had known. We do depend on our travel agents to give us accurate info. Too bad hers didn't!

 

[reneesam]

I vote YES!

I am three days away from cruising and my two yr old spiked a 105 fever last night (see my post on the 2/8 Magic thread.) So far we haven't cancelled as she is doing better on antibiotics (and PIXIE DUST from DISers!) although it is touch and go right now...

Get trip insurance. Anything can happen...insurance is there to help things you cannot predict, especially when kids are involved!

Renee

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

I hope she is better and you still get to go and have fun!

 

[reneesam]

Thanks! What an unexpected surprise.

BTW, We got our insurance through Access America and it was slightly more comprehensive (and expensive) than that offered through Disney. If you search trip insurance you can get a listing of comparative rates for what you need. Good luck! (and wish the same for me!)

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Thanks for the info. Make sure and take plenty of Tylenol and Motrine with a fever that high you will need both if it spikes again and of course a thermometer. Did she have a ear infection? That could lead to the high fever?

 

[reneesam]

Yes, it appears to be an ear infection and she is already responding to antibiotics. Hopefully, her brother doesn't follow suit, but our pediatrician has written us for extra medication for him to take along with us in case he becomes ill too. He also recommended decongestants for the flight (ouch!)

 

[Peachy]

It seem to be overwhelming... Insurance is a good thing!

I cannot believe how quickly I have become hooked again to these boards.

It is no fun to be sick or have anything go wrong, but the insurance does bring a certain piece of mind.

I sure hope everyone stays healthy and happy for their cruising...
smiles to all you happy Disney fans...

Thanks

Peachy

 

[my3kids]

I got insurance from CSA Travel Protection. They have a website and also are one of the ones who are quoted on insuremytrip.com.

 

[alikat99]

Peachy - I just had to say HI. I noticed that you're from Elgin, IL. I grew up and went to high school there (LHS). Small world!

 

[Peachy]

Alikat99 Amy,
I have teenagers who currently are attending Larkin High School.
I wonder if we know some of the same people?? Currently the school is so crowded that they have a slew of mobiles.

I see you made the move to beautiful Florida with the palm trees I love so much - good for you! The winters are still brutal sometimes.

Currently our two favorite vacations are cruising with Disney and a dude ranch in Colorado. I think the cruise is great for spring break and the ranch for the summer.

Our first cruise with Disney we ran into a family that had gone to school with my kids dad... yup - small world!

smiles
Peachy

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by reneesam
He also recommended decongestants for the flight (ouch!)

I'd also suggest Ear Planes. I get TERRIBLE ear pain when I fly, unless I'm using them. They're better than even sucking on something, chewing gum, or swallowing, and they also cut out a lot of the roar from the engines!

Anne