Trip Insurance

[kantner]

Could I get a show of hands please, as to how many previous cruisers purchse the travel insurance. Is it worth the money?

 

[DopeysGal]

I always buy trip insurance and because of two recent things that happened, I always will. We were in Phoenix, waiting for a flight to Los Angeles on a Saturday morning in October. Perfect weather, planes on time and then boom! Because of the fires in Southern California, every airport in the Los Angeles area closed. We had 3 couples on our plane that were going that day on a RCCL cruise. You figure because it's only an hour flight and it was 10am in the morning, no problem. They never did leave Phoenix that day. Who would've thought that a fire would cancel their trip.

Second, I am an extremely healthy mid-40s woman. Last Saturday, I had an emergency operation that I never would've guessed I would have in a million years...no indiction of a problem whatsoever. As I'm laying on the operating table, the last thing I said to the surgeon before going under was "Imagine if this had happened on a cruise ship".

You can never predict the future or what totally unforseen occurence may happen. Even if it doesn't happen to you, it could happen to someone close to you. With what I invest to take a cruise, there is no way I would go without buying the insurance. You just never know.

Deb

 

[kcashner]

Before you decide whether or not to do insurance for the trip, you might want to check out your health insurance policy. Does it cover you out of the US? What about a medical evacuation? My point is that SOME medical policies cover these items, some don't. It's not just a matter of what company your insurance is with, it is a matter of your policy. It's no difference than some medical insurance covers prescription drugs, some policies don't.

A helicopter evacuation from the ship can cost as much as $25,000. Admittedly, the chances of needing this are small, but wow, that is big bucks. It is less to be evacuated from one of the ports of call, but still major $.

You might be able to lose the cost of the cruise, but what if you needed that medical evacuation? Most travel insurance covers things like uninsured medicals, lost luggage, emergency evacuation, etc.

You can get private policies for travel insurance at significantly less money than thru DCL. Also, they will cover your whole trip even if you booked air separately or did separate land/sea trips (whereas the DCL will only cover what you booked thru them). There are 2 mistakes you can make:

The first mistake is to get insurance and not need it. IN that case, you are out a small amount of money--maybe 5-10% of your trip cost.

The second mistake is to not get insurance and need it. In that case, you will be out at least the cost of the trip, and maybe a very lot more.

 

[hayesktrm]

We will now always get travel insurance. A friend got very sick while in Europe and it would have been financially devastating if they didn't have trip insurance. We get Trip Assist through AAA. For $153 it covered my DH and I, and the kids were included free. When you spend that much on a trip, I think it is only smart to protect your investment.

 

[balbrec]

two words,

GET IT!


balbrec

p.s. there are just too many things that can go wrong,
remember Murphy's law.

 

[Otisp]

....and if you have any pre-existing conditions (asthma, etc.), get it soon after you book!

 

[rae519]

There is no excuse for not getting insurance for your health, your life, your auto, your home/apartment or your vacation. It costs so little in comparison with the heartache and financial problems it could cause if you are without it.

Rae

 

[sap1227]

I will never cruise without it again!

When we went on our first cruise we did not get it for a couple of reasons--we live less than 2 hours away from the port so we were not worried about not being able to drive to the port and we were young (25, 26 and a 1 year old) healthy people.

Everything was fine on our cruise, but less than 2 weeks after we returned DS had a seizure and had to be airlifted and in ICU for a couple of days. I can not imagine what we would have done if that would have happened on the boat or in Nassau. The helicopter flight was almost $18K and the flight was less than 10 miles. We would have had a financial nightmare if it would have happened 2 weeks earlier.

The small cost of the travel insurance is very worth it in my opinion.

Christy

 

[bwcb4]

We also bought the trip insurance for mostly the reasons already mentioned, large medical problems.

But as we were planning our excursions, we decided to take the jeep safari tour in Cozumel. I read on the board that you drive yourself through the town to get to the excursion site. We're a "what if" family, so I then called our car insurance company, State Farm. They do not cover you outside of the USA and suggested that we call our cruise company. Called DCL and they said we would be covered for any car accidents since we had the trip insurance and it was an excursion planned through Disney. I don't know if this applies to car rentals or excursions that you book on your own. I was also told to relax by DCL and not to worry so much! We were given the option to cancel the jeep excursion with a full refund up to 3 days (I think it was 3) before we sailed if we were still uncomfortable with driving in the town. We ended up doing it and the tour was a highlight of our trip. The 15 and 12 year old sons loved it!

I also read in another post, that someones daughter, who was sick for a few days on the cruise and requested by DCL to stay in the room, would be refunded by the insurance for the days she was not able to enjoy the cruise. That sounds like another good reason to have the insurance.

 

[prymsu]

I have taken numerous trips and cruises now. The one and only time I didn't purchase it my mother became ill right before I left and rather than have the money go down the drain, we did end up able to go with lots of friends helping out, but i sure would have liked to been able to cancel and get refunded, and then reschedule the trip for another time.

 

[jova]

If you have no pre-existing conditions, is there any reason to get the trip insurance when you book? Can you wait till you are almost 60 days out? Because, if I understand correctly you can get your full deposit back if you need to cancel 61 days before sailing. Do they sell it that late in the game, or do you have to buy it when your book? And, if you buy it when you book and then cancel 61 days before sailing do you lose the insurance premium? Sorry so many questions! Thanks to anyone who can clear up the confusion.

 

[Tandyc]

Now that I realize it's a good idea to purchase trip insurance how do I get it? I booked through Costco, I'm 80 something days away. 60 is just around the corner. Can I purchase through AAA even though none of my trip is with them?

Help! You've all got me scared!

Thanks.

 

[KennyK]

There are many companies that offer travel insurance. One that I use is CSA. It was recommended by my TA for my first cruise and I have used them for each cruise since. You can get a price quote online. I just purchased my insurance for my cruise and I am about 75 days out.

Their site is www.csatravelprotection.com

They are very competitive.

Good luck. I have not ever needed it but living in the Northeast you never know about weather. Especially with so many flights now are connecting.

kennyk

 

[Otisp]

Another good resource for comparison shopping is http://www.insuremytrip.com/.

 

[Tandyc]

You guys are the best. Waiting to get my quotes back as we speak.

Sure appreciate your help.

Tandy