Understanding the DCL trip insurance

[jenc842]

I've been scoping out previous threads on DCL trip insurance for our upcoming cruise, but am a little confused.

We are buying flights on our own. In the event of a delay/cancelled flight that causes us to miss the cruise, we would not be able to get 100% of the cruise reimbursed because the airfare was bought outside of Disney, right? But the 75% credit no matter what reason rule still applies?

Second, I also saw suggestions to just shop around buy your own insurance - have any of you used outside plans, where it covers BOTH the flight and the cruise costs? Some of the ones I've priced out shows that it only covers cruises up to $800 which sounds funny to me...wouldn't it cover the entire cruise cost?

 

[BigredNole]

My advice with any document you sign or purchase, discuss it with an attorney...especially from insurance. The wording and coverage is confusing. What is required when filing is confusing. One misstep means they can terminate an entire claim. I did not know how bad the insurance business is until I had to make a claim. They are your friend as long as they are collecting money. The minute they have to make a payout, you enter the 3 D's (Deny, Delay, Defend). That Delay is the worst because there is almost nothing in a contract that states when they have to pay you (if they have to). They can delay those payments for months and years.

 

[Shanti]

I've been scoping out previous threads on DCL trip insurance for our upcoming cruise, but am a little confused.

We are buying flights on our own. In the event of a delay/cancelled flight that causes us to miss the cruise, we would not be able to get 100% of the cruise reimbursed because the airfare was bought outside of Disney, right? But the 75% credit no matter what reason rule still applies?

Second, I also saw suggestions to just shop around buy your own insurance - have any of you used outside plans, where it covers BOTH the flight and the cruise costs? Some of the ones I've priced out shows that it only covers cruises up to $800 which sounds funny to me...wouldn't it cover the entire cruise cost?

Since you're unsure, I recommend sticking with DCLs insurance. Some people like to save money by shopping around, but if you know little about insurance, you're unlikely to find the best, safest deal on your own. The DCL-linked insurance terms are pretty clear. Since attorneys are expensive, unless you have some special circumstance you're worried about, I recommend simply buying DCLs insurance at the time you book the cruise (never cruise uninsured as your health insurance might not cover you overseas), read the fine print & follow it if some kind of cancellation has to occur (for example, get a written doctor's order to cancel before you cancel due to illness, not after) then consult an attorney if they balk at payment.

 

[wombat_5606]

The travel industry recommends you never buy insurance from the travel vendor. You should look into insuremytravel.com or squaremouth.com. If you need to, call them to get your questions answered.

 

[Shanti]

The travel industry recommends you never buy insurance from the travel vendor. You should look into insuremytravel.com or squaremouth.com. If you need to, call them to get your questions answered.

Specifically who in the "travel industry" are you referring to?

Also, when it comes to insurance, I wouldn't count on anything I was told by a salesperson over the phone, but rather only what I see in print in the agreement. "He said she said" won't help you later on if you have to battle with a claims department, but the details of an agreement you have in writing will.

 

[Cali Cat]

I've used insuremytravel.com for my last three cruises. The Disney insurance does not cover things like flights, loss of job, pregnancy, etc. When I go to insuremytravel I am able to compare a bunch of different insurance policies/companies. I am always able to find a policy that covers what I'm concerned about for a price I'm comfortable with. I'm by no means a lawyer or trying to make you use that particular site, there are different sites that do the same thing, just telling you my experience.

 

[wombat_5606]

Specifically who in the "travel industry" are you referring to?

Travel and Leisure, Peter Greenberg just to name two. In fact Travel and Leisure's article shows a picture of DCL and leads me to believe that their insurance isn't even insurance, since it appears it is a waiver-meaning you don't get your money back, just a credit towards a future cruise. I, personally, have never read the DCL policy, because I don't buy insurance from the vendor.

I've been traveling and cruising internationally for around 35 years and have followed renowned travel writers such as Frommers and Fodors and I've always read that you should never buy insurance from the company you purchase your travel. So that's what I've been doing.

As for talking to an insurance agent, yes, by all means I wouldn't rely on what he/she said. But I would talk to an agent to determine what I needed especially if I was new to the purchase of travel insurance, then look at the policy to see if it is confirmed there. If it is not, cancel it and do some more shopping.

 

[Shanti]

Travel and Leisure, Peter Greenberg just to name two. In fact Travel and Leisure's article shows a picture of DCL and leads me to believe that their insurance isn't even insurance, since it appears it is a waiver-meaning you don't get your money back, just a credit towards a future cruise. I, personally, have never read the DCL policy, because I don't buy insurance from the vendor.

You never even read the DCL policy, but advise others not to buy it? Interesting.

You're spreading misinformation in your portrayal of DCL insurance. It may not be the best deal in town, as it's on the pricey side & doesn't cover airfare, but it's bona-fide insurance that will refund money & has coverage for health emergencies, etc., & is completely legitimate.

Since you decline to actually read the policy yourself, here is a "travel industry" article about it:

http://www.travelinsurancereview.ne...-travel-insurance-and-is-it-worth-purchasing/

Article is a few years old, but the main points are the same. One thing that's changed since it was written is that DCL does now have a cancel for any reason option that will give you future-cruise credit- maybe that's where your confusion came from. That is in addition to DCL's standard "covered reasons" insurance that gives you your actual money back.

 

[wombat_5606]

You never even read the DCL policy, but advise others not to buy it? Interesting.

I'm not advising anyone not to buy it. I'm just telling people what I've learned by following the travel industry for years. By travel industry, I am interested in the national renowned companies and/or people. I'm sure I can find a google result that will sustain or disprove any situation I want. I just know that in my 35 years of travel that I have used these travel industry people to guide and advise me and not once have I received any bad information. YMMV!

I'm not going to read the policy, because I don't intend to buy my insurance from Disney at any point. I'm glad you have insurance you like. It's just not for me.

All I am doing is advising the OP on one solution to his question.

Frankly, I'm a little confused on why you are so defensive of this issue. But, hey, do what makes you feel good.

 

[disneyfab]

Travel and Leisure, Peter Greenberg just to name two. In fact Travel and Leisure's article shows a picture of DCL and leads me to believe that their insurance isn't even insurance, since it appears it is a waiver-meaning you don't get your money back, just a credit towards a future cruise.

When our travel agent sent the Disney insurance info, we did not like that the only option appeared to be future cruise credit. I would much rather have the option of a payout rather than a "future credit." After reading on another cruise travel board, we went to insure my trip & trip insurance store to compare policies and prices. Discovered that dh's membership to a group allowed us to pay 1/5 the cost our travel agent quoted for DCL's insurance for what we felt to be a more substantial policy to meet our travel needs.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

We used the site insuremytrip to compare a lot of policies. There is another website that does s similar service. You put in travelers ages, main destination (or first cruise stop) and cost and it will provide you with a myriad of options based on cost and coverage. There is the option to compare. Many of these policies cover lots of your trip aspects.

You have to compare policies to see what they cover, the read the policy that you choose. If you have special circumstances, you can always call/online chat for specifics.

 

[wombat_5606]

Since I'm just sitting around today doing laundry, I decided to just look a little at the Disney policy, since Shanti seems to be so enamored with the coverage.

First, Shanti's link is to an article from 2011. The author writes that the policy is provided by Access America aka Allianz. Right off the bat, I see that DCL now has their travel insurance underwritten by Transamerica. So, if anyone has been relying on this article, you might want to get your current policy out and read it. Some things may have changed.

Next thing I see is that if you have to travel to embarkation by air and you didn't purchase the air from Disney, then you are only going to get 75% of your trip covered by a voucher to be used within one year. ALSO, if you don't let them know before embarkation that you are going to miss sailaway, you get nothing. I can imagine many times that would come into play. Since I would never buy domestic air from Disney, this would not be adequate coverage.

So, right away, DCL insurance is a no go for me. But it may suit one or more people reading this and that is fine with me.

 

[wombat_5606]

Part 2 - reading the DCL insurance and what doesn't work for me:

Medical Evacuation insurance is inadequate in most instances. My research shows that the average evacuation from North America is $25,000 but depending on the particular medical situation could increase to $40,000 or more. Medical evacuation from Europe or farther could go to $100,000 or more. So DCL coverage at $30,000 would not be adequate for me.

Also they have a 60 day pre-existing condition exclusion. It states: "Pre-Existing Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the 60-day period immediately prior to your effective date for which you or your Traveling Companion or Immediate Family Member who is scheduled or booked to travel with you: 1. received or received a recommendation for a diagnostic test, examination, or medical treatment; or 2. took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 60-day period before coverage is effective under this Policy". This is pretty standard travel insurance jargon, but if you bought third party insurance, you could get this exclusion waived.

This is just a few things that don't appeal to me in the DCL policy. I'm sure it's adequate for many, many people. You should read the policy, make sure you understand it and ask questions if you don't.

Finally, purchase a travel policy that covers what is important to you and covers your level of risk.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We used the site ************ to compare a lot of policies. There is another website that does s similar service.

As noted, that site is a blocked one here. That's the one we primarily use, also, but there are others:

https://www.squaremouth.com/ and https://tripinsurancestore.com/ among them.

 

[KristiMc]

I have also purchased through insure my trip. The DCL insurance to me is not thorough enough for the extra cost.