What happens if you don't get insurance and...

[kpgclark]

I'm undecided, but leaning heavily towards not getting insurance. I'm wondering if you don't have insurance and you get something like chicken pox. Do you go on the cruise but stay in quaranteen or are you not allowed to cruise? What if you get it while on the ship? Is chicken pox (or other similar ilness) normally covered under insurance? Are you quaranteened for something like pink eye or just not allowed in kid's clubs or something?

If you are seriously ill in the hospital and you call Disney prior to the cruise, are they accommodating at all? Will they let you use your cruise another time or give you a special rate on a future cruise? Do you get no money back at all? I know Disney will be out money if we don't cruise for an unforseen reason at the last minute, don't get me wrong. I'm just wondering what normally happens in these cases.

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by kpgclark
If you are seriously ill in the hospital and you call Disney prior to the cruise, are they accommodating at all? Will they let you use your cruise another time or give you a special rate on a future cruise? Do you get no money back at all? I know Disney will be out money if we don't cruise for an unforseen reason at the last minute, don't get me wrong. I'm just wondering what normally happens in these cases.

This is why they have the insurance, for cases such as that. I would just buy it. If Disney went ahead and let you "off the hook" if you were ill right before the cruise, then there would be no point in offering trip insurance.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Get the insurance. If you were to get chicken pox, it would be awful of you to step foot onto the ship knowing you had chicken pox.

 

[sjm]

I agree, get insurance, but get it from a third party, not Disney.

I have used my insurance twice when I had the flu and could not travel. Both times I got all my money back, except the cost of the insurance.

Also if you are on a cruise and get really sick or have an accident, or need to be medivacted(sp) off the ship, this is covered on most insurance policys. Accidents can happen to anyone, no matter how old or young you are.

Cruise lines will not just allow you to rebook, at no charge. Once you have made final payment, you are out of luck, unless you have insurance.

sue

 

[alexandrew]

My DS woke up the day of our most recent cruise feeling sick...although things worked out when the Dr cleared him,.I had called my TA, who informed me that I would have been out of luck, had we not gone, since I skipped the insurance this time. I thought since we were only taking the 3 day, and on a budget, I'll blow it off.In retrospect, I think I made a huge mistake, since insurance covers you not only for sickness that keeps you from traveling, but accidents or sicknesses while cruising. The cost of a medivac helicopter is staggering, like $10,000.

From now on, I will pay the extra $150.00 for insurance for peace of mind...

 

[vcasey]

Check out Insure My Trip if you're struggling over spending a huge chunk on the insurance. They give you rates and compare all the major 'outside' trip insurance companies. It was almost half the cost for my family. But be sure to get coverage you are comfortable with.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Vcasey-

I went to the web site you listed and put in our info for a quote. I am confused because it was saying only $701 for trip interuption but our cruise is $3,000. We really would just like the coverage if we have to cancel 60 days out. Our medical will cover the other. Will someone explain how this insurance works.

Thanks-

 

[vcasey]

WOW! I was shocked at your quote so I went back out there myself (we purchased a while ago) and typed in our dates and things and now the prices are higher than Disney for our trip too. I didn't know insurance could be so variable. Sorry to send you on a goose chase. (When we originally booked Disney was $99/pp that sight was $119 for 2 of us).

 

[albiats]

I haven't used their insurance and do not endorse their products, but I have compared their coverage and prices in the past.
I checked with CSA Travel Protection and used their 'Silver Plan' to get a quote. You first select 'Traveler' from the home page and then the type of plan you need.

I was guessing at the travel requirements that were discussed earlier with Buzz and Woody's Mom and I used 4 people with ages 36, 34, 8 and 5. I said the total cost of the trip was $3107 and put in a 7 day trip for October 7 to October 14 of 2003.

I had to select the Silver Plan because you only have 14 days from the initial deposit date to seldct the Gold Plan.

The quote came back as $155, which looks more reasonable to me.

I would suggest comparing their coverage and terms closely before buying thheir insurance, but at least the prices seemed more in line.

I also recommend buying the insurance for the medical evacuation coverage and also for protection if a close family member that is not traveling with you becomes seriously ill.

hope that helps

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

The quote was $156 for the insurance but the details said that trip interuption coverage covers only $701. I looked thru all the quotes and they said trip interuption coverage was $701.

I must be missing something here. There will be 2 adults and 2 children and the trip is $3,000. Is there not insurance that covers the entire amount? I thought that was what the insurance was for in the event you have to cancel ????

 

[Michelle]

B&W's mom, that is strange, I just looked at my CSA policy from December and the coverage for trip interruption was listed as the FULL amount of what I paid for the trip and was covering with the insurance. There must be some miscalculation in there somewhere.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

I will try it again...............

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by kpgclark
I'm undecided, but leaning heavily towards not getting insurance. ....

Get insurance!!! We had to cancel a vacation once due to my two youngest getting chicken pox. Thank goodness for insurance! With chicken pox, you can't be exposed to the sun or swim in the swimming pool. Better to be safe than sorry!!

 

[ducklite]

I can't imagine ANY cruise line allowing ANYONE with a communicable disease, especially one like chicken pox which can cause serious long term health issues to others, onto the ship at all.

I also can't imagine why anyone would subject their fellow passengers to a communicable disease, knowing full well that they were infected.

Quarantine in a cabin isn't going to do any good after you've exposed everyone at the port to begin with.

Travel insurance is extemely affordable. It covers a multitude of things, not just trip cancellation. If you think that's expensive, have you priced the cost of an emergency medical evacuation? That can cost over $10k.

Anne

 

[vcasey]

Buzz and Woody's Mom, as we've already discussed, I'm finding that the costs seem varied from company to company but one thing I am sure of is when you get 'trip cancellation/interruption' insurance from an outside company you specify the amount of coverage you want. It works sort of like term life or disability... you want to be paid back a $3000 then you buy $3000 worth of insurance (of course with a ceiling being your actual trip cost). Are your sure the $701 wasn't per person (guessing there are 4 or 5 of you in your party)?

 

[Ginny]

KPGClark -

The travel insurance question is an excellent one and when you are drawing up a budget, it is one area where folks might save a bit. Additionally, because the brochures are in minute print and go on forever, it is hard to really understand what is covered.

I'm sure you were just giving examples but aquiring a communicable disease such as you mentioned - chicken pox or pink eye - would probably stop you from traveling aboard the ship but also on any common carrier. Chicken pox can be a very serious illness (long ICU stays in some cases) and has the potential to kill. Boarding an aircraft or cruise ship could jeopardize others - it is not simply a childhood illness to get through. Not to sound like a shrew but if I saw an adult or child attempting to board an aircraft or cruise ship with visible symptoms of pink eye or chicken pox, I would alert the desk agents because it is a public health risk. And, I would say after the last issue of Norwalk virus, corporate sensitivities are still very high. Again, I know you were just using those two as examples.

Travel insurance is offered specifically for the reasons you listed: unplanned illness or hospitalization. And, as others have stated, interrupting your trip for illness or an unplanned accident can be astronomical in cost. Don't assume that your health plan will cover any of the additional costs unless you have it in writing or a current policy document. Amazing how those benefits can change!!

While I don't know if DCL has assisted folks who have not opted for trip insurance, I certainly would not count on that happening. DCL
is a business (just ask some of the boardmembers who are stockholders) and they offer trip insurance to their passengers to offset the cost of last minute cancellations or trip interruptions. If you opt not to purchase the insurance, I would not expect DCL to "save" my trip or $$ at their expense.............just because of the sheer numbers of passengers who might find themselves in a similar situation.

I hope you make a decision with which you are comfortable.

 

[goofysgal]

And it's not just for illnesses and cancellations--lost luggage is covered also--I just returned from a Carnival Cruise and left 1 piece of luggage in terminal. Carnival shipped it C.O.D. the next day and U.P.S. delivered the notice two days later; however, it's been 10 days and no luggage. Carnival only covers $50 TOTAL for ALL luggage (not sure about Disney's coverage) and U.P.S. only covers $100. Well that piece of luggage had 10 pairs of shoes and 2 remote control cars in it. I too opted not to buy the travel insurance because it was only a 3 day cruise. Well spent yesterday shoe shopping and the cost of 3 pairs of shoes would have more than covered the insurance cost. Had I purchased the travel insurance I would be submitting a claim now for new shoes--I won't make that mistake again!

 

[ChiTownZee]

Carnival only covers $50 TOTAL for ALL luggage (not sure about Disney's coverage)

I think they cover $3,000 per guest for luggage.

 

[kpgclark]

Yes, I was just using chiken pox as an example (my kids have been vaccinated), but what if you develop symptoms to something onboard?

Regarding something like pink eye, you mean trip insurance would cover something like that? Really? That would surprise me. I can't imagine insurers would cover a lost trip due to pink eye.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

PLEASE TAKE THE INSURANCE, WE WENT ON CARNIVAL TWO YEARS AGO AND DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE AND GUESS WHAT, YEP MY BIL GOT APPENDICITISE LOL DONT KNOW HOW TO SPELL IT,BUT ANYWAY HE WAS TAKEN OFF THE SHIP AND PUT IN THE HOSPITAL AND WE HAD TO LEAVE HIM THERE HIS WIFE STAYED WITH HIM,THE COST OF SURGERY AND FLIGHT BACK HOME AND HOSPITAL BILLS WAS LIKE 25,000 DOLLARS,OUTRAGEOUS BUT WHAT COULD THEY DO.
MISTY