Trip Insurance

Maybe they should call cruise travel insurance it Trip “Assurance” instead, because that’s what it really does – it assures that you are covered if you run into some bad luck throughout your voyage. Admit it, it bugs you to buy insurance of any kind – auto, homeowners, life etc. Because in the back of your mind, it is human nature to say “Bad things happen to other people”. This is akin to saying you would never lose at Russian roulette if you knew each time where the bullet was. But things do go wrong. We like to say that cruise trip protection insurance is the one thing you need to pack for your cruise that you hope you never use.

There are many forms of trip insurance available and multiple places to get them. Costs for coverage are somewhat consistent for the same levels of coverage. Most standard policies cover these major events:
 
· Baggage Loss – Baggage Delay & Personal Effects

· Trip Delay, Cancellation, or Interruption

· Accident, Sickness and Medical Expenses

· Emergency Medical Transportation

· Emergency Assistance Services

If you visit any cruise community forum and ask the question, “Has anyone ever had to use trip insurance that you purchased for a cruise”. You will probably be surprised how many people have used the coverage. The second question (which is very scary) is, “Did anyone not purchase insurance and incur major costs for something that occurred on their trip?” And last but not least, call an Air Ambulance Evacuation service and check the price to transport a medical patient from Cozumel or St. Thomas to your home town. (Hint: It’s usually more than the cost of a new Toyota.

There are a lot of myths that circulate among novice cruisers. One is that cruise lines will refund your money if you get sick and have your doctor write a letter. That stopped working in the mid 80’s. Another is that your current health insurance including Medi-Care will cover you on foreign soil. Again, generally not true. And last but not least is that the cruise line is responsible for your health care while you are on board. Partially true, but you will pay for medical care rendered for any condition not caused by the ship. And while ashore, you are completely on your own.

Trip insurance is not something you can purchase after the fact. Just imagine driving up to the Hertz Car Rental return lot with the remains of a Lexus impaled in your front grill and asking, “Is it too late to add the collision coverage?”

Remember that most “pre-existing” conditions are not covered by your trip insurance so read the coverage completely and if you are unclear as to what is covered and what is not, ask the seller to explain it BEFORE you purchase a contract. Yes, that’s what trip insurance is – a contract between you and the insurer and they go exactly by the small print.

You can purchase cruise travel protection insurance from your cruise specialist, from the cruise line or directly from the insurance company. It is a good idea to shop coverage from a few sources. Keep in mind that some coverage purchased directly from the cruise lines for cancellation is actually called a waiver and you may not receive a cash refund for your cruise but a “cruise credit” which you have to use on that line.

CAUTION: Regardless of where you go to get your trip protection coverage, don’t leave home without it. It’s a small price to pay in the big scheme of things.