Babr

Refer to the Guide to Benefits that came with your card. If you have misplaced it, you can access it online. You are bound by the written provisions, not what the Customer Service agent tells you on the phone; but seek clarification of any part you don’t understand once you have studied it. Note that Trip Interruption will reimburse for the unused nonrefundable expenses if your trip is cut short for a covered reason but only the change fees for return transportation - nothing additional if you had to buy new tickets. As I said earlier, the level of benefit depends on the card; however, any of them will provide only partial protection for travel risks and little to none for medical.

Just know that credit card insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. If there is anything in your medical history that can be attributed to your reason for cancellation, the claim will be denied. They will look at any reported symptoms, tests, treatments, and even RX changes. Travel delay is minimal ($500 pp) and limited to mechanical problems - not illness. Medical is also minimal to non-existent, depending on the policy. The terms in some cases dictate that they arrange the evacuation rather than your primary insurance, which could complicate things. Credit card insurance does not perform the same as a comprehensive travel policy. It is merely a bit of protection applicable in some cases in return for your annual fee. Being from New York is all the more reason to consult a professional because New York has some unique regulations affecting travel insurance.

They have a limited number of insurers because they only do business with companies they have vetted and trust. They have long-term association with these companies and are thoroughly knowledgable of their policies. I wouldn’t necessarily be deterred by having fewer companies to choose from. The real test comes if you have to file a claim.

The board can be useful but also overwhelming with lots of new information and sometimes conflicting advice. Use it to familiarize yourself with the subject, then call the often-recommended Steve or one of his agents at the Trip Insurance Store to find the right policy for your needs/situation. It does not cost anything extra to use their professional service because insurance is regulated by each state. Price is determined by age, amount insured, length of trip, and level of coverage. A comprehensive policy will protect you against cancellation and trip interruption/delay as well as medical costs.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are refundable. You do not have to include those in the amount you insure. Be careful about including air because the airlines issues vouchers if you cancel. Once you accept the voucher, insurance will not reimburse because you have already been compensated. Be sure you understand how that works before you buy. Some policies require that you include all nonrefundable expenses in order to qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver. That complicates the question of whether to insure air and hotels. Technically, those hotels become nonrefundable at some point. IMG policies do not have such a requirement, but I’d discuss it with a professional to be sure since the pre-existing conditions waiver is important to you. Many here recommend the people at Trip Insurance Store.

You don’t have to assume. The covered reasons are listed in the policy under Cancellation.

Chase Sapphire Reserve covers loss or damage to luggage/personal effects that occurs during a covered Common Carrier trip - not shipping.

And as you pointed out earlier, it still may not get you back to the US but to a higher level of care in country that is deemed appropriate by the parties making the decision. If that is the goal, ChezMary may consider a separate evacuation-specific policy like MedJet. It still requires hospitalization, but it does give you a voice in the decision once you are able to be transferred.

Curious about which insurance does not cover COVID these days. Even Allianz has added an endorsement to their policies.

The Travel Delay provision of just about any comprehensive policy will reimburse hotel and meal costs for a covered reason. Illness and orders not to travel qualify for benefits up to the policy limits so look for one with generous daily and maximum allowances. For a ten day quarantine, you may not find a policy that will cover all of it, but you can find policies that allow $250 or more per person per day capped at a 10 day equivalent. Be sure that return transportation is in the separate Trip Interruption provision, not part of Trip Delay as it is in Trawick International plans. They lump it all together which makes the benefit look attractive until you realize that all costs including transportation come from the same allowance. The typical Trip Interruption covers unused prepaid nonrefundable expenses plus transportation home whereas Trip Delay covers hotel, etc. Check the cruise line’s policy for reimbursement of COVID related cancellations or quarantine. Most of those assistance plans are expiring soon, but your trip may be covered. I always feel better telling people to discuss their specific needs with a professional like any of the agents at Trip Insurance Store.

Royal Caribbean’s travel protection has to be added to the booking prior to final payment, probably because it contains a CFAR element. You can still buy third-party insurance, but it will also exclude any time-sensitive coverages such as CFAR or pre-existing conditions waiver. Otherwise, you will be covered for the usual travel risks and medical.

Nor is credit card insurance comprehensive. I’ve described the gaps in coverage a hundred times - here and in other threads - so I won’t bore you with the details. Anyone who is interested can find the limitations in the Guide to Benefits. Likewise, anyone who is willing to rely on something less than a comprehensive policy, also needs to be willing to self-insure those elements that are not included. Once again, the key is to know what is covered and to be comfortable with that.

Unless your employer provides additional coverage, GeoBlu is not a comprehensive travel policy. Medical evacuation is part of the medical coverage in any policy. GeoBlu is considered a medical policy because that is its primary function. Travel benefits are quite limited, and there is no cancellation coverage at all. In policies for sale to the general public, GeoBlu trip interruption is limited to $1,000 whereas a comprehensive policy would reimburse all prepaid unused nonrefundable expenses plus the cost to return home. Trip delay in GeoBlu is limited to quarantine at $500 or less depending on which policy you have, but a comprehensive policy can pay as much as $250 per person per day up to $2,500 per person for delay caused by any covered reason. You are correct that people need to understand what coverage they have before buying a travel policy. Some people are well-served by policies that provide a high level of additional medical coverage. Others also want protection for travel-related risks.

Coverage for pre-existing is time sensitive. Most policies require that you purchase within 14-21 days of initial deposit. If you have missed that window, there are some that will allow the waiver at final payment. A heart transplant is not the typical situation. I suggest you discuss your needs with a professional like one of the people at Trip Insurance Store. They can advise you of what is available.

You do not need Cancel for Any Reason if you are canceling for a covered reason such as illness. Additional reasons are defined in the policy. You can get a refund for 100% of your costs. In your case, you would have qualified for a full refund. CFAR is for any other reason not specified in the policy, but you get only 75% in FCC with cruise-line insurance. It will add significantly to the cost of third-party insurance. You’ll still be reimbursed at 75% but in cash. Carnival insurance may be less expensive because it offers low levels of coverage for medical and other travel risks. A medical emergency is likely to be a greater risk of financial burden, but you have to determine what is important to you, what other coverage you have, and what you are willing to spend. You seem to be unfamiliar with travel insurance. May I suggest you make a list of your questions/concerns and talk to a professional like one of the people at Trip Insurance Store.

Medical will cover treatment for COVID the same as it does any other illness. You’ll need to document the diagnosis with an official test/doctor’s orders, depending on the policy. The same is true for cancellation whether you cancel for COVID or another covered reason. If your trip is interrupted, the Trip Interruption provision will reimburse you for the unused prepaid nonrefundable expenses and transportation home. If you are delayed, the Trip Delay provision will reimburse you for hotel and meals up to the policy limits. This is the provision that pays for shoreside quarantine if that is still an issue. Some people do not consider the medical limits to be adequate in cruise line insurance, but it depends on what other coverage you have. Medical evacuation included in the policy will cover your transfer to another hospital if you need a higher level of care, but it will not necessarily return you to the US. Usually treatment is provided in country, and you are returned home by commercial air once you can travel. The decision is made by the doctors and the insurance company based on medical need. If you want more control of the decision, investigate a separate evacuation policy like MedJet. Cruise line insurance can be a cost-effective choice, especially for older cruisers because the cost is not affected by age as it is with third-party policies. If you have concerns, discuss it with a broker who can advise you of a policy that best meets your needs. Many on here recommend Steve Dasseos or one of his associates at Trip Insurance Store.

Then I expect the COVID-19 Protection Plan will not be extended beyond its current expiration date. Once it becomes “just like seasonal flu” there is no reason to expect FCC or reimbursement if one gets sick.

Check the Benefits Guide again. Trip Delay pays up to $500 per person for a Covered Hazard. That means equipment failure, strike, etc. - not illness. It would not have paid for hotel or meals in this situation. See page 41. Also note under Trip Interruption that it will reimburse for unused nonrefundable expenses, but it pays only change fees for return transportation, not the difference in cost if you have to buy new tickets. See page 33 - last item under Conditions for Cancellation and Trip interruption. It does not cover pre-existing conditions. See page 33 under What’s Not Covered? The OP did not indicate that treatment was related to a pre-existing condition, but it is an important point for anyone who relies on this coverage.

Allianz Cancellation and Trip Interruption max out at $15,000 per policy per year if you choose the highest level of coverage - no matter how many trips you have planned. A single claim could deplete it. I’m sure you know that. Just a bit of clarification for those who may not.

Be sure you fully understand what Chase covers. It is not a comprehensive travel policy. For example, it does not cover pre-existing conditions. Travel delay is limited to $500 pp for things like mechanical breakdown or strike, not illness. Trip interruption will reimburse for unused portion if your trip is interrupted for a covered reason, but it pays only change fees for return transportation, nothing extra if you have to buy new tickets.

Anyone relying on credit card coverage needs to read the Benefits Guide carefully because it is just that - one of many perks provided for the cost of your annual fee, but it is not a comprehensive travel policy. It will cover COVID as you said because it is an acute illness, but it does not cover pre-existing conditions. Travel Delay is only $500 per person for things like mechanical breakdown or strike, not illness. A comprehensive policy would pay for hotel and meals if you were delayed for a covered reason such as COVID. Likewise, the Chase Trip Interruption provision would refund the unused part of your trip and change fees to get home, but it would not pay any increased cost for new tickets unlike a comprehensive policy. In short, it is nice to have as a back-up, but be sure you understand the terms before you bet the farm on it.

Medicare does not cover the cost of care outside the US. Supplement plans have a lifetime limit of $50,000, which still may not be enough for a serious event. Medicare Advantage plans vary, but no healthcare plan will cover travel risks like cancellation or trip interruption. These provisions are also governed by pre-existing conditions. A stable condition does not disqualify one from coverage, but any reported new symptom, treatment, test, diagnosis, or even a prescription change during the look-back period can be the basis for denial of a claim if it can be tied to the reason for cancellation or interruption.

If you are beyond the final payment date, you have missed the last opportunity to get third-party insurance that will waive the pre-existing conditions exclusion; however, if her health has been stable during the look-back period, she may be covered. Discuss it with a broker to be sure.

Unless their policy has changed because of COVID, Windstar required something like a 15% deposit at booking with the penalty period starting about 30 days prior to final payment so there was a window in which your deposit amount was at risk. Buying your insurance when you make full payment will work unless you want time-sensitive coverage like CFAR or financial default. You can still get a pre-existing conditions waiver at final payment with a few policies.

Platinum Protection Plan is insurance underwritten by Nationwide. Cancelling for a covered reason is reimbursed in cash.