iamtrustworthy

Hi johnnyd57uk,

Unfortunately, I can't give you advice about UK insurance plans.

Steve Dasseos

On 7/18/2024 at 5:00 PM, GeezerCouple said:

This is a question we've never been quite clear on.

 

But we've always had private excursions who *would* refund if the ship didn't dock (but not if we were just no-shows, of course).

 

@iamtrustworthy

Steve, could you help out here?

I suspect many would like to know (and maybe it depends upon the specific insurer and policy...?)

This is only if the ship doesn't dock and there is a 3rd party excursion non-refundable.  Not for the "missed port" situation.

Thanks!

 

GC

 

 

Hi GC,

Sorry about the delay responding. I was away for a few days, but thankfully I wasn't caught in the IT travel disaster.

This is tricky because nearly all our customers do the same as you by arranging with private excursion companies or individuals that would give them a full refund if the ship didn't dock.

A few years ago I asked all my companies this: "Are non-refundable excursions covered if a cruise ship misses or skips a port?"

Most of them said "Only if due to weather or mechanical breakdown". And, a few plans also state "In the event Your Travel Supplier makes a change in Your Trip itinerary after Your Scheduled Departure Date, which prevents You from participating in an event/activity Prepaid prior to departure and scheduled on Your Trip itinerary, non-refundable Prepaid event/activity expenses will be payable up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Confirmation of Benefits. Benefits".

Steve Dasseos

On 7/13/2024 at 12:43 PM, MississippiMom said:

We put a deposit down in April 2024 for a late summer 2025 Alaskan cruise.  We did not add travel insurance at the time of the deposit.  Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with lymphoma in June 2024, and have begun chemotherapy treatment.  Prognosis is good, however, things could change at any time.  Are there cancer specific travel insurance policies that I should investigate?

Hi MississippiMom,

I hope you get healed quickly.

I have four plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions if bought by Final Payment. Cancer's covered the same as any other medical condition with no restrictions or special requirements.

If you want a specific recommendation, I'm happy to give it. Go here to give us the details:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-email-contact-form/

Steve Dasseos

13 hours ago, Lileesa said:

We always have to call a special number or get a special policy for NYS residents. I see here we are not eligible for annual policies through you, 

 

Can you simply explain why NYS insurance policies are different? Are the policies better or worse for NY?

 

Thanks!

Hi Lileesa,

The reason they are different is that each State regulates what insurance products are sold to its citizens. They allow plans that meet its laws.

> We always have to call a special number

I've never heard of a "special number" to call to get a policy for a NY resident.

Steve Dasseos

On 7/7/2024 at 6:14 PM, 33aa said:

My wife and I were just on a Viking River cruise. Halfway through, I got sick and we had to leave the cruise to get me to an ER in Germany where I was admitted with Covid and pneumonia. Spent a total of three days and was discharged with a preliminary bill, paid by me, of $5,500. Submitted the claim to Aetna which just denied the claim because of "No procedure billing code" available. What in the world? German hospital, paid and submitted by me. Where exactly would this American insurance billing code come from? We did provide the hospital records so they know exactly what was provided and it was extremely straight forward. Anyone with experience on the best way to handle this?

 

Also interested in anyone's experience with TripMate which is supposed to cover trip interruption. We never made it back to finish the cruise because of fear of spreading it or getting re-infected. Have a statement from my long time Neuro to return  to the states ASAP. Submitted all receipts for lodging, meals, airline tickets, transport and medical including the letter from my Neuro. 

 

Should note this. Viking did not have any covid tests, or masks and would not have required us to shelter in place or quarantine and would have welcomed us back knowing full well I was a probable covid carrier and capable of infecting others. At least one other person was known to have gotten covid and there was an awful lot of coughing and sneezing going on. Just saying. But they were great on helping my wife find an ER, arrange cabs, hotel rooms and packing. So there is that too.

Hi 33aa,

Call the insurance agent that sold you your Medigap plan and have them help you with your claim. They are obligated to help you with your claim because they earned and continue to earn a commission every time you pay your premium.

I've been an insurance agent since 1989. I help all my customers with their claims if they want my help. Even though I can sell Medigap plans, Life Insurance, Annuities and a lot of other plans, I don't sell them very often because my main focus is Travel Insurance.

Here's how a Medigap plan works outside the USA:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/medicare-does-not-cover-you-outside-the-usa/

Steve Dasseos

On 7/2/2024 at 4:04 PM, BazingAu said:

Not sure about annual plans, but we purchased a single trip policy through our TA and it was significantly cheaper than what I found online via the recommended websites. It was about 40% cheaper with the same coverage by a nationally recognized brand.

 

However, IMHO, if you have no travel planned until March, it might make sense to wait until then. As long as rates aren't considerably higher in the spring than during your current renewal time. (Don't know if there are travel insurance cycles.) However, if you do end up taking any trips ahead of time, then you won't be covered.

Hi BazingAu,

I can't speak for the "recommended websites", since I only recommend one website (https://tripinsurancestore.com/) to get a policy from. And, there's no shortage of overpriced policies.

Here's what you need to be certain of:

- Did you get the coverage you need?

- Did your travel agent thoroughly explain what you bought and answered all your questions?

- Will your travel agent help you with the claim and any changes that need to be made to your coverage?

Steve Dasseos

3 hours ago, DonnaK said:

Hi Steve....I'm hoping you can help me sort out my options.

 

My husband and I have 3 cruises booked (Aug 2024, Nov 2024 and Feb 2025)  We did not buy insurance at the time of booking, and the Aug cruise is already paid in full.

 

We would like to purchase an annual policy that includes medical, medical evacuation, etc.  We are 62 and 66, and have stable preexisting conditions (hypertension, high cholesterol) and were both recently diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes.  My husband was diagnosed greater than 60 days ago, and he is stable, but I have had drug and dosage adjustments within the last 60 days.  

 

Can we get medical coverage for the cruises already booked?  From what I read, I do not qualify.  Is that the case?  

When would be the best time to purchase an annual plan, and what would be the best option for us? 

 

Thanks in advance - it's very difficult to sort out online without having someone to explain things to us.

 

 

Hi DonnaK,

Unfortunately, the Annual Travel Medical Insurance I have isn't available to a NY resident.

> I have had drug and dosage adjustments within the last 60 days.  

What date was your last medication change?

Steve Dasseos

2 hours ago, klfrodo said:

Great reminders Steve.

Especially #2 with the current storms barreling down on us.

Thanks for the idea klfrodo.

And, I just found out that Cruise Critic is extending this Q&A through the Summer.

On 6/18/2024 at 12:38 PM, klfrodo said:

For educational purposes only

With your vast 20+ years of experience, could you share the top 2 or 3 mistakes people with travel insurance make that either cause you to SMH or cause the biggest problems with their claims. Also, share what they could have done differently to have made the claim process easier.

 

Or, maybe you've covered this in a blog that you could provide a link to.

 

Thanks

Hi klfrodo,

Here are the top three mistakes:

1) You get ill or injured but you don't go to a doctor. Surprisingly, we talk with many people who do this and then they wonder why their claim isn't being paid. I wrote this on November 3, 2023 about someone on a trip to Australia:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/you-need-to-see-a-doctor-if-you-get-ill-or-injured/

And, this past Wednesday, someone called me after returning home from a Mediterranean cruise. He had a bad fall 6 days before the cruise ended so he and his wife got off the cruise 4 days early because his foot pain was so bad. They flew home on an expensive one-way flight, too.

I asked "Did you see a doctor on the ship or anywhere else before you came home?". He said he didn't want to waste his time getting a diagnosis for an obvious injury, but he did see his doctor the day after getting home. His doctor confirmed that he made the right choice to come home early and his doctor is happy to write a letter explaining what happened.

SMH! I said "As a policyholder you have every right to file a claim. I cannot predetermine your claim, but it's not likely it will get paid because you never sought the advice of a licensed physician while you were on your trip."

2) They wait to buy insurance until it's too late. The vast majority of people that contact us are honest, so if it's too late to get the coverage they need, they graciously accept what we tell them and say "I'll remember that next time I plan a trip."

That said, I received a call on August 25, 2011 just as Hurricane Irene was reaching the US Mainland:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/do-callers-think-we-were-born-yesterday/

3) They don't insure their correct per person trip costs so their claim isn't paid in full. When we ask people what their per person trip cost is, almost everyone divides the total cost by the number of travelers. Sometimes this is the right way to do it, but not always.

I wrote "How To Correctly Quote a Travel Insurance Plan" on February 27, 2008:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/how-to-correctly-quote-a-travel-insurance-plan/

For the last 2 weeks I was writing and re-writing another version. Thanks to @klfrodo's prompting, here's a more timely explanation: "Get Your Trip Cancellation Claim Paid in Full":

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/get-your-trip-cancellation-claim-paid-in-full/

I hope this all makes sense.

Steve Dasseos

On 6/28/2024 at 7:57 AM, klfrodo said:

More would be better 😂 I just didn't want to burden you with too much. I'm sure you've got plenty to do.

It didn't work for today. You got me thinking and I'm gathering them by Sunday.

On 6/18/2024 at 12:38 PM, klfrodo said:

For educational purposes only

With your vast 20+ years of experience, could you share the top 2 or 3 mistakes people with travel insurance make that either cause you to SMH or cause the biggest problems with their claims. Also, share what they could have done differently to have made the claim process easier.

 

Or, maybe you've covered this in a blog that you could provide a link to.

 

Thanks

Hi klfrodo,

I didn't forget about you. I'm working on coming up with the top 2 or 3 because there are more.

I'll write something by Saturday afternoon.

Steve Dasseos

13 hours ago, Couple4funwithothers said:

I booked a cruise during hurricane season out of San Juan PR. We use future cruise credits and of course the cruise wasn't that expensive because It's not summer vacation but hurricane season. We booked a separate airfare arriving in San Juan a day early with a hotel before the cruise. And then on the return they stop in Miami overnight for which we have a hotel and then the next day returning to our home city. I assume the cruise line will not change embarkation and disembarkation ports but the itinerary. I'm not worried about an itinerary change more I cancellation of the crews.

 

I called a competitor’s insurance and honestly, I don't even know how they hire an agent that doesn't understand their insurance. They basically said they do not cover cruises, which I don't know if that's true, but he also said they don't cover delays or cancellations because of hurricanes. But it talks about inclement weather in their policy information which reads like I would need to be a lawyer to understand it.

 

What is covered on the trip by the companies individually themselves is as follows. The airlines I have tickets that if I cancel, they will give me a travel credit. Obviously if they cancel I can either be rebooked or in the event of a hurricane cancellation or something like that I believe they would refund it to my original form of payment if they're responsible and if they cancel for other reasons and the delay is too long basically. They have complicated fare rules but the gist of it is that if for some reason I don't wanna go I get a travel credit. If the flight is delayed and we must stay overnight, and we don't get there till the following day there's added hotel costs that the airline may or may not be responsible for depending upon if it's mechanical or weather related so I could potentially incur that cost. If the airline fails to be able to get me to my destination in time but I can find another airline and they don't cover the change that I decided to cancel and pay for a flight with another airline how would my insurance apply in this circumstance? Am I allowed for example to cancel and rebook if it won't get me to the cruise port in time? It might affect any hotels that I had that our past cancellation date because airline isn't getting me there in time for the stay.

 

The hotel will allow cancellation up to a couple of days before arrival, which I assume I should know by then if a hurricane might be canceling the trip. The same would be true for the return hotel. On the other hand, if something changes and I'm already part of the way and at the last moment they cancel I potentially could lose hotel money. I don't know what happens with companies like Priceline if there's a hurricane in San Juan and nobody can travel there but they've booked a hotel. This might be a separate question from the insurance because in theory they should allow me to cancel for a refund. But if they don't then what would happen with the insurance?

 

I paid additional money for the cruise which I called the cruise line, and they are uncertain what they would do although I know they know they just don't wanna say. I believe they will offer a future cruise credit and potentially a refund if you push them hard enough.

 

My question is how do I put all this together with insurance and what benefits would I get if something happened? Since it's not booked altogether airlines can affect hotels that won't let us use the excuse of the airline for example or the cruise won't let us use the excuse for the airline if we missed the cruise because of airline delays. We might have to cancel one airline and fly in another if I must get creative because of airline delays. What coverage would I need and are these things covered? One big one of course is would I get a refund for my cruise including the future cruise credits that have a value if I don't want a future cruise credit? They applied the value of the credits towards the cruise, but they could potentially say, “Oh, you have to sail within a year” of this cancellation. They could extend a portion at the future cruise credit and refund the portion that was not originally a cruise credit but they couldn’t tell me because they don’t want to answer but they know what they’ll do. Lousy games really. Have clear policies. And not wanting future cruise credit within a year they might not be able to go.

 

Some of the insurance covers medical expenses like having to fly because of a medical condition and trip interruption and all that. I looked over your specific insurance and it didn't look like it covered weather unless I get cancelled for any reason which is only 75%. I’m a little confused as well on your own policy stuff it did not read like some of the competitors which talked about inclement weather.

 

Any information would be helpful. Thanks

 

 

Hi Couple4funwithithers,

Thanks for writing all these details.

> I assume the cruise line will not change embarkation or disembarkation ports but the itinerary.

They would if a hurricane was headed towards an embarkation and disembarkation port.

> We use future cruise credits

I need some more information:

- What do you think all your per person prepaid non-refundable trip costs including airfare, in cash and not future cruise or travel credits will be?

- What does your airline's Contract of Carriage state will happen if they are unable to get you to your destination on time?

Steve Dasseos
 

On 6/26/2024 at 6:22 PM, luckyinpa said:

I usually buy. and just did yesterday from you, the above plan for my cruises. i dont need CFAR coverage but i like the rest of the coverage in this plan.

 

is there any annual plan that has the same, or better coverage than that plan? 

 

or alternatively, if i got an annual plan, what do i lose vs the above plan?

thanks

 

 

Hi luckyinpa,

I haven't found an Annual Trip Cancellation plan that is good enough for me to sell due to their plan limitations, loopholes and with what's needed to cover the changes in travel since Covid started. Look at this this thread on my CruiseCritic.com TripInsuranceStore.com - Summer 2023 Q&A for more information:

Steve Dasseos

On 6/24/2024 at 4:27 PM, catspaw1 said:

NO you are incorrect. I did not book my cruises or an adventure to a bear/fishing lodge in the bush in AK with Costco and yet I was able to purchase the insurance. You must be a Costco member though which of course I am. Executive members also get 2% cash back on everything purchased except gas.

 

Geezer, of course I looked at the exemptions & I booked within 14 days of buying so our preexisting minor medical problems are covered. I research everything before we travel! Have done extensive traveling & lived abroad for 7 years. Trust me I do my homework. I also know that being a Costco member for over 30 years now that if I have a problem with a vendor I reach out to Costco. I know they vent their suppliers well.

 

We are leaving for a Celebrity cruise in less than 2 weeks so hopefully we won't have to use the insurance.

 

Geezer- are you a Costco member? Maybe that's why you don't know much about them. Costco does not sell junk! They would not be happy with the vendor if they don't do the right thing!

 

I have had problems with vendors in the past & Costco stepped right in. My husband says I would not accept moving anywhere unless a Costco is less than 15 minutes away! Love that store!

Hi catspaw1,

I'm a Costco member, too.

Did Costco give you a copy of the Celebrity invoice so you were able to insure the correct per person trip cost?

I don't know why, but some travel agents prevent their customers from seeing the travel supplier's invoice. This causes many people to not insure their correct per person trip costs which means that if they have a cancellation or interruption claim they don't get all their money back.

Steve Dasseos

6 hours ago, bcruisin2alaska said:

We are 6 hours drive from port of Mobile so no flight.. Looking at cruise INsurance 12-1-24-12-7-24. Just need medical coverage, including evacuation & cancel in case of emergency or cancel for any reason, don't know the difference. Can you offer advice on which policy to get (cost of cruise $1550). Since we are elderly my fear is needing air lifted from the ship or port in Mexico.  Thanks.

Hi bcruisin2alaska,

I'll need personally identifiable information from you to tell you the exact policy to get. I don't want you to reveal that here.

That said, when did / will you pay the first payment toward any travel arrangements on your trip? And, is the $1550 cost per person or a total for all the travelers?

Steve Dasseos

18 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Steve you said

You can lower the cost of a Trip Cancellation plan but there are drawbacks, what are the draw backs ?  and is there a big  difference in cost between   30k  50k  75k

Hi Gail & Marty,

These are the drawback:

- Get a more stripped-down plan (but you give up important coverages),

- Move to a different State that's not Virginia or Washington (but's it not always worth moving) or

- Take less expensive trips

As for the difference in the prices for large trip costs, if the trip length is a lot more than 31 days long, then the relative price of a policy has less of a price differential as the trip cost increase versus a trip of less than 31 days long.

Steve Dasseos

17 hours ago, 4catlover said:

Thank you Steve.  I’m looking at your website and it appears I can get the Hurricane coverage with a FlexiPax plan. Would I still need the “cancel for anything” add on? It is expensive so I would like to avoid buying that coverage. 

Hi 4catlover,

No, you wouldn't need to get the cancel for any reason, too.

Also, I have 3 other plans that include similar Hurricane coverage, but the FlexiPax is probably the better priced of the choices.

Steve Dasseos

On 6/22/2024 at 3:40 PM, 2InfinityNBeyond said:

I'm currently in recovery from complex knee surgery and approaching final payment with Holland America 90 days before the cruise, at which time cancellation fees begin. I understand I'm dealing with a pre-existing medical condition and that plans that offer pre-existing coverage would be wise (if I get a plan that I can meet the timing requirements), or even better CFAR since there are many unknowns. But CFAR plans cost a lot and only insure a portion of the cost.

 

What trips me up is the standard wording that when I purchase travel insurance, I need to be medically able to travel. Right now I'm not medically able, but the surgeon says that within 3 months I will be fine to travel. I also may be fine to cruise then but unable to handle the other rigors of travel. If I'm not able to travel right now, does that mean the insurance wouldn't be valid for me in 3 months on the cruise?

 

What should I be doing to protect myself best in this situation? Do I need a surgeon's note now stating that he expects I'll be okay to travel later? The best solution is probably to reschedule, but it's a very unique itinerary that isn't offered at another time.

Hi 2InfinityNBeyond,

I hope your recovery goes well.

Don't buy any insurance if you cannot travel today.

The insured traveler (you) must be able to travel / take a trip on the day you buy your travel insurance. It doesn’t have to be the exact trip you are insuring. Your doctor has to state that you could leave today on a trip. It doesn’t matter if your doctor says you’ll be able to travel later. You will not be covered if you buy travel insurance today. If you are unsure, ask your doctor if you can travel today.

Here's more information:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/what-is-medically-stable/

Steve Dasseos

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

I have been over 70 for a while now, and DW turned 70 earlier this year (actually had her birthday while we were on a river cruise). Yes, I realize we could buy travel insurance from the cruise lines, but the medical coverage seems not to be adequate, and we basically buy the insurance for the medical coverage.

 

If it makes a difference, we have in the past mostly used Travel Guard. 

Hi ontheweb,

You can lower the cost of a Trip Cancellation plan but there are drawbacks. The only legal ways to lower the cost of the insurance are to:

• Get a more stripped-down plan (but you give up important coverages),
• Move to a different State that's not Virginia or Washington (but's it not always worth moving) or
• Take less expensive trips

Steve Dasseos

On 6/23/2024 at 7:35 AM, 4catlover said:

We have a Caribbean cruise on hold for September 2024, and we are looking to purchase trip insurance. We’ve had to use trip insurance in the past (2 times) due to hurricanes in route to booked all-inclusive resorts, so we are big fans of trip insurance. I’ve been looking at cruise policies and most don’t seem to cover cancellation due to hurricane predictions. Are there policies that allow one to cancel or reschedule a cruise due to a hurricane prediction? 

Hi 4catlover,

Yes, but only for a trip cancellation and not postponing or rescheduling a trip. You would have to have a plan that includes the 75% “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage.

Here's more information:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/cancel-for-any-reason-travel-insurance-plans/

Steve Dasseos

On 6/18/2024 at 8:51 PM, rizello said:

I don't have any pre-existing conditions, and I called my medical provider and they walked me through my coverage.  They said I am covered anywhere in the world for both emergency care and urgent care.  I think the main thing I might need is evacuation.  It sounds like they would cover, but it wasn't clear.

Hi rizello,

Chase Sapphire Preferred's exclusion of pre-existing conditions includes you, a traveling companion or a non-traveling family member.

Steve Dasseos

On 6/20/2024 at 10:08 PM, GenXer85 said:

some nutty stuff with my company.  My final payment is due in a little over a month and my cruise is then three months after that.  I would like to buy insurance that will refund me my cruise fare should i be layed off anytime during the 3 month window before the cruise.  I've been with my company for over 10 years.  What is a good company to use for this?  I found one that said if laid off 30 days before vacation, but that does not seem to be appropriate for cruises where you get into full payment 3 months in advance. I;m hoping by buying the insurance I'll have a better change of the terrible thing not happening.  Please advise.

Hi GenXer85,

> some nutty stuff with my company

Are they already hinting at or talking about potential layoffs?

Steve Dasseos

On 6/18/2024 at 12:38 PM, klfrodo said:

For educational purposes only

With your vast 20+ years of experience, could you share the top 2 or 3 mistakes people with travel insurance make that either cause you to SMH or cause the biggest problems with their claims. Also, share what they could have done differently to have made the claim process easier.

 

Or, maybe you've covered this in a blog that you could provide a link to.

 

Thanks

Hi klfrodo,

What does "SMH" mean?

Steve

On 6/17/2024 at 9:17 AM, travelingla said:

We are heading to Alaska for a 10 day land trip on our own - -not thru the cruise line nor any tour company. Can I purchase insurance for the 7 night cruise we are adding to the end of our trip?  Will it pay for just the cruise if for some reason we have to cancel either the entire trip or the cruise if the land portion is not included in the quote?

 

Thank you. Your information is so helpful!!

Hi travelingla,

I appreciate your kind words.

You're able to buy insurance for the seven night cruise but you would still insure the entire length of the trip. Nearly all the plans I have are the same price for trip of up to 30 days long, so adding on the 10 days isn't going to affect the price. You also wouldn't need to insure any of the value of the land trip.

If you cut your trip short due to a covered reason (ie - you get hit by a cement truck) and returned home early, then the travel insurance would reimburse you the money you lost on the cruise.

Steve Dasseos

8 hours ago, SpokanChik said:

We live in the US and will be traveling to Vancouver, Canada, for a cruise to Alaska. When filling out the form for travel insurance, is our destination Canada or Alaska? We will be spending more time in Alaska, but our first destination is Canada.

Thankyou! 

Hi SpokanChik,

I'd pick USA, but I don't know any plans that would penalize you if you selected USA or Canada.

Steve Dasseos