Ken076

I see $575 (split 4 ways that's not too bad) for CSA 'Luxe which includes "Waiver of Pre-Existing conditions if purchased upt to Final Payment - so that would work for you. If you don't want the Waiver (I don't recommend this) you could get CSA '

Custom for $346.

The age 79 is the killer - the 3rd party policies really escalate in price above age 70 or so. Again, I don't recommend but you could insure age 79 with Cruiseline and the other three with a much less expensive 3rd party policy.

ken

luvsvacations -

The 14-21 day number mentioned several places above is the overall range of days for all policies; some insurers are 14 days, some insurers are 21 days. If you're over 14 days since booking, you'll be limited to those insurers with a 21 day delay.

If you do nothing else, checkout CSA 'Luxe plan which can be purchased as late as Final payment to include "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions. This is a far better plan than the cruiseline's but may be a bit pricey - the less expensive CSA Custom plan doesn't include the Waiver.

ken

luvsvacations -

Those premiums you're quoting seem a bit high, but we don't know any details. 3rd party insurance becomes more expensive as your age approaches 70 and of course for for those traveling in suites and such. If there are children traveling, you want to look at the policies that include children free with insured adult. If you don't mind sharing:

Where is the cruise going?

What are the 4 ages of your group?

What is the cost of Cruisefare (don't include Govt Fees and Taxes and pre-paid gratuities) and airfate per person?

What are the begin and end dates?

Is one of your party a member of USAA?

Have you checked your Healthcare (other than Medicare) for specific out of country coverage? Does the credit card you used have (usually minimal) Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Baggage loss/delay coverage?

thanks,

Ken

So when you give RCCL your deposit you can ask to pay for the insurance at that time? Doing this I assume would also help with the pre existing conditions time frame?

 

Thanks

A downside of the Cruiseline Policy is that it does NOT include "Waiver of pre-existing conditions" no matter when you pay for it. You're stuck with a 60-day lookback window from the day you pay for the policy. If any "new" condition occurs during that window, your cruiseline policy will not cover it.

Be aware that a condition is not pre-existing if it was "under control" with no change in Rx or treatment during that 60 days (the exact wording is in the Policy). If you had high blood pressure a year prior, and it was being treated with medication and no change in Rx or hospitalization, etc., during the 60 day lookback, it's not a pre-existing condition.

Again, most of the 3rd party policies include the "Waiver of pre-exisitng conditions" if you purchase the Policy within 14-21 days of booking (with CSA youcan purchase Policy including the Waiver up to Final Payment).

ken

Usually the so-called 3rd party policies are less expensive and higher coverages than the Cruiseline's policy, especially the younger you are. You have to look at price AND the coverages to compare.

The Medical coverage for the Cruiseline policy is very low and the MedEvac coverage is barely adequate (IMO) - the 3rd party policies are usually much higher.

Most 3rd party policies include "waiver of pre-existing conditions" if you purchase w/in 14- 21 days of booking - IMO you should be considering this. The cruiseline policy does not offer "waiver of pre-existing conditions" no matter when you purchase (but they do INCLUDE a "cancel for any reason" coverage albeit a 75% future cruise CREDIT).

I believe ALL of the policies ofer a 10-day review with refund if you're not satisfied. I don't see anything specified in the Cruiseline policy about refund if you pay for the policy at booking but cancel before final payment - but I have heard of same happening - I'd call the CruiseCare (not the RCL) 800 number and ask about this. I've also heard of the cruiseling letting you carry-over your insurance to a later cruise if you re-schedule your cruise.

You may want to checkout the CSA Trip Insurance Policies which allow you to purchase the policy at Final Payment and still get that "waiver of pre-existing conditions" as well as a very good policy.

ken

ken

The last time I calculated, it was somewhere early or mid 70"s that the cruiseline insurance becomes the less expensive choice. But when you DO buy the cruiseline Policy you're getting IMO inadequate Medical coverage and IMO barely adequate MedEvac coverage. ken

First formal nite is the partial day in Nassau. ken

You can check the flowrider time in the Allure Eastern Compass's (FEB 2014) at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x0yek56w4zcfxj5/AAAvQQZU_r4KcCrShYuZizbga

ken

Question for those who know: We tend to think of the term preexisting for only the people traveling. Do we need to worry about preexisting for family members not traveling? An example would be if a family member taking blood pressure medication has a heart attack while you are traveling and you need to return home. Would the insurance company count that as preexisting and not pay?

You need to carefully read each Policy for the wording wrt definition of "pre-existing" and non-traveling family members. Most of the policies I've read only define "pre-existing" for Insured, Travel companion (and sometimes for traveling relatives). This is the case for CSA and TravelGard GOLD.

Also be aware that you do not have a pre-existing condition if you have a condition that is under control, no new RX and no Hospitalization during the Policy's xx day lookback window. So if, duering your Policy's xx day (usually 60 to 180 days) lookback window, you had high blood pressure that was being treated with no change in no medication and was totally under control with no change in tretment, this would NOT be a pre-existing condition and the Policy should cover it.

ken

Kathy - I don't have experience with such policies, but I believe you can purchase "Annual" Trip Insurance Policies - you can probably Google search same on contact InsureMyTrip, SquareMouth, etc., for advice.

As san example, checkout these Travelgard offerings: http://www.travelguard.com/travelinsurance/annual.asp

ken

The pre-existing waiver does not apply to people not traveling. Please, if you do not know what you are talking about, do not confuse the issue. PRE-EXISTING WAIVERS ONLY APPLY TO THOSE TRAVELING!!! The issue discussed here is an issue for those NOT traveling who may have a medical condition. You will NOT be covered as outlined above.

You're correct that the "waiver of pre-existing conditions" for most Policies, applies to the Those Traveling.

However, in several Policies I just checked, the term "pre-existing condition" only applies to The Insured Traveler, a Travel Companion, and a Family Member traveling with the insured; the term does not even apply to those defined Family Members who are not traveling.

For Example -- The CSA Custom Deluxe Policy specifically defines pre-existing condition as applying to the Traveler, Traveling Companion and Family Member Traveling with (the insured). I don't even see a "forseeable exclusion" as mentioned in posts above, and the only requirement for someone to be fit to travel at time pf Policy purchase is the Insured (and that is only to qualify for the waiver.

So for this Policy, where there's no such thing as a pre-existing condition for Family Member left at home, grandma who has had several doctors visits and several treatments and several Rx changes, could be severely hospitalized and you'd be covered for Cancellation or Trip Interruption.

ken

This whole subject is confusing because the wording in the various Policies is confusing.

Regarding your specific policy, IMO the term "pre-existing condition" only applies to the insured traveler and his/her traveling companion and does not apply to any of the defined family members who aren't traveling.

I do wonder why they are so restrictive in their wording using the word prevent - one could easily say that the grave illness or even death of a non-traveling family member doesn't strictly prevent you from traveling.

IMO you're fine. To ease your mind, you might consider calling the Insrer's 800 number, try to talk to an actual claims adjuster, and give him/her your specific situation/scenario (keeping in reserve their definition of "pre-existing condition" as applying only to insured traveler and Companion).

Ken

Booking carnivals insurance protection plan or doing your own plan? Just booked a 7 day out of Puerto Rico during august...figured with weather problems or who knows if any health issues may arise its probably best to go ahead and buy. I have never purchased before.

 

Looks like thru carnival Im looking at 79 x 4 to cover my family.

The cruiseline insurance is generally more expensive than the third party policies, especially if you're younger; the cruiseline's medical coverage of $10,000 is IMO pretty minimal and their MedEvac coverage of $25,000 or $30,000 is IMO pretty marginal. However, the cruiseline policy DOES include "Cancel for Any REason" coverage (albeit a 75% future cruise CREDIT -and- does cover independently booked airfare with no added premium.

You should be able to get some higher coverages with 3rd party policies, several insurers include kids for free with insured adult, some policies include (or offer) cancellation coverage for things like unexpected extended school year. Most 3rd party policies include "waiver of pre-existing conditions" if you purchase w/in 14-21 days (depending which insurer) of booking your cruise.

If you're USAA member you can get some TravelInsured policies with some expanded coverages and at a slightly lower premium.

Don't forget to first check what Trip Insurance benefits might be included by your Credit Card and HomeOwner's Policy, and what out-of-country medical benefits your Health Insurance might include.

ken

Ok

I read my policy and here is the statement from my policy. It's not TG but I think it covers family members at home, as long as I purchase pre existing weaver within the allotted time.

 

With a pre-existing conditions waiver, you'll be eligible for travel insurance benefits should something related to your condition (or your loved one's condition) disrupt your trip. For example, if you are traveling abroad and a family member at home who suffers from a pre-existing condition suddenly takes a turn for the worse, making it necessary for you to cut your trip short, your policy's trip interruption benefits would apply. If you were traveling with a pre-existing condition of your own, and suddenly had a recurrence or relapse that required you to seek medical attention, your expenses would be covered under the guidelines set by your travel insurance provider. Without the pre-existing conditions waiver, you would not be eligible for these benefits.

I read your Policy several times:

As I read the Policy, the definition of pre-existing condition is only stated as applying for the insured traveler and their traveling companion (and is therefore not applicable to the defined family members). So IMO if grandma back home with a pre-existing condition were to become so sick that you had to cancel, the claim could not be denied because grandma had a pre-existing condition:

"Pre-Existing Condition means any injury, sickness or condition of You, an Insured’s Traveling Companion for which within the sixty (60) day period prior to the effective date of Trip Cancellation coverage under the Group Policy (a) first manifested itself or exhibited symptoms which would have caused one to seek diagnosis, care or treatment; (b) required taking prescribed drugs or medicine, unless the condition for which the prescribed drug or medicine is taken remains controlled without any change in the required prescription; or © required medical treatment or treatment was recommended by a Physician."

"The Pre-Existing Conditions exclusion is waived for You if the Insured enrolls You in the Group Policy at the time the Insured pays the deposit required for his or her Trip (or within 21 days of the initial deposit) and the Insured purchases the coverage under the Group Policy for the full cost of their Trip."

What I don't like about this Policy is the wording for Cancellation/Interruption, to the effect that the injury (to Family member) would have to be such that it would prevent you from traveling -and- that a Physician has to advise that you should not travel. Other Policies aren't quite so demanding in their wording.

"The Company will pay a benefit, up to the maximum shown on the Confirmation of Coverage, if You are prevented from taking Your Covered Trip due to:

(a) Sickness, Accidental Injury or death of You, Traveling Companion, or Family Member which results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a Physician at the time of loss preventing your continued participation in the Trip. A Physician must advise cancellation of the Trip on or before the Scheduled Departure Date"

Interestingly, I couldn't find the usual statement that (anyone) has to be fit to travel the day they purchase the Policy.

Some Policies cover expenses for continued treatment at home for 6-12 months after return of a medical situation that occurs and is first treated aboard ship; this policy looks to only cover the (emergency) treatment during the Cruise. This probably isn't important if you have other Health Insurance that will pay for the continued treatment after your return.

The Policy DOES include Accidental Death & Dismembermen (AD&D) which many policies do not include.

NOTE that you do not have to "purchase" the Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions - it's included in the Policy if you purchase the Policy w/in 21 days of booking your cruise. Having the Waiver is nice in that it avoids all the pre-existing investigations/discussions/ambiguities.

Also, be careful; the words your quoting are in a summary/description of the Policy - the only words the Insurer is "held to" are the words of the Policy itself.

ken

We always buy travel guard but now their prices have gone up very high they factor in age, days on the cruise, where you are going and if you want pre-existing condition, you have to buy it 21 days after you book trip and we are past that date (Note that the RCL policy does NOT include "Waiver of pre-existing conditions" no matter when you buy it and has a 60 day look-back for pre-existing conditions from the time you purchase/pay-for the Policy).

 

RCL uses Berkley and so we are thinking of going with them. If we buy our air through RCL, that is included in the same price (you can actually independently book your air and it's still included in the RCL package with no premium increase).

IMO the main downside of the RCI Policy is the $10,000 medical coverage is IMO pretty minimal and the $30,000 MedEvac is IMO marginal. I'd double-check to verify that the TravelGuard premium is really as high as you mentioned - maybe call insuremytrip or squaremouth or ..... and ask?

ken

The Policy defines "immediate family" or equivalent. If you purchase the Policy in the 14-21 days of your cruise deposit, you should be covered for cancellation/interruption (for the conditions specifically described in the policy) for sickness and such for yourself, your traveling companion and your "immediate family" regardless of pre-existing conditions for any of them.

If you read their policies carefully, I interpret that for many policies the "pre-exisiting condition" often looks to apply only to the cruiser and traveling companion and NOT to the rest of the left behind immediate family.

What specific Policy do you have?

ken

RCI's cruiseline insurance includes coverage for independently booked airfare (3rd party policies you have to add airfare to the amount you're covering) and their premiums are not based on age (3rd party policies incorporate age into their premium calculation).

The break even point for AGE for cruiseline versus 3rd party policies is upper 60's-lower 70's -- so unless you are in mid 70's and/or have some very expensive flights to insure, I'd be double checking those very disparate premiums!

ken

when you book a gty , you are only gty'd a cabin, it is s a gamble.

You're guaranteed a cabin in or above the guarantee category that you booked - the OP did not get this (he got a "lower category" cabin which is very, unusual).

The "gamble" is that you'll end-up with the lowest category cabin in the category you booked and not one of the higher categories that you might have scored.

ken

It looks that the TravelEx lookback window for pre-existing conditions is 60 days.

If I was buying a Policy without the "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" and all other selection criteria were equal, I'd want the Policy with the shortest lookback window.

ken

Even if you "think" you don't have a pre-existing condition situation the "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" is advantageous in that you avoid claim delays and inconvenience for the insurer to try to search-out a pre-existing condition in your background so as to nullify the claim. So your claim might be processed quicker.

CSA Trip Insurance includes "Waiver of Pre-Existing conditions" if the Policy is purchased by Final Payment. Otherwise, the lookback window for pre-existing conditions is 180 days prior to date of purchase of the Policy (a previously controlled condition that got worse/changed during that 180 days or a condition that newly occurs in that 180 days would not be covered). If you're looking at CSA policies, look at CSA Freestyle as well as CSA Custom and compare the two.

TravelEx includes "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" if you purchase within 14-21 days of Booking (I forget exactly how many days). Otherwise, the lookback window for pre-existing conditions is ?? days prior to date of purchase of the Policy (a previously controlled condition that got worse/changed during that ?? days or a condition that newly occurs in that ?? days would not be covered).

Primary coverage means (to you) that TravelEx will not have to go thru "coordination of Benefits" with your other HealthCare Insurance(s) and your claim should therefore be quicker and less paperwork. If all other selection factors are equal, I'd prefer Primary! If you don't have other healthcare, it's pretty meaningless.

From the research I did some time ago, I concluded that $50,000 Medical coverage and $100,000 MedEvax coverage would be the minimum coverages I'd want. Many policies have much larger MedEvac coverage.

Ken

Compass scans from FEB Allure Eastern are at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x0yek56w4zcfxj5/AAAvQQZU_r4KcCrShYuZizbga (you can VIEW them on-line or DOWNLOAD them for maybe better quality) and will show formal nites (first is the Nassau day) and all.

If nothing else appeals, consider Godfrey Tours in St Thomas and Bernard's Tours in St Maarten.

It was much less crowded and more relaxing to have Roast Beef sandwich and woup/salad and dessert at the Central Park Cafe on Embarkation (versus Windjammer).

IMO Chops wasn't that great and we'd do Giovanni's (especially with a larger party) if we had only one to choose.

ken

We were in 9205 in February. We were above the Cafe and across from Giovanni's. No noise from Central Park. Nice window seat overlooking the Park and the cabins are a bit larger than most inides (I think 190 sq ft). ken

I have a question about this.

 

Suppose someone has no pre-existing conditions as defined (either "nothing" or "no change in medication/etc." within the required window).

Then they make a deposit, but plan to get the insurance closer to final payment.

 

What if they LATER get some complication or some new medical problem, before they've started the insurance?

Wouldn't that make it impossible to cover anything related to that condition (or perhaps get insurance at all)?

 

Also, at least for the type of coverage we get, the insurance that has to be purchased within 21 days of the first deposit only needs to include the amount of the rather small deposit, not the higher costs of the full cruise/excursions/airfare.

We increase the insurance amount as we increase any non-refundable costs.

 

(One thing we did for a long flight was to purchase fully refundable air tickets. No need to pay insurance for those, and we were guaranteed being able to fly in and back on the dates we wanted. When it came time for final cruise payment, we checked with the cruise line, and they were able to offer us the *same* flights and class of service for a considerably lower - but non-refundable - cost. But by then, we were locked in with the non-refundable cruise fare, so this was okay.)

 

We work with an insurance broker, not with an individual insurance company (who would never tell anyone there is a more suitable or less expensive policy from another insurance company).

 

GeezerCouple

The pre-existing lookback window applies to the date the Policy was purchased (paid-for) -not- the date the cruise was booked. So if you pay for the Policy at final payment, the lookback window would be for "new occurrences or change of treatment" in the xx days backward from the final payment date. ken

Thanks, all. There really isn't one particular excursion that we have our hearts set on. Would just like to be able to get around and see something, since this is our first visit to these two places. So I guess I will take a look at what's available, line up a couple choices, and then book as soon as I am onboard.

Seriously consider Godfrey's Tours in St Thomas and Bernard's Tours in St Maarten for an inexpensive tour of each island with established, reputable Tour operators.

ken

So I just booked a cruise for next October 2015 with a TA for the Oasis. We got an interior room with a window overlooking Central Park. Our total came to $1700, this doesn't include gratuities. We also got $100 OBC. Since this is our first cruise I have nothing to compare it too. This was with the BOGOHO sale. Is this a good deal?

 

 

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This sounds decent to me. Our Feb Allure Cruise (Oasis was about $100pp cheaper than Allure at the time) for Central Park "CV" cabin on Deck 9 overlooking Giovanni's was $1129/pp + $120 Govt Fees & Taxes/pp.

This included small amount of OBC, champagne, one soda card and Specialty restaurant Dinner for 2.

ken