Tell me I'm crazy - no travel insurance

[engrdad]

Burnt once, so I am sure I will get blasted for this but....

 

Missed cruise on May 25th, 2011 due to airplane mechanical problems. Opted not to catch up to cruise because we would miss Hubbard and Glacier Bay. Had Princess Insurance so we got 75% cruise credit. Lesson learned... fly in day before.

 

Now booked on June 25th, 2011 cruise. Flying in day before on a direct flight from DTW to ANC (purchased tickets with skymiles). Opted not to take our travel insurance.

 

Reasons:

 

1. Insurance does not cover major carrier delays (found this out the hard way).

 

2. Little risk of missing connections with direct flight. Can still fly in day after if flight gets cancelled.

 

3. Checked with medical insurance and we are covered on cruise in international waters. Even for emergency evac, if required.

 

4. Only thing insurance would be good for is accident on way to airport, major sickness documented by doctor prior to cruise, death of family member.

 

5. Cruise is in 2 weeks. Everyone in family is heathly and doing well.

 

Weighed the pros & cons and do not believe the risk that are covered are likely or insurance for those items is worth over $170 pp.

[cruiseco]

No. "Crazy" is thinking that everyone always needs travel insurance or thinking that it's never useful. You're doing the right thing by rationally evaluating your risk of loss, researching how the various policies will deal with those potential losses, checking out the costs involved, and making an informed decision as to whether or not to buy a policy. Others may disagree with your final decision but they certainly can't say it's a crazy one.

[sirwired]

Yes, for a cruise in two weeks, insurance would be silly since your medical insurance has you covered. (You don't need evac for an Alaska cruise...)

 

As a side note, insurance WILL cover flight delays, just not 1st-party insurance. Most comprehensive 3rd-party policies DO cover flight delays to at least some extent.

[Keith1010]

Insurance of any kind always comes down to the cost and the risk you are taking.

 

Very similar to flying in the same day. It comes down to how much risk you want to take.

 

If you have no problems prior to the cruise with health and your insurance really covers 100% of expenses ( I would be sure that you are 100% correct on that) you are fine. However, if something goes very wrong where you have to cancel the cruise or you learn that your health plan didn't cover what you thought it would then you might regret the decision.

 

The most important thing is to be sure you have all the facts, that you consider all the risks versus the costs, and then make the decision that works best for you.

 

Keith

[C&Dmich]

Re: insurance,

Yeah we got burned on a cancellation we made this past spring. No one twisted our arm to buy it but we figured it was a sure thing, we were going!

 

Oh yeah, anyway we had to cancel a March trip but our TA moved it up to a second cruise we had booked for later in the year. yep you guessed it, had to cancel that trip also. both cases we received our cruise line payment back with no problems. Insurance ahh yes, that after much debate cost us over three hundred bucks.

 

Now comes the dumb part, BEFORE all that happened (buying insurance etc) the wife got sick on a RCCL a year ago and had to use their medical center on board, great service but wow talk about an arm and a leg, definitely U.S. medical rates, but that's another story. Of course Medicare did not pay anything we were in Spain, but surprise surprise our supplement medicare insurance kicked in and pay 85% which was a very pleasant surprise.

 

Bottom line, upcoming trip thru the Panama canal, will stay with our supplement insurance and turned down the offer from the cruise line insurance dept.

So why did we buy the insurance from our TA next year! Have absolutely no idea, must have been one of those days!! where ones outlook is blocked by visions of cruising.

 

Remember if you have medicare supplement it MAY cover your costs, but be sure to check it OUT, before you make any moves. Also remember it does not cover going home for non or even medical emergencies.

 

Have a great trip, we will Nov 28, 2011

 

C&D:):)

[6rugrats]

Why do you think you'll get blasted? It's your money and your choice.

 

I will say we had two very unexpected deaths in our family this year. I always tell my kids, no one gets up in the morning expecting to get into an accident, etc.

[grouchotoo]

Burnt once, so I am sure I will get blasted for this but....

 

Missed cruise on May 25th, 2011 due to airplane mechanical problems. Opted not to catch up to cruise because we would miss Hubbard and Glacier Bay. Had Princess Insurance so we got 75% cruise credit. Lesson learned... fly in day before.

 

Now booked on June 25th, 2011 cruise. Flying in day before on a direct flight from DTW to ANC (purchased tickets with skymiles). Opted not to take our travel insurance.

 

Reasons:

 

1. Insurance does not cover major carrier delays (found this out the hard way).

 

2. Little risk of missing connections with direct flight. Can still fly in day after if flight gets cancelled.

 

3. Checked with medical insurance and we are covered on cruise in international waters. Even for emergency evac, if required.

 

4. Only thing insurance would be good for is accident on way to airport, major sickness documented by doctor prior to cruise, death of family member.

 

5. Cruise is in 2 weeks. Everyone in family is heathly and doing well.

 

Weighed the pros & cons and do not believe the risk that are covered are likely or insurance for those items is worth over $170 pp.

 

As others noted you made an informed decision---However going forward you should consider a few other things. My wife and I have travelled extensively for over 25 years and always buy travel insurance for all international travel--the peace of mind alone is well worth it IMHO.

1. Last minute unexpected illness, death,accident to yourself or nuclear family that keeps you from traveling---this happened to close friends of ours for a two week Mediterranean cruise and they did not have insurance--ouch. I know you noted it but it is a real factor.

2. Double check exactly what your present Major Medical insurance covers--there may be limitations.

3. If you were traveling overseas--Europe, Asia, Australia,etc. your insurance might have limitations on cost and you will in many cases have to pay up front and look to get reimbursement yourself after the fact.

3. Also, the emergency evac (only coming into play if hospitalization is necessary) is to the nearest facility that can care for your problem--not so much of a concern for your present trip but in a third world country I would definitely consider picking up specific Medical Evacuation coverage---I would want to be brought to my home area hospital if I needed hospitalization. This insurance will bring you to whatever facility you request if you have a problem that requires hospitalization----transfers you from one hospital to your preference.

-Barry

[Host Caroline]

Insurance is 170pp? :confused: That seems high for "basic" coverage but depends on age and cost of trip of course but last cruise we took (we re in 60s, had "oceanview" cabin) we paid 130 for both of us with Travelguard we usually use. We are retired and I can't and won't risk losing a couple thousand dollars..

I don't gamble in the casino bec. I love to SHOP:)... and therefore I don't gamble iwth the unexpected i.e. never never don't get the cancellation insurance... something can happen anytime, we can't predict the future..

[Steviewonder1]

We always buy Travel Insurance. Two cruises ago my wife had a case of Gall Stones, turned yellow and we were medevacuated at Sitka Alaska. 3 Days in the Hospital there, an Alaska Air two hopper back to Seattle for our Delta flight back home. Insurance paid for 60% of the cruise, credited two shore excursions, our Alaska airline tickets and had a travel rep in Sitka at our beck and call. When the doctors said she has got to go, I had 5 Princess Staff people helping pack me up in our suite. We did a similar cruise the next year with the proceeds and a little extra.

[aprilivy]

We HAD never bought insurance until we booked our trip to Hawaii. So glad that "something" told me I should....husband had a medical issue the night before our flight from Dallas to LAX and ended up in the hospital with a massive abdominal infection which was followed by surgery for a malignant tumor. Spent 25 days in hospital in Dallas instead of 15 days at sea.

That was March 29th -- Just got our insurance payment this past week for the "cruise tickets" - that was most of the cost and so we're happy!;)

[Lou33]

We always buy Travel Insurance. Two cruises ago my wife had a case of Gall Stones

 

husband had a medical issue the night before our flight from Dallas to LAX and ended up in the hospital with a massive abdominal infection

 

So in "your" cases, it is very wise to have travel insurance. But this doesn't apply to the OP since he is already covered for medical anyway.

[klfrodo]

So in "your" cases, it is very wise to have travel insurance. But this doesn't apply to the OP since he is already covered for medical anyway.

 

Depends on what you consider medical coverage.

 

I'm fortunate to have international coverage.

However, thru research and having a 3 way call with my HR benefits people and my insurance provider, here are some of the caveats.

1. My coverage will be limited to "Out of Network" coverage. So, that's only about 50%

2. My ambulance/air evac is only good for transportation to the nearest facility for stabilization purposes. If I need to be evac'd back home (let's say I'm in a coma) for continued care, that's on my dime.

3. If the country I'm evac'd to requires proof of ability to pay prior to treatment, my insurer does not provide that.

4. If i die, getting my body back home is on my dime.

 

Having the extra protection of travel insurance (the travel policy I buy anyway) covers these potential situations.

[Lou33]

Depends on what you consider medical coverage.

 

 

Yes everybody is different, and that's why I feel it is a good idea to research your medical coverage and make an "informed decision". It sounds like the OP is already adequately covered, and most of the cruise is in Alaska anyway.

 

In my case, we are covered when out of the country, just the same as at home, with no exclusions or limitations. We are required to use a network provider *if available*. But since no network providers are available out of the country, we are reimbursed at in-network rates.

 

We have med-evac, just the same if we are at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or in the Caribbean Sea.

 

We might have to pay to get transported back home, but that would also be true if we traveled across the country, or flew to Hawaii for a land vacation

 

Many (most) foreign medical facilities don't want to see a travel insurance card, they want your credit card. And it is up to you to get reimbursed later, regardless if you have travel insurance.

 

Sometimes we still choose to buy travel insurance, depending on the situation. But in the case of the OP, I think it is perfectly reasonable to consider not buying travel insurance.

[cruiseco]

Many (most) foreign medical facilities don't want to see a travel insurance card, they want your credit card. And it is up to you to get reimbursed later, regardless if you have travel insurance.

 

There's a new wrinkle to that, one which I hope spreads to the rest of the travel insurance industry.

 

EuropAssist has long been one of the world's largest international medical insurance providers. Their main business is supplying medical coverage for business travelers just about anywhere in the world. If you're from France but are stationed in Thailand for 6 months they'll take care of you. In doing this they've built up a large network of doctors/hospitals that will direct-bill EuropAssist for their services.

 

CSA was recently bought out (or merged or something -- not exactly sure of the exact transaction) by EuropAssist and one advantage for their clients is how they can now handle some medical claims. For Example, the Freestyle plan might have a $50,000 medical limit but they've recently added this benefit:

 

"If you need medical assistance while traveling or en route to trip departure, you can call CSA's 24-hour assistance hotline to get a referral within the CSA designated provider network of 30,000 physicians and 180,000 service providers worldwide.

 

Then when you receive treatment, you simply acknowledge that you received the one-time care, which must be under $1,000, and the physician or service provider will submit paperwork to be reimbursed directly from CSA.

 

This allows you to receive treatment without spending your vacation dollars when the unexpected occurs. If the medical expense is more than $1,000 the standard claims process would be in place."

 

$1000 doesn't sound like much but it probably covers 95% of the vacation-related medical problems that pop up -- a bad sunburn, upset tummy, a cut foot, etc. (FYI one source at CSA says their average medical claim is for $400). As far as I can tell there are no shipboard doctors included in this network but there are in many ports of call. Perhaps more useful for a land-based vacation. Definitely a great benefit in many cases and one I hope other insurers pick up on.

[Lou33]

$1000 doesn't sound like much but it probably covers 95% of the vacation-related medical problems that pop up

 

I agree that it would be welcome if travel insurance starts to get accepted worldwide, but I don't know that I would find the CSA insurance that helpful for a cruise. Rather than call a hotline (my cellphone wouldn't work anyway) and get directed to "their" facility, I'd rather just go to the nearest medical facility and give them my credit card, then get reimbursed from my health provider. Especially if it was less than $1,000.

 

Foreign medical facilities really don't have much of an incentive to take travel insurance (and hope to get paid later), when they can just take your credit card (and get paid immediately).

[conquestador1]

I booked a cruise , for 10-24-10, through Carnival and purchased travel insurance for myself $79 and my daughter $49. My ticket cost $556.77, my sister's ticket cost $556.77, and my daughter's ticket cost $209.00. I was unable to go, but my sister & daughter did go. I had a doctor's recommendation to stay in the states. Carnival's insurance carrier Berkley Care only refunded me $209.00, which the price of my daughter's ticket. I won't purchase the travel insurance again. Seems to me, that if you pay more for adult insurance, then Carnival should refund that adult ticket if the adult isn't able to cruise. They refunded me the cost of my daughter's ticket because that was the cheaper ticket. Also had a very difficult time getting the refund check. Berkley would say they sent the check, but I hadn't received the check. They would say that they had to investigate the lost check before they could issue another. This was in March 2011. I didn't receive the check till May of 2011. Had to threaten them with an mention of seeking legal council. I won't book through Carnival again.

[Lou33]

conquestador1,

 

From my experience booking cruises, the first two people in the cabin pay full price, regardless of age. The 3rd and 4th person pays a reduced rate regardless of age. In other words, if you try to book a cruise for only you and your daughter, and there is never a third person, then you can't get that 2nd person at a reduced rate. In fact, even if you book the cruise solo, you need to pay the full price for two people (assuming there is no singles suppliment). The bottom line is they need to fill the cabin at the full fare.

 

If your insurance was $79 for one person, and $49 for the other, then it sounds like that $49 was for the third person. And when you dropped out of the cruise, you became the third person.

 

Is Carnival different?

[cruiseco]

conquestador1,

 

From my experience booking cruises, the first two people in the cabin pay full price, regardless of age. The 3rd and 4th person pays a reduced rate regardless of age. In other words, if you try to book a cruise for only you and your daughter, and there is never a third person, then you can't get that 2nd person at a reduced rate. In fact, even if you book the cruise solo, you need to pay the full price for two people (assuming there is no singles suppliment). The bottom line is they need to fill the cabin at the full fare.

 

If your insurance was $79 for one person, and $49 for the other, then it sounds like that $49 was for the third person. And when you dropped out of the cruise, you became the third person.

 

Is Carnival different?

 

This is correct. Carnival doesn't have "adult" and "child" fares. First 2 in a cabin pay the regular fare. the third pays a reduced fare. In the OP's case, with the cancellation the third person will have to pay more.

 

Say if the booking was originally:

 

Cruiser #1 $556

Cruiser #2 $556

Cruiser #3 $209

 

Cruiser #1 cancels. So BerkleyCare sends you a check for $556. However, Cruiser #3's fare reverts from a reduced third person fare ($209) to a full double occupancy fare ($556). You owe Carnival the difference -- $347.

 

So you'd cash the check for $556 and send Carnival a check for $347. Your net amount that you're going to keep is $209.

 

What BerkleyCare has done is simply to skip those intermediate steps -- they sent you a check for the $209. Done deal.

[conquestador1]

If my daughter had cancelled, I would have paid $49 to receive a refund of $209, but I paid $79 to get a refund of $209. Not quite a great deal. My Carnival agent did not mention this possibility when I purchased the insurance. I thought each insurance amount was to cover the corresponding ticket (ie. $79 covers $556 and $49 covers $209) therefore the difference in insurance cost). I paid $128 to receive $209 leaving me with $81. Not a whole lot to do anything with. No more insurance for me.

[cruiseco]

If my daughter had cancelled, I would have paid $49 to receive a refund of $209, but I paid $79 to get a refund of $209. Not quite a great deal. My Carnival agent did not mention this possibility when I purchased the insurance. I thought each insurance amount was to cover the corresponding ticket (ie. $79 covers $556 and $49 covers $209) therefore the difference in insurance cost). I paid $128 to receive $209 leaving me with $81. Not a whole lot to do anything with. No more insurance for me.

 

But also remember that now your daughter sailed at a $556 fare but still has only paid a $49 insurance premium, Again, it's a wash. You paid $79 for yourself but only got a $209 benefit. Your daughter only paid $49 for her insurance but got a $556 benefit.

 

To insure or not to insure is always a personal choice, but in this case it saved you $81 (the difference between your potential loss -- $209 -- and the total premium paid -- $128). Given what you know now, were you better off with the insurance for this trip or not? I say you're $81 better off. Others may disagree.

[Lou33]

but I paid $79 to get a refund of $209.

 

No, you paid $49 to get a refund of $209. The $49 was for the 3rd person in the cabin. Again, when you cancelled, you became the 3rd person.

 

It still doesn't sound like a great deal, but that's what you bought. There are deals out there. Last year my wife and did a 12 night Mediterranean Cruise, and we found insurance that covered both of us for about $85.

[conquestador1]

The reason I posted to this thread is to let first time cruisers know what Carnival won't tell you.....if you are in a room with 3 or more passengers and someone cancels then you will get a refund of the cheapest ticket in that room, no matter who cancels. No one at Carnival told me this when I booked and purchased the insurance. It's a no win game-if my daughter & I had both cancelled, Carnival would have refunded both our tickets, only to charge my sister with an extra $556 to make up the double occupancy. So I in turn would need to pay her $556 out of my refund. Carnival gets the money back making the insurance worthless.

[cruiseco]

It's a no win game

 

Of course it's a no-win game. Once you have entered the penalty period there is absolutely no way to recoup all of your money.

 

If you didn't buy insurance you'll lose whatever the penalty amount is. If you did buy insurance you will recover the penalty amount but will be out the cost of the insurance.

 

You can't "win", the best you can do is try to minimize your loss. Which you did.

[CRUISE4JANE]

Insurance is 170pp? :confused: That seems high for "basic" coverage but depends on age and cost of trip of course but last cruise we took (we re in 60s, had "oceanview" cabin) we paid 130 for both of us with Travelguard we usually use. We are retired and I can't and won't risk losing a couple thousand dollars..

 

I don't gamble in the casino bec. I love to SHOP:)... and therefore I don't gamble iwth the unexpected i.e. never never don't get the cancellation insurance... something can happen anytime, we can't predict the future..

 

I do gamble in the casino :), but I defintely won't gamble with the unexpected, Insurance is very important to me.

[CRUISE4JANE]

Why do you think you'll get blasted? It's your money and your choice.

 

I will say we had two very unexpected deaths in our family this year. I always tell my kids, no one gets up in the morning expecting to get into an accident, etc.

 

You got that right!