Serious question: Why does anyone buy trip insurance unless old or tight budget?

[LadyShiva]

I can vouch for the Cozumel ER, personally. ~$1000 paid upfront and then reimbursed by a combination of trip insurance and primary medical insurance when we got home.

 

My kid and husband are high maintenance, so I buy trip insurance with at least $500K in medical evacuation coverage and my choice of hospitals as a result. :cool: We also make sure we can bring someone from home to escort my kid home if we're in the hospital.

[sarakenny]

I never used to buy travel insurance until my daughter had an emergency appendectomy a few days before we were supposed to leave on a family vacation. I had to fight and fight to get reimbursements but it didn't come without financial penalty - and lots of aggravation. I'd rather lose a few hundred to cover the family than lose many thousands in case of the unexpected.

[tinyrose]

Why?

 

Medical insurance and evacuation!

 

The one time I did NOT buy trip insurance, I got sick while cruising and had to be treated by the ship's doctor. The charge went on my Sign and Sail card. I filed with my employee medical insurance company and the claim was denied. I quickly learned that out of network coverage did NOT include medical care out of the USA. My current medical coverage ( a different company) does not cover out of USA charges either.

 

Older and wiser now, so I am not willing to "gamble" my family's financial future on a serious medical or evacuation situation.

[PoppyandNana]

I never used to buy travel insurance until my daughter had an emergency appendectomy a few days before we were supposed to leave on a family vacation. I had to fight and fight to get reimbursements but it didn't come without financial penalty - and lots of aggravation. I'd rather lose a few hundred to cover the family than lose many thousands in case of the unexpected.

 

Why would you think you were entitled to a dime of reimbursement if you didn't have insurance? If you don't carry comprehensive insurance on your car and have damage if you fight and fight you think you should be covered? You state you had to fight and fight to get reimbursements. Don't know what percentage of monies were credited back to you but if it was more than $.50 guess you successfully scammed the system and is grossly unfair to the rest of us who purchase travel insurance.

[DipBrat]

Some people have different value-perceptions than you do.

 

To some people, a $15 entry fee to a poker tournament, with a chance to win $500 is a good investment.

 

To others, spending $70k on a Mercedes makes sense, but they'll spend their weekends cleaning their own house because it's usurious that the Cleaning Company wants $300 to clean the condo....

 

 

To them, perhaps, insurance is worth it, and upcharge restaurants are not.

 

 

That's why we're all different people. It's what makes life interesting.

 

 

 

.

 

Well said.

 

A TA once confided that the commission on a deluxe travel insurance package can be as much as selling a basic cruise. That should tell you a lot about the travel insurance numbers and incentives.

 

Many of us are already covered by work and credit card insurance and are wasting money with double insurance.

[kcwingwalker]

Medical evacuation is also the reason I buy it. Quite honestly, I don't worry so much about myself. But I do not want anything to keep me from getting the medical care I feel confident in when it comes to my children. You never know what will happen. They are still annoyed with me because I wouldn't let them climb to the top of the Aztec ruins in the pouring rain ( 5 years ago) in Belize because I was afraid of a fall or slip which could cause broken bones!

 

Agree you never know what could happen and ships are not hospitals. We once came very close to a medical evacuation and would never take the risk.

 

It just makes good sense to make sure you and your family are protected. I'm cheap, do not have unlimited funds and don't like to risk what I do have when I can be protected at a reasonable price.

 

And if I lose the price of my cruise it won't break the bank, but again good sense would kick in and tell me to wait until I had made up my loss before I cruised again.

 

Cruise insurance really isn't expensive and hopefully you'll never need it. Some like to play the odds and some don't.................it's up to the individual.

[luvtheships]

Not trying to be condescending here, but trip insurance is one of the worst value things one can purchase. It's pretty much throwing money away unless you have a high chance of using it.

 

I can only think of three scenarios where it makes sense to purchase trip insurance:

 

1) You are living on a tight budget, and the money you lose by not being able to go would be so financially devastating that you couldn't travel again for a long time.

 

2) You are old or in poor health, and there is a fair chance that something will change for the worse between now and your trip.

 

3) You have a family member who is old or in poor health, and there is a fair chance you will have to attend their funeral or final details, and have to cancel the trip.

 

Otherwise, it's a complete waste of money, yet I see many upper-middle class families waste their money on this garbage.

 

Someone please explain to me why they bother.

 

You forgot:

If you have a heart attack onboard or in port

 

If you break you ankle when you trip on the broken sidewalk in Nassau

 

You get hit by a car in Rome

 

Your child breaks an arm on the ship. The day before the cruise or in port. Or gets chickenpox the day before the cruise or strep etc

 

The excursion vehicle you are in crashes

 

Your appendix ruptures at sea

 

I can think of many reasons....

Including

 

You flight is delayed and you miss the ship

 

Your ship hits rocks and sinks and hopefully you were able to grab your bug out bag with your credit cards nice and water tight

 

Actually what is even worse than not buying insurance is traveling with a credit card with a low credit limit

 

I travel with One that has a $30,000 limit and for in a real emergency that is only a drop in the bucket to get us safely home.

 

But you save the $140 it cost 3 of use for our next 12 day cruise. Even with kids sail free and booking 6 months in advance I bought my policy within 14 days of deposit

 

For medical and emergency transport being the reason. Cancellation only a minor consideration.

 

 

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Edited July 23, 2014 by luvtheships

[earlbird]

There are many reasons someone might have insurance.

 

Some people do save for their holidays and take steps to insure they do not lose their hard earned money.

 

Someone might have cancellation insurance. There are a multitude of reasons why you might have to cancel a holiday. Someone could very well be in the position that they could 'afford' to lose the money but prefer not to and by paying a small percentage they can insure that they will not lose their money due to something arising at their job, a family emergency, delayed or missed flight, etc. A winter cruise for someone living in the north is always a 'risk'. If you are cruising a transatlantic itinerary out of Florida it can be quite expensive to have to pay to catch up to your ship.

 

Medical coverage is not only for the old. Rough seas can pitch anyone down a flight of stairs on a ship causing a broken bone or worse. Medical coverage, flights and transportation home adds up quick. It makes sense for the adventurous to get insurance as well -- you can be in tip top shape and be a high level athlete and sporting events can cause injuries, some serious. Medical coverage is not garbage it is smart thinking!!

 

On my last cruise (not NCL) we disembarked the ship and our luggage was not there in the morning. It is amazing how much $$$ in personal property can be in just one bag. It adds up very quickly. Even if you have baggage insurance it is likely not enough to cover the contents. I myself will be looking at that more closely on future cruises and thinking twice before putting my bag out at night.

 

You call yourself a gambler and so you take your chances, there are plenty of other people who chose to travel without taking the risk. To each their own.

 

I think the wording of your post was condescending and insulting and completely unnecessary. You are free to do as you choose but there is no need to judge others and how they choose to spend their money.

 

 

Just my thoughts,

 

 

Rochelle

 

 

Totally agree - especially your last point!!

[vols_159]

Not trying to be condescending here, but trip insurance is one of the worst value things one can purchase. It's pretty much throwing money away unless you have a high chance of using it.

 

 

 

I can only think of three scenarios where it makes sense to purchase trip insurance:

 

 

 

1) You are living on a tight budget, and the money you lose by not being able to go would be so financially devastating that you couldn't travel again for a long time.

 

 

 

2) You are old or in poor health, and there is a fair chance that something will change for the worse between now and your trip.

 

 

 

3) You have a family member who is old or in poor health, and there is a fair chance you will have to attend their funeral or final details, and have to cancel the trip.

 

 

 

Otherwise, it's a complete waste of money, yet I see many upper-middle class families waste their money on this garbage.

 

 

 

Someone please explain to me why they bother.

 

 

Cause crap happens and it's cheaper to be insured than not..

 

 

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[sarakenny]

Why would you think you were entitled to a dime of reimbursement if you didn't have insurance? If you don't carry comprehensive insurance on your car and have damage if you fight and fight you think you should be covered? You state you had to fight and fight to get reimbursements. Don't know what percentage of monies were credited back to you but if it was more than $.50 guess you successfully scammed the system and is grossly unfair to the rest of us who purchase travel insurance.

 

Anger not called for. No scam. We rebooked the vacation with the same airline and the same hotel and everything else. And we learned our lesson and now always purchase travel insurance.

 

And, thankfully, after severe complications my daughter recovered and is happy & healthy ten years later.

 

It amazes me how quickly people get angry on these boards.

[kevin1877]

Travelers insurance is a great purchase. At $99 per person I have the peace of mind knowing if I get hurt / sick etc I am covered

 

My wife nearly died while on the ncl Dawn back in 09 and we had to disembark in Samanna. She spent 2 weeks in a Dominican hospital. That "waste of money" travelers insurance covered her medical costs AND travel home to include a travel nurse.

 

I won't go on a cruise without it. I just spent 3 grand on a Getaway cruise, so what's another $198 to insure my wife and I?

 

 

 

 

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[PoppyandNana]

You forgot:

If you have a heart attack onboard or in port

 

If you break you ankle when you trip on the broken sidewalk in Nassau

 

You get hit by a car in Rome

 

Your child breaks an arm on the ship. The day before the cruise or in port. Or gets chickenpox the day before the cruise or strep etc

 

The excursion vehicle you are in crashes

 

Your appendix ruptures at sea

 

I can think of many reasons....

Including

 

You flight is delayed and you miss the ship

 

Your ship hits rocks and sinks and hopefully you were able to grab your bug out bag with your credit cards nice and water tight

 

Actually what is even worse than not buying insurance is traveling with a credit card with a low credit limit

 

I travel with One that has a $30,000 limit and for in a real emergency that is only a drop in the bucket to get us safely home.

 

But you save the $140 it cost 3 of use for our next 12 day cruise. Even with kids sail free and booking 6 months in advance I bought my policy within 14 days of deposit

 

For medical and emergency transport being the reason. Cancellation only a minor consideration.

 

 

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How can you say cancellation is a minor consideration? If you have $6,000 on the table for a cruise and you have emergency surgery and have to cancel days before sailing the difference between having insurance and not is eating the six grand or as in our case getting a check for $6,000 three weeks after filing.

[luvtheships]

How can you say cancellation is a minor consideration? If you have $6,000 on the table for a cruise and you have emergency surgery and have to cancel days before sailing the difference between having insurance and not is eating the six grand or as in our case getting a check for $6,000 three weeks after filing.

 

 

Retread the op and the

. The op claims the cruise cost can be absorbed by many and maybe some can and that is what I was referring to

 

Actually for 3 of us for 12 days in January the cost is $1500 that I would lose. Taxes and port don't count if course

 

I certainly didn't buy the insurance for that cost but I certainly wouldn't want to lose it I bought it for accident and medical and oh if the train/ bus/ car breaks down on the way to the ship

 

 

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Edited July 23, 2014 by luvtheships

[cruisinmeme]

Ok don't buy the insurance, it is that simple. It is not mandatory .

I might add most people do get tired of the people do get tired of someone that didn't buy insurance and want to cry about their unexpected problem.

I know you want believe this, but there has been more than a few cruisers that wasn't old and in poor health that had emergency issues.

[DevCruise]

Go take a look at the NCL Facebook page right now. There's an entire family on there complaining how horrible NCL is for not refunding their lost funds after they all cancelled their cruise due to a sick family member with cancer and don't understand why NCL can't make an exception.

[PoppyandNana]

Anger not called for. No scam. We rebooked the vacation with the same airline and the same hotel and everything else. And we learned our lesson and now always purchase travel insurance.

 

And, thankfully, after severe complications my daughter recovered and is happy & healthy ten years later.

 

It amazes me how quickly people get angry on these boards.

 

Sorry for the brusqueness. Have read way too many posts of people that do not purchase insurance then when an emergency arises yell and scream because the cruise line won't give them their money back.

[PoppyandNana]

Retread the op and the

. The op claims the cruise cost can be absorbed by many and maybe some can and that is what I was referring to

 

Actually for 3 of us for 12 days in January the cost is $1500 that I would lose. Taxes and port don't count if course

 

I certainly didn't buy the insurance for that cost but I certainly wouldn't want to lose it I bought it for accident and medical and oh if the train/ bus/ car breaks down on the way to the ship

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

What cruise line were you booked on that a 12 day cruise for three people cost $1,500? What do you mean taxes and poet charges don't count?

Edited July 23, 2014 by PoppyandNana

[sarakenny]

Sorry for the brusqueness. Have read way too many posts of people that do not purchase insurance then when an emergency arises yell and scream because the cruise line won't give them their money back.

 

Apology accepted.

 

Happy cruising!

[Mommypig]

Even tho I have enough saving where we would not be financially devastated by the loss of cruise costs, or having to pay emergency medical expenses, we always purchase insurance to cover the cruise and potential medical expenses. We pay for our travel insurance within 15 days of booking so that pre-existing conditions are covered. We also have a policy through Good Sam called Travel Assure which will get us home in case of medical issues. This policy is so worth it because it is one annual fee that covers all travel for the year. People often don't realize how expensive medical care can be when one has to pay full charges instead of just a copay. And emergency evacuation can be tens of thousands of dollars. Transportation of a body in case of death is also horrifically expensive.

 

It is simply not worth having to worry about. Spend a little more money and then relax knowing that if you get sick before or on the cruise it will be fine.

 

Linda

 

 

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[dna529]

Not too hard to justify the cost after my 7 year old fell down a flight of stairs on a cruise last year. Could have had serious injuries very easily that would have been covered by travel insurance. I'll never travel again without it.

 

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[garycarla]

Do not overlook the fact that part of the original post was talking about folks that just buy "trip insurance" - meaning just the cruise portion. There are all kinds of policies and most people do not know what is really covered.

 

If this question was only about medical issues, the answers and opinions would be different.

[fshagan]

We always buy medical insurance with a large evacuation coverage. In most cases adding the trip cancellation insurance to that coverage is about $12. It is the really cheap part of the policy.

 

What many people don't realize is that even if their medical insurance covers them in a foreign country, it will not provide coverage "on the high seas". That can be on a Pacific Coastal cruise (which we are taking next, and the total cost of our medical / trip insurance for both of us ... we're in our late 50's ... was $90). Get outside of territorial waters and you simply aren't covered by your insurance, even if you are between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

 

Insurance is a very profitable business, but is based on the idea that a bill that is devastating to me ... $50,000 medical evacuation flight, for instance ... is manageable if enough people join with other travelers and pay $45 for coverage "just in case". Chances are I will never use it, and some will consider it a waste of money, but buying peace of mind is an individual thing. And I'm glad when someone faces something devastating in life and at least the financial end of it is not an added burden. They have enough to worry about without having to cash in their retirement plan or sell their home.

 

Even uber-cheapskates like Clark Howard, who has figured out a way to use the same razor blade for more than a year, recommends trip insurance.

Edited July 23, 2014 by fshagan

[NMLady]

Not trying to be condescending here, but trip insurance is one of the worst value things one can purchase. It's pretty much throwing money away unless you have a high chance of using it.

 

I can only think of three scenarios where it makes sense to purchase trip insurance:

 

1) You are living on a tight budget, and the money you lose by not being able to go would be so financially devastating that you couldn't travel again for a long time.

 

2) You are old or in poor health, and there is a fair chance that something will change for the worse between now and your trip.

 

3) You have a family member who is old or in poor health, and there is a fair chance you will have to attend their funeral or final details, and have to cancel the trip.

 

Otherwise, it's a complete waste of money, yet I see many upper-middle class families waste their money on this garbage.

 

Someone please explain to me why they bother.

 

On one cruise a 16 year old was in a serious scooter accident, had to be hospitalized, then airlifted to states. Travel insurance paid for it.

 

That is the best reason for getting travel insurance. Medical. Since accidents can happen to anyone. You could fall down the stairs.

 

Third party insurance is better than cruise line insurance though.

[Duff Man]

Like any insurance, you hope you never need it. But if there is even one time you do . . .

 

I'm not sure why I am still surprised when short sighted, broad sweeping statements are made on the message boards.

 

I don't fall into any of the OP's 3 "reasons," but I obtain insurance anyway. Since the fare for our upcoming cruise is over $7,000 for the two of us, why wouldn't it make sense to spend a few hundred bucks in case something happens and we need to cancel? Throw in the additional medical and evac coverage with it, and it's clearly a no brainer. WE would be the fools NOT to insure.

 

Heck, I can easily lose the same amount it cost for the premium in 15 minutes at the craps table, and get nothing for that! :D

[fer10]

Some credit cards also give you some medical insurance such as amex, however insurance is great in the unlikely event you need it