Princess Travel Insurance

[John99]

Princess Travel Insurance

 

We need to purchase travel insurance for our European cruise in September 2015. Six day ago we made a deposit to hold the stateroom. We would like to cover pre-existing medical conditions. It's my understanding that Princess does not provide coverage for "pre-existing conditions". But states the following:

 

Pre-existing Condition means an illness, disease or other condition during 60 day period immediately prior to your effective date for which you:

 

1) received or received a recommendation for a diagnostic test, examination or medical treatment or

2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine.

 

Item 2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through taking prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 60 day period before the coverage is effective under the Policy.

 

Effective date -- means the date you purchase the policy.

 

I'm trying to get a better understanding on what is really means. The 60 day period seems like a "look back" provision. As long you have NO changes (during that time) in a medical condition you should be fine. What happens if your back, knee or heart causes trouble during the cruise in September 2015? Are your medical expenses covered?

 

If we purchase princess insurance say 10/1/2014. The effective date would be -- 10/1/2014. So Princess would look back 60 days >>> 8/1/2014 if we had to file a claim. Again, if we had no medical problems, diagnostic test or medical recommendation during that time -- we should be OK.

 

Would like to hear from cruiser (pros or cons) that used princess insurance.

Appreciate any comments.

 

JOHN

 

In the past, we have always purchase princess insurance with the final payment. Is that really a good idea?

[cherylandtk]

You understand it correctly. For most controlled conditions with a change in the condition while on the trip, they are covered for the change. The only iffy part is if it flares up while on the ship, it could be considered a pre-existing condition unless something specific happened while on the trip to cause the flare up. In other words, if your illness or condition is controlled by medication, it should continue to be controlled by that same medication while on the trip and thus not be a claim.

 

Sometimes figuring out what is new and what is pre-existing can be an ordeal if a claim has to be made.

 

Sometimes getting a third party policy with a PEC waiver instead of using the Princess insurance can be more cost effective, depending on age.

 

ETA- Forgot to answer the second part of your question. The best time to purchase can vary. If you have a PEC, purchase when you have a clean 60 day lookback. No Dr. visits, etc. The risk is if you cancel the trip before final, you are out the insurance cost. The upside is you are covered for any medical issues that arise after purchasing the insurance, they are not PEC.

Edited September 30, 2014 by cherylandtk