Cancellation Insurance.

[crash3x]

I was wondering if anyone has had to cancel a trip last minute and had to use the insurance? Did you receive all or most of your money back? How many hoops did you have to jump through? I ask because I have a immediate family member who is stage 4 cancer undetermined amount of time left. And my cruise is 39 days out.

 

 

Forums

[az_tchr]

There are different companies so your experience in Canada could certainly be different from in the US, but I would think no problem. Would be contacting Celebrity or my TA now and also reading up on the policy details.

[Safety Squirrel]

I was wondering if anyone has had to cancel a trip last minute and had to use the insurance? Did you receive all or most of your money back? How many hoops did you have to jump through? I ask because I have a immediate family member who is stage 4 cancer undetermined amount of time left. And my cruise is 39 days out.

 

 

Forums

 

I had to cancel a trip within 60 days of my cruise in 2013 due a brain tumour being diagnosed. I had purchased insurance through my TA (also in Canada). I did get all my money refunded for the cruise and air fare. There was lots of paper work required from various doctors etc. and it took time as the insurance company had to verify all reports, including the date when I had purchased the insurance. This was for myself though

 

Oldest DS & DIL were scheduled for a vacation during the time of my surgery (two weeks after the diagnosis) and they also had to provide reports from the various doctors etc.; and their money was refunded.

 

If you used a TA and purchased insurance from the TA -- they should be able to provide you with the necessary information. My TA contacted the insurance company for both me and DS & DIL and had the required papers sent to us for completion.

 

If you did not use a TA, you will probably have to contact the insurance company direct to find out the process.

 

My thoughts are certainly with you and your family at this time

[ghstudio]

I suggest you contact the insurance company before you buy the policy.....you see, many if not most insurance companies will not cover you for something that is expected when you purchase the policy. Give them the information and ask if it will be covered.

 

This also applies to your travel insurance (probably the same as the cancellation insurance)....should your immediate family member passes away while on the cruise, it may not be covered. Again, call and find out before you purchase the policy.

Edited January 31, 2015 by ghstudio

[Safety Squirrel]

I suggest you contact the insurance company before you buy the policy.....you see, many if not most insurance companies will not cover you for something that is expected when you purchase the policy. Give them the information and ask if it will be covered.

 

This also applies to your travel insurance (probably the same as the cancellation insurance)....should your immediate family member passes away while on the cruise, it may not be covered. Again, call and find out before you purchase the policy.

 

I agree with this -- make sure you know before you buy what insurance covers. In my case -- the brain tumour was only diagnosed in emergency department 60 days before my cruise -- that is why the insurance companies checked when I had bought my insurance (I had bought it several months before the diagnosis).

 

When my DS's & DIL's took me to emergency -- I said to the doctor -- I have a cruise in 60 days and I intend to be on that cruise. Little did I know what they would diagnose.

[jb008]

First, sorry to hear about the situation!

 

If you haven't already purchased the insurance, check what their policy is for death vs. hospitalization. The pre-existing condition waiver is normally focused at canceling for medical and may not extend to death of family member.

 

We had to file for a policy after my wife's grandmother died 3 days before departure on a cruise in April '13. They never asked for documentation on when she was hospitalized/pre-existing conditions. In fact, she was hospitalized for a fall just a few days before our final payment - her cause of death was not explicitly related to that - though they never inquired.

 

I think I called the insurance Co first and they directed me to call the TA. I called my TA and he processed the cancellation (which included a small refund of some of the taxes and fees) and provided a final invoice of what we were out. I then got an email from the insurance co with instructions on what was needed to file the claim. We had to provide receipts, proof of payment (copy of the online CC statement for deposit and final cancellation invoice from TA was sufficient), sign a statement that we would not use the airfare value*, fill out some forms, and provide a copy of something documenting the family member's passing (e.g., copy of death certificate, obituary, list varies and is provided by insurance Co. - we submitted everything electronically, and provided a pdf of the obit. from the funeral home website and a scan of the church bulletin from the service). In our specific case, everything was submitted electronically. The family also noted in the obituary (which may have helped?) that she was survived by... and they listed her grandkids by current name, including a parenthetical note of spouses, where applicable) - some similar documentation of the family connection in the obit probably helps expedite any due diligence they may do in cases where family names are different. I think total time from filing the claim to getting a check was ~8 weeks?

 

*Note that most airlines will allow you to convert a flight to credit good for a year in the case of hospitalization or death of an immediate family member - they do not require much documentation... my experience has been they needed the name of the person, the hospital/facility they are being cared at, the facility phone # and address.

[Mikeandme]

I was wondering if anyone has had to cancel a trip last minute and had to use the insurance? Did you receive all or most of your money back? How many hoops did you have to jump through? I ask because I have a immediate family member who is stage 4 cancer undetermined amount of time left. And my cruise is 39 days out.

 

 

Forums

My experience was on Princess; but I used the cruise line insurance, which is the same as the Celebrity insurance. I began feeling ill the day before the cruise but was optimistic and packed that night. I arose at 2:00 a.m. feeling worse and decided to go to the ER. They diagnosed me with pancreatitis, and I left there and went to my internist later that morning. He recommended that I not take the cruise, I would not be able to eat much of anything, and a situation might arise requiring more medical care while on board. I then made the decision to cancel the cruise, after which I called the cruise line insurance company to file a claim. I filled out the form that was sent to me, asked the doctor to fill out his portion, and submitted it. The insurance company sent me 100% of the cruise fare, including port charges and taxes, that I paid. The only money not refunded was the insurance premium. My husband's fare was also refunded 100%, including port charges and taxes. The whole process was surprisingly quick, and my settlement was received within a few weeks.

[cruisestitch]

There are dozens of policies on different carriers so there can't be a general answer that will apply in all situations, other than "consult the details of the policy you purchased".

[If only]

I was in the same position as you & we originally cancelled our cruise, we were told by the insurance company that if someone has been advised that they are terminal & you knew it there is No coverage. Each case is dealt individually so best to check with your insurer.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited January 31, 2015 by If only

[Caribbean Chris]

We cancelled once less than a week before sailing (and got 100% of what we paid reimbursed within a few weeks, including the cost of the policy), due to my mother-in-law's serious condition. She did in fact die the day after we arrived at the hospital, and the paperwork was quite minimal.

 

This was through TravelGuard, if we are allowed to name names, purchased at a very fair price through our agency, not the cruiseline. The agency took care of notifying the insurer and starting the claim process. We were so pleased by the efficiency and higher coverages, we now buy it for every cruise.

[4774Papa]

I was wondering if anyone has had to cancel a trip last minute and had to use the insurance? Did you receive all or most of your money back? How many hoops did you have to jump through? I ask because I have a immediate family member who is stage 4 cancer undetermined amount of time left. And my cruise is 39 days out.

 

 

Forums

I had to cancel a Celebrity cruise about four years ago, due to my Mom's illness and death. The Celebrity insurance paid in full for the cancellation. It took about 45-60 days.

[ghstudio]

Do not rely on war stories posted here......talk directly to the insurance company or an insurance specialist. That means NOT your cruise line, travel agent or friend or, as I said, not any of us.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited January 31, 2015 by ghstudio

[crash3x]

I have AIG insurance. We are planning to keep our cruise unless my DH mom passes, so it would be very last minute if that happens. Stressful time, need something to look forward to....DH feels like time is slowing just wait for what we know will be a sad event. I thank all of you for your information.

 

 

Forums