Please help! Travel insurance info needed asap

[Hailey22]

very first time asking a question. I apologize for asking something that I'm sure has been answered in other threads but I have a little time to make a decision.Two days ago, our family of six decided to travel from the US to South Hampton for a cruise to Norway on the Queen Elizabeth. My 86 year old dad received some very discouraging medical information that makes it urgent that he does the last thing on his bucket list and Norway is it. (Wisconsin dells would have been easier :) )

We need travel insurance that covers the flight and cruise for 2 elderly parents and four children in their sixties. (Approximately $20,000 ) We need to have cancelation coverage in case we can't go but interruption insurance in the event of a problem while on the cruise. Medical coverage as well as evacuation coverage for all six of us is important. I also read something about pre existing conditions not being covered and my dad has lived with heart disease for over 20 years.

We have been offered insurance from the cruise line for $800. My question is whether that sounds like a reasonable cost and whether we should go through the cruise line or someplace else.

We have to make payment today and then have only 24 hours to purchase the cruise lines insurance. I'm panicked . Any info would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime, I'll start reading threads.

Thanks

[Babr]

Since time is of the essence, it is probably best to call insuremytrip.com or theinsurancestore.com and explain your circumstances to a knowledgable agent. A professional can guide you to the best policy for your situation.

 

If $800 is the total cost of the cruise line insurance for all travellers, I'd be concerned if it offers adequate coverage. That seems like a very low cost so it is important to know what the limits of coverage are and if it is enough. It wil not cover air unless you booked air as a package with the cruise.

 

Pre-existing conditions will be covered if you buy the insurance within the prescribed time limit - usually 14 to 21 days after first deposit on the cruise. Your parents' age could be a problem as some companies charge higher rates or limit coverage for older travellers. If your father is able to travel on the day the insurance is purchased and his condition has been stable, I think he will be covered.

 

But - that is why it is best to talk to someone who really knows. I'm just trying to offer encouragement, suggest points that need addressing, and point you in the right direction.

[notjaded]

Be aware about the limits of pre-existing condition clauses. One must be medically able to travel at the time of purchase. So, in the event the insurance had to be used, your dad's doctor would probably have to show evidence that he was medically OK to travel at the time of purchase.

 

Read each policy very carefully.

 

I use Allianz.

 

Good luck!

[keyboard_extreme]

We were offered trip insurance through the travel agency that is hosting the cruise (it's a gospel cruise, so the entire ship is reserved), but it seemed quite expensive, and only covered the cruise. By going through InsureMyTrip, I was able to find a policy that would cover the entire trip (we have flight tickets and hotel rooms booked, as well), and the cost was a little more than half what the insurance through the travel agent would have been. Hope you're able to find something that works for you. :)

[cherylandtk]

When is your final payment due for this trip? I suggest you call the Trip Insurance Store; your policies will start at 10%-12% of the total trip cost due to the age of the travelers. (That is why many older people like the cruiseline policies) BUT the cruiseline policy usually has a PEC exclusion, and it sound like that applies to your Dad, especially if the recent news is medically related. In that case you NEED a waiver of the PEC, which can only be found in a third party policy. Also be aware that to have the waiver, you must purchase within 14 or 21 days of your trip deposit (or before final payment with one brand) AND insure all non refundable trip costs.

 

Almost every policy out there insures for interruption and cancellation due to covered medical events; the trick is getting your specific medical concern covered and not listed as PEC.

[GeezerCouple]

Sorry this is a bit late, but it is NOT "too late" to get third party insurance, which is what we'd strongly urge.

 

Do call the TripInsuranceStore.com folks, and ask for Steve (though his other agents can help too).

Don't just read the online summaries of different policies. There is lots of "fine print" that can't possibly be covered there.

 

We'd suggest getting something like TravelInsured, which we've used, and also had a large claim the very first time, and it was paid in full, without nonsense.

 

After that (DH had a medical emergency less than 2 weeks before a major trip), we had to wait a few months until he was again "fit to travel", before we could plan more trips AND get insurance that would also waive the pre-existing condition exclusion.

 

The moment his physician "cleared" DH for travel again, we got the physician to give us a signed letter (full letterhead, etc.) verifying this at the time, so there'd be no question of "who remembered what" at that time, etc.

 

And the next day, we made several more trip plans, and got the minimum insurance. (We didn't even wait the 21 days, just in case DH somehow got sick again; fortunately, he didn't.)

 

We've been on several trips since then, and have lots more planned (cruises and air/land trips).

 

If you haven't already found insurance, then DO call Steve, AND get a letter from your father's physician that he is currently "fit to travel", and then get the insurance (with the waiver!) right away, with at least the initial payment.

 

And we hope you ALL have a great trip.

 

GeezerCouple

[smoothsailors]

Please DON'T take the cruiseline insurance but DO take out coverage within 14-15 days of your initial deposit to make sure that you are covered for any pre-existing conditions.

 

We use TravelGuard and take their Gold Policy with the Emergency Evacuation upgrade...this assures being able to be evacuated to facility of your choice as opposed to closest qualified facility. (This is an important distinction so that you don't get stuck in a facility far from home.)

 

Yes this coverage will be expensive for your father as premiums are calculated on age and trip cost...but helicopter evacuation or, forbid, repatriation expenses what you need to protect against as they are very costly.

 

Cruiseline insurance will not help if you have a medical emergency mid-trip, especially one that necessitates being taken off board.

 

Follow the good advice on this thread and get third-party quotes from a reliable source NOW. FYI: you don't need to have a written letter from your father's physician in order to purchase the insurance...should you need to process a claim, however, you will need a physician to sign the medical form that (on the day you deposited the trip) your father was able to travel ON THAT DAY. So, if you have a good relationship with his physician, ask him that question and make sure that he'd be willing to sign the claim form if need be.

 

Good luck and hope you enjoy a wonderful trip!

[ghstudio]

Be aware about the limits of pre-existing condition clauses. One must be medically able to travel at the time of purchase. So, in the event the insurance had to be used, your dad's doctor would probably have to show evidence that he was medically OK to travel at the time of purchase.

 

Read each policy very carefully.

 

I use Allianz.

 

Good luck!

 

I'm sure this is too late for the OP....but the pre-existing condition waver does not cover a situation where someone has x-months to live due to a diagnosed condition,,,or has a reasonable expectation of not surviving the trip. No insurance company will take that risk....and it has nothing at all to do with being able to travel on the day you buy the insurance.

 

Make sure you are very clear on your dad's condition and the recent changes. Irrespective of what you decided to purchase, should your father require evacation or worse during the cruise, I doubt that your insurance company will pay your claim.

[GeezerCouple]

I'm sure this is too late for the OP....but the pre-existing condition waver does not cover a situation where someone has x-months to live due to a diagnosed condition,,,or has a reasonable expectation of not surviving the trip. No insurance company will take that risk....and it has nothing at all to do with being able to travel on the day you buy the insurance.

 

Make sure you are very clear on your dad's condition and the recent changes. Irrespective of what you decided to purchase, should your father require evacation or worse during the cruise, I doubt that your insurance company will pay your claim.

 

I would strongly suggest that one ask Steve at TripInsuranceStore.com about this "has x-months to live" situation.

 

Some people have been fortunate to live several years longer than "expected"; others have failed remarkably and unfortunately quickly.

 

Those "expectations" are not hard, known numbers.

 

My late best friend managed to rebound from "terminal" cancer (death expected reasonably soon), to have a few more *good* years, and took some of her children and grandchildren for one last grand trip to Europe.

And she had a bit more time after that.

We planned a special "pre-farewell" week in London, and ... poof... she was gone. We never got there.

 

She "fooled" the medical specialists both times.

 

RM