travel insurance

[cookla72]

Is it ok to use an independent travel insurance co., such as Travelex, for travel insurance or should I stick with the cruise lines offering?

[SueSea]

It is not only okay to get independent insurance, it is preferrable (IMO). Cruise line insurance almost always costs more for less coverage. Go to www.insuremytrip.com to get quotes from numerous independent agencies. That website lets you compare coverage by different insurers side by side. It'll also show you the different types of coverage offered by an insurer. Use this site to pick the best coverage for you, and then go to your finalists websites and pull up the fine print on their coverage. Compare that to the cruise line's coverage and it should be easy to choose.

[bigmike7]

Yo-

 

If you make your own travel arrangements - then strongly suggest getting your own insurance policy - and in this era of carriers going out of business over night - the common carrier default part of the insurance becomes increasingly important IMO-

 

The poster above has suggested http://www.insuremytrip.com

This is an outstanding resourse not only to compare prices but also coverages - and it is very responsible to take your time and read everything very carefully-

 

If you are traveling out of the country then the medical evacuation coverages become very important - I don't think that any American would want to spend very much time in a Mexican hospital as an example (and I am sure that they have many fine hospitals - so don't flame me for that one)

 

Also be sure to get the insurance as soon as possible after booking - within the first seven days - and make sure that you include the airfare and hotel and any prepaid ground transportation in your overall coverage-

 

Happy Cruisin'

 

Mike

[bethwendy]

squaremouth.com is a website that specializes in comparing all the major travel insurance plans. The site has unique research capabilities as well as provides instant quotes, coverage and immediate purchase confirmation

[CaribbeanBound]

This is a very good question, which is asked at least weekly.

 

I've answered it in detail so often, I felt it best to just set up a page on my web site.

 

Here are 14 IMPORTANT tips to consider when purchasing travel insurance:

*****

[celbercrz333]

Just make sure you know what your insurance covers. Our very first cruise and we brought our golf clubs in the new travel cover I gave my husband for Christmas. We took a bus to NYC to go to Bermuda. It was an added transfer from Celebrity. We bought travel insurance and somewhere between bringing the clubs off the bus and loading them onto the ship, it got torn. Well we thought they might reimburse us. We did fill out forms once on board and they did "fix" it with a patch on the inside, but that was it. We got home and read up on our insurance and it had a $250 deductible. The bag wasn't worth that much. It was sad because it was our first cruise for our anniversary and to Bermuda. You would think they could have been a little more careful with the bag. It's still usable and it's been on a second cruise, this time Carnival and we did not buy insurance. Another unrelated story that is worth mentioning. My mom gave us a brand new Samsonite luggage bag on wheels and you should have seen what it looked like coming off the flight. It has a big white streak on the side. Those in the travel industry who load and unload don't care about what they load it seems.

[Cam6959]

Why should we get insurance 7 days after booking?

[bigmike7]

Yo-

 

So that you get the "pre-existing conditions" coverage that is SO important to many of us and our fellow travelers-

 

Mike

[hkolln]

I use travelex insurance everytime I cruise but with our current cruise I got access america with the TA cause it was the same price. Not sure why but it was. Normally independent companies are cheaper.

 

I check both way though and go from there.

[Cam6959]

Thanks for the answers. Darn it there goes my pre existing condition clause then. Will have to stay healthy for the cruise!

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the answers. Darn it there goes my pre existing condition clause then. Will have to stay healthy for the cruise!

 

It depends on the insurance company. With Travelex, you have 21 days from the date of deposit to purchase the insurance in order to have pre-existing conditions covered. Even if YOU don't have any pre-existing conditions, a close family member who isn't going on the cruise might - and their poor health could cause you to have to cancel your cruise after it's too late to get your money back.

[ColleenN]

I purchased Travelex Ins within 21 days of putting down the deposit on my cruise, but more than 21 days from when I purchased my airfare. Does anyone know if I will still be covered for pre-existing conditions? Thanks!

[CaribbeanBound]

I'd say "probably not", but who am I?

Just pick up the phone and call Travelex. They answer pretty quick and will give you a definitive answer. Please post here when you get it.

[jaw62901]

Cruise insurance through the line itself is more expensive then buying it on it's own. For my Jan 06 cruise NCL wanted $129 for a less covering policy then what Travel Guard offered for $67.

[jaw62901]

ColleenN,

 

I would have to say no. Most of the policies state that to be covered for financial defult, terrorism, pre-existing conditions, ect it most be bought within 10-15 days of the deposit or payment.

 

All insurance companies aren't the same, so I would check with your directly to see what they say.

[jaw62901]

Sorry doubt post.

[cruzincurt]

Also note that Travelex is primary, they pay first. Most others are secondary and only pay after all other insurances.

[jaw62901]

cruzincurt,

 

I just checked my travel guard one and even called them after I bought it and was told that in the unlikly chance that I need to file a claim, all claims would be done directly through them and that they would file everything.

[cruzincurt]

I went to insuremytrip and it now appears that Travelguard is now primary medical the same as Travelex. Another company such as CSA is secondary for medical. If you pick some to compare, there is a color chart that highlights what is primary and secondary of each policy.

[jerseygirl3]

Colleen, as long as you factored the cost of your airline tickets into your overall trip cost, it doesn't matter when you purchase your plane tickets. As long as you purchased the insurance within 21 days of making your initial cruise deposit, any pre-existing conditions will be covered. We plan our cruises well in advance (12-18 months) and airline fares are not available at that time. I just factor in the estimated cost of the airfare and purchase my insurance. As long as your trip cost stays within the amount you originally purchased it for, you're fine. Even if you have to alter it (we changed our plans for next February, and instead of spending a week at my parents house after our cruise, we added a second cruise to our booking), you just call the insurance company and your amended charges will be covered for pre-existing conditions as well. Travelex simply amended my policy and send me an updated copy of my policy.

[suncitycruisers]

We are new to cruising, so we certainly do not have any expertise on the subject. But the friends that got us started cruising have been on more than fifty cruises. They have never bought cruise insurance. We are leaving next week on our first solo cruise and we declined the insurance. Hope we did the right thing.

[MonDreamr1]

Another good place to check is your school's Alumni benefits. Mine offers all sorts of discounts on random things. The travel insurance usually costs about half through the alumni network compared to the cruise line.

 

They have many schools listed. http://www.alumniabroad.com/

[leenie29]

Another good source is if anyone has USAA insurance. Their trip insurance was more comprehensive than the other companies and much cheaper.

 

Eileen

[cruzincurt]

Quote: "But the friends that got us started cruising have been on more than fifty cruises. They have never bought cruise insurance."

 

I've driven my car to work thousands of times, but just in case.....

 

Insurance is a gamble, hope that you don't ever need it. One medical problem or evacuation will even the score.

[starketcher]

how do you find out what the insurance co. is rated?