Travel insurance

[Pippawhipper1]

Hi 

If you have travel insurance please make sure it cover cruising as a lot don't now you have to pay extra please don't get caught out check before you go.

[sparks1093]

It's always wise to fully read and understand any policy's coverage limitations.

[jlp20]

Insurance is a little different from a straight travel policy

1. Medical coverage outside the U.S. boundaries
2. Evacuation costs from ship at sea.
3. If put off the ship for any reason, travel costs home.
4. Delays to the port due to weather or mechanical issues are rarely covered under standard policies, consider cancel for  any reason policy.

[sparks1093]

3 hours ago, jlp20 said:

Insurance is a little different from a straight travel policy

1. Medical coverage outside the U.S. boundaries
2. Evacuation costs from ship at sea.
3. If put off the ship for any reason, travel costs home.
4. Delays to the port due to weather or mechanical issues are rarely covered under standard policies, consider cancel for  any reason policy.

There usually aren't any costs associated with being evacuated from the ship at sea, at least not if that's done by the US Coast Guard. Travel insurance (good travel insurance anyway) does pay for medical evacuation coverage from one country to another and a routine medevac can cost $25k. I think most policies would exclude coverage if a passenger were put off of a ship due to their own misconduct, whereas they would provide coverage if a passenger were to be put off of a ship because of a medical reason. Delays to the port may or may not be covered depending on the language in the policy. A delay caused by a mechanical issue to your car is likely not covered, a delay caused because of a mechanical issue to an airplane is more likely covered. Cancel for any reason policies typically have a time range before the trip where it must be cancelled, the policies I've read required cancellation for any reason to occur 48 hours before the trip starts. Again, reading the policy completely and understanding it is key (especially when using a site like www.insuremytrip.com where you can see many policies for the same trip and each will be slightly different from each other).

[SRF]

A "routine" ed evac will probably START at $25K.

 

My Mother had to be med evaced from Halifax to DC, and it was $29,000.

[Philob]

Many medical service providers outside of the US and on board the cruise ship will want to get paid at time of service.  You can even have "primary" insurance, but the provider will want to get paid before you leave.  So be sure you get a copy of your medical file before you pay them or leave.  U'll need it to make your insurance claim. 

[sparks1093]

3 hours ago, Philob said:

Many medical service providers outside of the US and on board the cruise ship will want to get paid at time of service.  You can even have "primary" insurance, but the provider will want to get paid before you leave.  So be sure you get a copy of your medical file before you pay them or leave.  U'll need it to make your insurance claim. 

That does bring up a good point- some carriers will promise the care provider payment in order to facilitate treatment in those cases where payment is due up front (which as I understand it is usually in these cases). Again the policies will spell this out and it might be well worth searching for a policy that will do this.

[Underwatr]

In St. Lucia the hospital ER didn't care about my insurance, only my credit card.

[sparks1093]

11 hours ago, Underwatr said:

In St. Lucia the hospital ER didn't care about my insurance, only my credit card.

One can't cover every eventuality through insurance then I guess.

[SRF]

No, you cannot count on it.

 

My Blue Cross card was accepted as payment in full for an ER visit in Sicily.  I was REALLY surprised.

 

But it would be a good idea to have a fairly high limit card along.  And you do have the ability to call the card company for an emergency increase in your limit.