Would you buy travel insurance for a world cruise?

[SusieQft]

On 10/30/2019 at 1:57 PM, HotRoot said:

As for trip cancellation/interruption - We never buy it.  We travel a lot.

 

On 10/30/2019 at 1:57 PM, HotRoot said:

We did paid for all of our travels by selling insurance for 40 plus years..

 

HotRoot, are you saying your career was in selling insurance for 40 years, and now you never buy it?  Am I understanding you correctly?   Do you know something really horrible about the insurance industry that the rest of us don't?

 

On 10/30/2019 at 1:57 PM, HotRoot said:

Had we not been able to go, we would have sold the trip or given it away.  You can make name changes (I believe there is a fee)

 

Have you actually done this, or know of someone who has?  The Regent Terms and Conditions I got with my booking say "Reservation Changes: Regent Seven Seas Cruises does not allow name changes after deposit has been received.  A new reservation will be made and will be subject to the new terms and conditions that are applicable at the time of booking.  The existing reservation will be cancelled and will be assessed the applicable cancellation fees."  That sounds like none of the payment for your booking can be transferred to someone else.

[Keith1010]

I've tried to read through all of this.

 

When it comes to buying insurance like most things there is not one size that fits all.

 

Let's start with just the cancellation (non medical bill reimbursement) of the cruise.  The cancellation can be due to health issues but again we are talking about the cruise fare and not the medical expenses.

 

So whether or not people buy travel insurance is nice to know but shouldn't be used for you to decide what to do.

 

It all comes down to the cost of the insurance and how much risk you are willing to take by not having it.

 

In other words lets say it costs $10,000.00 but your cruise costs $50,000.00.  Should you not use it you have spent $10,000 with no benefit.  If you have to cancel the cruise when 100% cancellation penalties kick in the $10,000 cost provides you with net savings of $40,000.00.  The question here is whether or not you want to take the risk should you cancel when all or a significant portion of the penalty has canceled.  The answer will vary by circumstance and by person.

 

Also remember to look clearly at the policy.  For many policies if you have a pre-existing medical condition you will have had to book the insurance within two to three weeks of making the initial deposit.

 

Most travel insurance plans automatically reimburse you for all or some medical expenses so I would not waste anytime trying to find a policy that excludes medical reimbursement even if you have your own medical insurance.  They rarely exist and even if they did they represent just a small portion of the premium cost.

 

Now onto medical.  You said your have verified that your health insurance covers you for medical expenses.  Just be sure you have read this and not just relied on someone telling you this on the telephone.  This is for you to answer but does it cover you for 100% of the medical expenses.  If not the benefit of the travel insurance would be that between the two plans it "might" cover all of your medical expenses.  Also, very important does your plan cover you for medical evacuation from the ship or needing to be medically evacuated on land to another location?  If not that is something that the medical portion of travel insurance plans normally covers. When I say covers it covers a certain amount as is the case for medical expenses. The key is up to a certain amount.

 

Finally something to consider is medical evacuation insurance whether or not you end up getting travel insurance.  Some medical evacuation plans provide more benefits including allowing you to have input as to where you will be evacuated to.  Let's say something happens and you are in a third world country and taken off the ship.  With Medical Evacuation insurance often it will allow and cover the expense for you to be transported somewhere.  Fortunately we have never used it but we have obtained MetJet Assist.  If you have AARP you get a 15% discount on the plan which is one of the few discounts I have ever used AARP for but the savings are far greater than the AARP annual membership so a no brainer.  The web site is:

 

http://medjetassist.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyfGq5dLN5QIVS5yzCh2figYXEAAYASAAEgJASfD_BwE

 

In the end one size does not fit all.  In fact, for the same person one size does not fit all.  In my case we make adjustments on approach based on the length of the cruise, where we are sailing and the insurance available at the time we make our decision.  In fact, my experience is plans change often so we have moved to different companies over the years either because our circumstances have changed or because plans have changed.

 

Finally, the devil is in the details so be sure to study plans and understand the details so you make an informed choice.

 

Keith

 

 

[HotRoot]

3 hours ago, SusieQft said:

 

 

HotRoot, are you saying your career was in selling insurance for 40 years, and now you never buy it?  Am I understanding you correctly?   Do you know something really horrible about the insurance industry that the rest of us don't?

 

 

Have you actually done this, or know of someone who has?  The Regent Terms and Conditions I got with my booking say "Reservation Changes: Regent Seven Seas Cruises does not allow name changes after deposit has been received.  A new reservation will be made and will be subject to the new terms and conditions that are applicable at the time of booking.  The existing reservation will be cancelled and will be assessed the applicable cancellation fees."  That sounds like none of the payment for your booking can be transferred to someone else.

 

You understood correctly.  Our career was in selling insurance.  We know nothing terrible about the industry.  Our personal feeling was if you cannot afford to lose the cost of the trip, you probably should not be taking the trip.  Once you take the trip, that money is gone anyway.  This refers to cancellation insurance.  We do buy international medical insurance and medevac.  

 

And, yes, I do know someone who was able to do a name change on a reservation for a fee less than a full cancellation and rebook.  I believe cruise lines, tour operators, etc. will work with you if you have a valid reason to cancel other than you just decided not to go.

 

To clarify - Facts - We made our living selling insurance and we do know somebody who did a name change on a World Cruise.  Opinion - Don't go if you can't afford to lose the money and tour companies will work with you.

 

Don't make any decisions based on my opinion.

[fudgbug]

On 10/30/2019 at 3:26 PM, kjbacon said:

We have never purchased travel insurance before but we’ve just recently booked the 2022 world cruise and aren’t feeling sure. While the cost is very high, we realize that we have a lot to lose and that a lot can happen in 4 months. Would you or wouldn’t you purchase the insurance?

I would definitely purchase trip/travel insurance as one never knows what is around the next corner.  We have personal experience of not having trip/travel insurance.  We didn't have insurance and had to cancel due to an unexpected surgery for hubby.  We were lucky that Tauck gave us a credit for that trip to be used in one year.  On the same trip, we were going to return on the Queen Mary and they didn't give us a credit or anything.  Lesson learned and we have purchased trip/travel insurance ever since.  We did have another later trip, had trip/travel insurance and needed to use it for an unexpected surgery for me.

Edited November 4, 2019 by fudgbug
Better explanation.

[irishwitchy]

Not quite two years ago,  hubby and I did a cruise from Miami to Lima and another five days in Lima.  We had insurance for everything, just in case.   We didn’t need it, happy to say.   However,  the last day in Lima,  I suddenly felt terrible and had to cancel a great dinner and lay down on the couch at the JW  Marriott until we went to the airport for a late flight home.   Thankfully,  we had nice lay flat seats!   The next day,  I felt better - which didn’t last.  Four days later,  I was in major back pain and no one knew why.   Long story short,  I had a blood infection, that ate up a disk in my back and than I had a spinal fusion.    I was very lucky that I got home when I did,  but we will always purchase the insurance for everything because prior to this trip,  I took no medications or had any other conditions.   Happy to say, I still don’t,  but I don’t want to be in a third world country if something like this should happen again.  

[Wendy The Wanderer]

10 minutes ago, irishwitchy said:

Not quite two years ago,  hubby and I did a cruise from Miami to Lima and another five days in Lima.  We had insurance for everything, just in case.   We didn’t need it, happy to say.   However,  the last day in Lima,  I suddenly felt terrible and had to cancel a great dinner and lay down on the couch at the JW  Marriott until we went to the airport for a late flight home.   Thankfully,  we had nice lay flat seats!   The next day,  I felt better - which didn’t last.  Four days later,  I was in major back pain and no one knew why.   Long story short,  I had a blood infection, that ate up a disk in my back and than I had a spinal fusion.    I was very lucky that I got home when I did,  but we will always purchase the insurance for everything because prior to this trip,  I took no medications or had any other conditions.   Happy to say, I still don’t,  but I don’t want to be in a third world country if something like this should happen again.  

 

Wow, that must have been really scary.  We must have been on the same cruise (Mariner, January 2017)?  We also spent time in Lima, and then went on to Ecuador.  But I was really worried for a while in Lima because of the very hot, humid weather and had to seek out a pharmacy for my husband at one point.  I was less worried once we got to Ecuador since it has an excellent medical system and we were with friends who knew "the ropes".  But still, not something you want to contemplate--glad you got home safe.

 

Hope you have recovered fully, or as fully as you can from a spinal fusion.  Too bad.

[irishwitchy]

All was perfectly fine after six weeks of antibiotics and the back has been great, no pain at all  -  thanks for asking.   We were on the Mariner, Jan 2018.  

[fudgbug]

1 hour ago, irishwitchy said:

All was perfectly fine after six weeks of antibiotics and the back has been great, no pain at all  -  thanks for asking.   We were on the Mariner, Jan 2018.  

Glad that all turned out well.  We like the Mariner.

[RachelG]

I am in the no travel insurance camp.  Our medical insurance covers emergency care anywhere in the world,  (and yes, i have that in writing), and we have medical evacuation covered through our credit card.  We have traveled so much and have never cancelled.  We have saved the amount of the policy premiums many times over.  

[Caroldoll]

6 hours ago, RachelG said:

I am in the no travel insurance camp.  Our medical insurance covers emergency care anywhere in the world,  (and yes, i have that in writing), and we have medical evacuation covered through our credit card.  We have traveled so much and have never cancelled.  We have saved the amount of the policy premiums many times over.  

I have never insured as we use Chase and I have taken the gamble.  However, now I am no teenager, and I am insuring.  I just had to cut out one cruise a year and that covered it.  Sad but true.

[rcandkc]

Trouble with emergency coverage is definition.  Years ago here in Texas,  I had a sudden hip situation where I was in extreme pain and could very, very barely walk.  I went to dr and exam didn’t find anything. I had not fallen.  It got worse...I called orthopedic practice I had been to years earlier.  I could get appt in 2 weeks.  I was to point I could hardly move. I figured I must have broken my hip when jumping away from wasp at lake and didn’t know it.  I went to ER and xrays showed no broken hip.  I didn’t know that obviously when I went to ER.  Insurance declined claim.  Ends up I had a torn labrum.   So...I worry about what insurance companies will decide is emergency treatment.  I’m not a dr, I’m in extreme pain, and can’t put weight on right leg and orthopedic drs say they cant see me until 2 weeks....

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I'm unclear why they denied you, and for what?

[rcandkc]

1 hour ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I'm unclear why they denied you, and for what?

Because they xrayed hip and did not find anything wrong. No broken bones. Told me I didn’t need to go to ER.  I hate insurance companies. 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

1 hour ago, rcandkc said:

Because they xrayed hip and did not find anything wrong. No broken bones. Told me I didn’t need to go to ER.  I hate insurance companies. 

 

Me too, what a bummer.

[fudgbug]

On 11/17/2019 at 3:15 PM, RachelG said:

I am in the no travel insurance camp.  Our medical insurance covers emergency care anywhere in the world,  (and yes, i have that in writing), and we have medical evacuation covered through our credit card.  We have traveled so much and have never cancelled.  We have saved the amount of the policy premiums many times over.  

We traveled for 35 years with no insurance.  In 2016 with one week to go to departure, I had emergency surgery.  Our land tour company gave us a credit to be used in one year.  The Queen Mary gave us "diddly squat".

[fudgbug]

18 hours ago, Caroldoll said:

I have never insured as we use Chase and I have taken the gamble.  However, now I am no teenager, and I am insuring.  I just had to cut out one cruise a year and that covered it.  Sad but true.

We're using Chase now too and Capital One.

[SusieQft]

13 hours ago, rcandkc said:

Because they xrayed hip and did not find anything wrong. No broken bones. Told me I didn’t need to go to ER.  I hate insurance companies. 

Did you submit an appeal and get them to cover it once you were diagnosed with a real problem?  

[papaflamingo]

16 hours ago, fudgbug said:

We traveled for 35 years with no insurance.  In 2016 with one week to go to departure, I had emergency surgery.  Our land tour company gave us a credit to be used in one year.  The Queen Mary gave us "diddly squat".

Not to be argumentative, but I assume you mean Cunard gave you "diddly squat" and you were sailing on the Queen Mary?  If that's the case, since you chose not to take out insurance, exactly what did you expect the cruise line to give you?  They are VERY clear about their rules, that's actually EXACTLY why many of us choose to buy insurance.  You choose not to buy insurance and "roll the dice."  One time you lost and it sounds like you think that you are being treated unfairly. Just askin'

[rcandkc]

9 hours ago, SusieQft said:

Did you submit an appeal and get them to cover it once you were diagnosed with a real problem?  

Yes.  They paid the cost of subsequent mri and orthopedic dr but refused ER claim. They still said it was not a true ER emergency and I went there during regular business hours.  So, I’m very wary of what will be deemed “emergency “. 

[fudgbug]

1 hour ago, papaflamingo said:

Not to be argumentative, but I assume you mean Cunard gave you "diddly squat" and you were sailing on the Queen Mary?  If that's the case, since you chose not to take out insurance, exactly what did you expect the cruise line to give you?  They are VERY clear about their rules, that's actually EXACTLY why many of us choose to buy insurance.  You choose not to buy insurance and "roll the dice."  One time you lost and it sounds like you think that you are being treated unfairly. Just askin'

You aren't being argumentative.  You are correct and we weren't treated unfairly.  The point that I was trying to make was that it was a lesson to buy insurance.  We knew exactly the chances that we had taken over a period of 35 years.

[wcsdkqh]

Over the course of 35 years, I suspect you came out on the plus side (by a wide margin) of not purchasing insurance. Having said that, as we age with an increase of possible health issues, insurance is more of a requirement.

[fudgbug]

Just now, wcsdkqh said:

Over the course of 35 years, I suspect you came out on the plus side (by a wide margin) of not purchasing insurance. Having said that, as we age with an increase of possible health issues, insurance is more of a requirement.

Yes, we did come out on the plus side by a wide margin.  We have been on over 70 cruises and at least 35 land tours.  We have been most fortunate in our lives and are very thankful.

[Ladys Mom]

Years ago when we started cruising we did not get trip insurance.  We were healthy and we had comprehensive medical insurance.  It was only when our parents started truly aging and passing away and we started having grandchildren that we made a point to have trip insurance.  It may seem unnecessary to some, but if one of my close family members gets very ill or passes away, I want to be able to get home quickly without losing the cost of the remainder of the trip or the uncharge in airfare. This is in addition to the fact that my DH and I are not getting any younger and things can happen before or during a cruise.  This is especially important when we booked the 2021 WC.  Something could happen to me, my husband, or my close family before the cruise that could result in our needing to cancel.  Having the insurance gives us peace of mind no matter what happens.  That being said, I spent many hours researching trip insurance for the WC that would get us the most coverage for the least amount o money.  We settled with a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and we feel comfortable no matter what the next 1 1/2 years brings.

[papaflamingo]

7 hours ago, fudgbug said:

You aren't being argumentative.  You are correct and we weren't treated unfairly.  The point that I was trying to make was that it was a lesson to buy insurance.  We knew exactly the chances that we had taken over a period of 35 years.

Thanks for clearing that up.    I was hoping that was your actual point.  

[Foggyzx9r]

Many years ago I worked for a medical repatriation company. Effectively, I was a qualified ICU nurse, it was a medical escort role that dealt with medical and trauma cases. 
I routinely travelled up to 3 times a week on European hops and continental once a week due to layovers.

 

I have brought back people with a range of conditions and a range of ages. 
 

One case in particular involved a 25 year old woman who was a conference visit to Nairobi. Ended up with a slipped disc and dysentery, ironic really as the conference was regarding water purification and supply.

Confined to bed and as she was concerned about the treatment prescribed, she was correct by the way, the hospital even refused painkillers. It took me 3 days to negotiate her hospital bills. She had company insurance but no repatriation.

The point I am making is that prior to her incident she was perfectly fit with no health issues. One cannot predict what may happen on any trip.

With regards to cancellation insurance it is down to personal choice if you can safely predict that  nothing untoward will happen then fine. All too often a cruise is booked a couple of years in advance. Ours is in Jan 2021 on the Navigator. I was made redundant last week, fortunately we have sufficient resources to ensure at the moment we will continue with the booking.

 

Suffice to say we do not travel without insurance including cancellation and read the fine print as well.