Guidance Needed

[rbslos18]

We are looking to book a Viking Ocean Cruise. I need guidance on which Travel insurance policy to use. Our lone parent is 90 and has dementia. Their health currently is stable. Is there a policy you would recommend that would enable us to cancel should their health deteriorate. We especially need a company with a liberal pre-existing policy. The policy will be purchased simultaneously when we purchase the cruise.

 

Lastly, the Viking policy is issued by Tripmate which seems to have poor reviews. The Viking policy does allow for Cancel for Any Reason. 

 

Thanks for your guidance.

RB

[LDVinNC]

May I suggest you contact one of the brokers frequently mentioned on this site:  insuremytrip, squaremouth, or tripinsurancestore.  All are dot com.  We use tripinsurance store and are very happy with their service.  In any event, CALL and discuss your particular situation.

[GeezerCouple]

 

30 minutes ago, LDVinNC said:

May I suggest you contact one of the brokers frequently mentioned on this site:  insuremytrip, squaremouth, or tripinsurancestore.  All are dot com.  We use tripinsurance store and are very happy with their service.  In any event, CALL and discuss your particular situation.

 

We use www.TripInsuranceStore.com - and we also recommend that you CALL and discuss your particular concerns/needs.

 

However, regarding what you posted, we've purchased (through TIS) policies from Travel Insured, and first... they *pay* their claims.

Second, if you do start the coverage right when you make the *first* payment for your trip (deposit or whatever) within the deadline (10-21 days, depending upon state), then you'll have coverage for any pre-existing conditions, as long as you are "fit to travel" when you start the coverage.

 

Indeed, earlier this year, we had an unfortunate last-minute cancellation due to elderly MIL's sudden illness, and TI paid.  So we know the policy works as advertised, as long as one has the proper documentation, etc.

 

We also get CFAR coverage, which we've never actually used, but it helps with peace of mind.  In particular, with a very elderly relative, we had actually expected we might need it.  That is, MIL really never complains, and always has said, "Go, go... enjoy your trip!!"  But IF she ever said, "I don't really feel right", and we were about to go on a major trip, we'd probably want to use CFAR, because no physician would tell us "not to travel away from her" if that was her only "complaint".  But *we* would not want to leave if she said something like that, etc.

 

(But as it happened, she landed in the ER and then hospital, so it turned out not to be any vague concern of hers.  The regular coverage paid; we didn't use the CFAR.  But we still feel much better with it.  Also, given the vagaries of global politics, *we* might decide that we didn't feel comfortable going someplace, even if there were no official "do not travel there" warnings.  Again, we've never used CFAR for that, but we like knowing we'd have the coverage if *we* thought it important/prudent/etc.)

 

Good luck with your travels and with your relative!

 

GC