Anyone looking for comprehensive travel policy

[Jayjay900]

Seen number of people comment on their insurance policy does not cover current pandemic situation.

Just reviewed our RBS Black Account travel policy in the light of what is currently happening in the world. 
Found:
1. Covers pandemics
2. Specifically states flights/ hotels paid with points - they will repay your taxes taxes and buy you the points back for your particular programme.

Review concluded this is actually a very good policy !

[Isklaar]

It does appear to offer more comprehensive cover than most UK policies. Cancellation cover is £10k per person which is better than the UK Amex Platinum card. However, that level of cover isn't enough to cover us for longer SB cruises, but it's adequate for trips that are shorter, depending what suite type we book.

 

Just wondering though, have you any experience of dealing with RBS Black for a claim or assistance?

I'm hoping that the travel insurance side is more efficient than breakdown assistance, fully aware it will be a different organisation but I'm not familiar with the UK travel insurance underwriter. 

We needed breakdown assistance last year and the handling of a straight forward "we're in such and such a car park at such and such a town and the car won't start" assistance request was farcical.

Eventually the assistance company turned up about 3 hours later (bearing in mind it was a summer day, midweek, and we were in a suburb of a major UK city) but getting to that point was stressful given that it wasn't a day of bad weather or a remote location or in the middle of the night when roadside assistance may be especially busy or understaffed.  

 

But certainly, given the relatively low compulsory excess, the higher level of cancellation cover and other benefits it's definitely one for UK cruisers to consider, especially if they have no pre-existing medical conditions and are under 70.

 

 

 

Edited February 19, 2020 by Isklaar

[Jayjay900]

Have made one claim on the policy a few years ago: 3 night booking for a castle for New Year. Had very bad ear infection 2 days before due to go and was dizzy when stood up. Doctor said I could not travel. Paid us the £6000 very quickly from receipt of doctors completed form.

 

Have also once had the recovery at home. We live in the middle of nowhere and they were actually quite quick. Could just have been luck though!

 

My husband does have pre existing medical conditions: we pay a supplement of £94 a year for him for these to be covered.

 

Agree about the limits. The £10,000 each covers us for the Penthouse Spa Suite for 12 nights in the Caribbean in November, but would have fell far short for the Wintergarden Suite on the Encore last year.

.

Edited February 19, 2020 by Jayjay900
Wrong word

[Isklaar]

We must have picked the wrong day to break down! Hopefully - should we need it again - our experience will be better.

 

Reassuring to know that your travel insurance claim was dealt with efficiently. 

 

We've found the only way to get cover for a higher amount would be via an insurance broker.

I would be interested to know if any other UK Seabourn cruisers have found cover for more than £10k so as not to be under insured for cancellation on longer cruises and/or premium suites.

We've taken a chance a few times and travelled without anywhere nearly enough cover for cancellation but last year we had to cancel a short land based holiday due to medical reasons. Fortunately we were covered for the full amount because we'd spent much less than we do for our Seabourn trips.  Following that experience we don't intend to take any chances in the future.