Travel insurance

[RobertGraves]

Hello,

 

I have post this answer also to the 'Ask about cruises' list of threads, but I had answers only about US companies so far.

 

Can anyone suggest a reliable European Union travel insurance company for our cruise next month?

 

As we have to fly from the old world to the new, I am particularly interested in the case of flight cancellation due to bad weather conditions or airstrikes, which would make it impossible for us to catch the QM2 in New York in time.

 

Thank you in advance!

[lexxity]

Try American Express.

[hansol1966]

We always use insureandgo. Bronze, Silver and Gold options also very competitive.

Itemised website ..very easy to use.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[southwestie]

I looked at a lot and went for more than they were very good and covered everything , and as we had several cruises in a short time it was worth it

 

tob

[The REAL Sir Martin]

I'm not at all convinced that anyone can recommend an insurance company as everyone has completely different requirements/background etc. One person's profile will elicit an excellent quote from an individual company, another with different requirements will not. And the comparison sites are fine if you have no complications, but useless if you have.

 

I would recommend a small, possibly local, insurance broker who can find a company that specialises in what you are looking for; they are often surprisingly competitive.

 

Mary

[Raskolnikov]

Have you checked with Cunard? I purchased Cunard Care that seems to cover any legitimate contingency.

[RobertGraves]

Have you checked with Cunard? I purchased Cunard Care that seems to cover any legitimate contingency.

 

The first thing I did was to contact Cunard through my travel agent. But they answered that Cunard Care can be given only with final payment, and they prompted me to search privately.

 

I was ready to book with AIG, but their recent financial results made me cautious.

 

At any case, I have just booked through IMG, a reputable company as far as I have checked. They had an adequate plan, I must say, applying also to non-US customers, covering cancellation (or interruption) of the trip due to labour strikes and bad weather, which I was mainly interested in - as well as the other usual cases, as luggage, medical or emergency medical evacuation, etc. And quite inexpensive: $100 premium for $2500 cover (how much does Cunard Care cost?).

 

Only setback is that the flight must be delayed at least 24 hours. But I have booked two nights at the Waldorf in advance.

 

So, once again, thank you all for your kind answers!

[Raskolnikov]

Hi Robert:

 

You are right... I forgot about that--you have to buy Cunard Care when you pay for the voyage. The premium is actually a percentage based on the total price of the voyage. When I initially booked it, the premium was just around $115, but then I added a Gatwick transfer to the voyage, and the price went up. I believe I paid about $127. Much to my surprise, Cunard wasn't very helpful in terms of insurance information. They would only provide a phone number to the insurance carrier if you wanted to know the specifics. I was most concerned--like you--about trip interruptions because I am flying through New York to get to Gatwick (I'm sailing westbound back to New York) and in the spring, thunderstorms can mess up everything going into new york. I'm in DC, so the good thing is that I can at least get to NYC by train if I can't get out of DC on a plane. However, I am flying into Gatwick the morning of the cruise. The insurance carrier didn't mention anything about a 24-hour interruption limitation, and I didnt' know to ask. I guess I better call them to find out. Also, they didn't indicate a cap on coverage. For instance, they said that if I needed to be evacuated, the insurance would cover the cost of a helicopter to pick me up and take me somewhere. Maybe stupidly, I expected Cunard to offer the best overall coverage, given that they were tacking their "name" onto it. I wonder if anyone else has had experience with Cunard Care?

[fizzy1]

do check that your bank does not include travel insurence, we have a nat west gold account which includes travel ensurence as part of the package

[The REAL Sir Martin]

do check that your bank does not include travel insurence, we have a nat west gold account which includes travel ensurence as part of the package

 

And do check that your bank card insurance covers you for everything you need. They tend not to.

 

Mary

[RobertGraves]

Hi Robert:

 

You are right... I forgot about that--you have to buy Cunard Care when you pay for the voyage. The premium is actually a percentage based on the total price of the voyage. When I initially booked it, the premium was just around $115, but then I added a Gatwick transfer to the voyage, and the price went up. I believe I paid about $127. Much to my surprise, Cunard wasn't very helpful in terms of insurance information. They would only provide a phone number to the insurance carrier if you wanted to know the specifics. I was most concerned--like you--about trip interruptions because I am flying through New York to get to Gatwick (I'm sailing westbound back to New York) and in the spring, thunderstorms can mess up everything going into new york. I'm in DC, so the good thing is that I can at least get to NYC by train if I can't get out of DC on a plane. However, I am flying into Gatwick the morning of the cruise. The insurance carrier didn't mention anything about a 24-hour interruption limitation, and I didnt' know to ask. I guess I better call them to find out. Also, they didn't indicate a cap on coverage. For instance, they said that if I needed to be evacuated, the insurance would cover the cost of a helicopter to pick me up and take me somewhere. Maybe stupidly, I expected Cunard to offer the best overall coverage, given that they were tacking their "name" onto it. I wonder if anyone else has had experience with Cunard Care?

 

The difference in the premium asked by Cunard Care to that which I have paid is funny, even with the air supplement. I would not hesitate to prefer Cunard Care if I was given the opportunity, IF they covered my specific needs. If they did so, I wouldn't mind if they offered the best overall coverage. Perhaps the service from Cunard is not the best in this matter, but I would feel more safe with them...

 

At any case, I realize insurance companies are very sensitive with wording, so we must read the proposed terms carefully. :D

 

As to bank card insurance, I checked my own before deciding, but they did not offer what I demanded. :(

 

It would be really very interesting to learn from someone in this knowldgeable forum their experiences with Cunard Care...

[RobertGraves]

The insurance carrier didn't mention anything about a 24-hour interruption limitation, and I didnt' know to ask. I guess I better call them to find out. Also, they didn't indicate a cap on coverage. For instance, they said that if I needed to be evacuated, the insurance would cover the cost of a helicopter to pick me up and take me somewhere.

 

My insurance cap for emergency medical evacuation is $20,000 per person. And for medical in general $10,000 (including dental).