Cruise Insurance - Do You Take It?

[innlady1]

A small world story....I was in at the New England Baptist Hospital on Monday for preadmission screening, and while waiting in the Admissions area, noticed a couple come in, he carrying a HAL tote. Not being shy, I struck up a conversation and told them that I was looking for something just that morning to put my meds and records in, and almost put it all in a HAL tote; wouldn't fit, so I opted for putting my water bottle in a HAL snuggie instead (not superstitious but figured if I had that with me it might be "good luck" that I won't have to cancel our Maasdam cruise!)...

We got to chatting and he told me his wife was being admitted for knee replacement; that they were actually supposed to be on a 30 Rotterdam cruise instead. I said (big oops on my part), "I do hope you had insurance."

No insurance. Wow...I'm just not willing to take that risk! I'm pretty happy that I have HAL Platinum for our January/February cruise "in case" I have to cancel because of my upcoming surgery (which I pray every day that I do not! ;))

Curious how many "roll with the dice" and go w/o insurance?

[FoxyTerrier]

It depends on the cruise and how far in advance we are booking.

We have always had insurance when cruising in Europe just because it is more expensive. Also we have always taken it when my parents cruise with us.

If we book a few months before a 7 dayer to Mexico or the islands we usually skip it and roll the dice.

[iancal]

We roll the dice and self insure but our cruise are typically in the Carib. or Mex Riviera so the downside is not large. We have seperate health insurance so that is covered. The one and only time I had cancellation insurance was when I had a cruise scheduled with my father. We had to cancel, and yes the insurance company paid promptly.

I have arranged some travel health insurance since our coverage does not include extended vacations. I have also arranged for insurance for my parents. We never buy insurance from through a TA or a travel or cruise company. Our preference is to purchase it direct from a primary insurer as we have found the cost and the coverage to be better. It was a TA that recommended this to us years ago. Once we shopped and understood the pricing and the coverage differences we realized that her advice was sound.

[jtl513]

We've done HAL Standard, HAL Platinum, and 3rd party, depending on the circumstances, but we always have some insurance. So far the only vacation we ever had to cancel was a non-cruise to HI, but we had that insured too.

[Randyk47]

Typically we don't. We have virtually no family, there are only five of us in the whole world and the other three are in their 30's and healthy. We're healthy so rather than spend the several hundred dollars we particularly don't insure, like Iancal, Caribbean cruises.

[shandryl]

I have HAL Platinum for our two cruises coming up . You just never know. :)

[cruisinggranmama]

We self-insure. But we do make our own air so that it can be re-used if necessary.

We take out an annual additional Medical Insurance that includes getting us both back to US if necessary and covers all medical expenses and flights. We try to purchase that insurance as close to a vacation as possible and maybe get 3 trips out of it in the year.

Since that covers our biggest "fear", we feel comfortable.

[Bill B]

I have HAL Platinum. It's expensive, but for me I think the cancel 'for any reason' clause makes it worthwhile:
- I live in a country at war with itself;
- my employer could veto my holiday dates at any time; and,
- I have parents in their 80s back in Canada.

[innlady1]

I have HAL Platinum for our two cruises coming up . You just never know. :)

That's how I feel, shandryl: "You just never know." On this Rotterdam Hawaii/Tahiti 30 day cruise, an Inside for two would start at $13,300. A verandah, $24,300 for two. Insurance, a drop in the hat.

I'm a "glass is half full" type person so have never worried about having to cancel...til now. But, have still always insured. Even though our Maasdam cruise is under $10,000, that's still a lot to lose as far as I'm concerned. And since my doctor has assured me I'll be "good to go" by 1/25, I still didn't want to risk it...

[SilvertoGold]

That's how I feel, shandryl: "You just never know." On this Rotterdam Hawaii/Tahiti 30 day cruise, an Inside for two would start at $13,300. A verandah, $24,300 for two. Insurance, a drop in the hat.

Off topic, but we have friends on this Rotterdam 30 day cruise and they paid $7400 for two for an inside guarentee, including air. Huge difference!

[esther e]

We always have insurance through Access America and have paid at times almost $900 for both of us. My husband has Parkinson's so it's considered pre-existing and we have to buy within 14 days of deposit. Since we will bookk a cruise 12-18 months out, that's not a great thing. However, sitting in front of me right now is a policy I paid for to be used on a cruise we cancelled. But, as soon as I book another I can transfer this policy to the new one.

To us, it's much like running a computer without McAfee or a firewall. And even if we only cruise in the Caribbean, it can cost about $20,000 for med evac if needed. The yearly insurance that was discussed doesn't meet our needs.

[donaldsc]

A small world story....I was in at the New England Baptist Hospital on Monday for preadmission screening, and while waiting in the Admissions area, noticed a couple come in, he carrying a HAL tote. Not being shy, I struck up a conversation and told them that I was looking for something just that morning to put my meds and records in, and almost put it all in a HAL tote; wouldn't fit, so I opted for putting my water bottle in a HAL snuggie instead (not superstitious but figured if I had that with me it might be "good luck" that I won't have to cancel our Maasdam cruise!)...

We got to chatting and he told me his wife was being admitted for knee replacement; that they were actually supposed to be on a 30 Rotterdam cruise instead. I said (big oops on my part), "I do hope you had insurance."

No insurance. Wow...I'm just not willing to take that risk! I'm pretty happy that I have HAL Platinum for our January/February cruise "in case" I have to cancel because of my upcoming surgery (which I pray every day that I do not! ;))

Curious how many "roll with the dice" and go w/o insurance?

I buy a policy that covers me for a full year and covers medical and evacuation. This is the only exposure you have that costs really big money.

DON

[momatibm]

It's sort of like I have both flood and earthquake insurance - and I am inland in SC -- I might not have a hurricane, but there are strange things that define floods.

So that being said -- I always buy insurance. But I did schedule both of my knee replacements to suit my schedule.

[Zambini]

Yes, always

[Vic The Parrot]

I used to go without insurance, but after a couple of "bad things happening", I buy a policy every time I sail/fly/drive/rail/etc.


I've learned my lesson, and don't take any more chances.

[cruisinggranmama]

That's how I feel, shandryl: "You just never know." On this Rotterdam Hawaii/Tahiti 30 day cruise, an Inside for two would start at $13,300. A verandah, $24,300 for two. Insurance, a drop in the hat.

I'm a "glass is half full" type person so have never worried about having to cancel...til now. But, have still always insured. Even though our Maasdam cruise is under $10,000, that's still a lot to lose as far as I'm concerned. And since my doctor has assured me I'll be "good to go" by 1/25, I still didn't want to risk it...

We have not yet taken a cruise that reaches that financial level. When and if we do, we might have to rethink the insurance.

I surely hope you're good to go on the 25th,

[Bill S]

The first time we purchased travel insurance (after about 5 cruises), I had to use it due to 2 visits to the infirmary. The reimbursement more than covered our premium. After that experience, we never leave for a cruise without3rd-party travel insurance.

Three years ago, we booked an Alaska cruise with another couple. Several days before the cruise date, the male unit was in a vehicle accident. He sustained a broken leg and ankle requiring surgery. Luckily, they had purchased travel insurance. You just never know.

[Jade13]

I have HAL Platinum. It's expensive, but for me I think the cancel 'for any reason' clause makes it worthwhile:
- I live in a country at war with itself;
- my employer could veto my holiday dates at any time; and,
- I have parents in their 80s back in Canada.

I did not realize that you could use the Platinum policy if you live out of the the US.

To the OP. yes we always purchase insurance. HAL's is pretty good and we try to get their policy when on a HAL cruise.

[sailandcruise]

We buy insurance against risks we can not afford. Primary among these is medical evacuation to our hospital of choice. A secondary consideration is whether we consider ourselves more or less likely than average to incur a particular risk.

Cancellation insurance is mostly unnecessary IMHO. By deciding to purchase a cruise, we are deciding that we can afford to spend the amount of money that it costs. If we have to cancel, we don't "lose" the money as it has already been spent. What we lose is the vacation itself, or, alternatively, the opportunity to take a similar substitute vacation in the future.

The most important coverage that we consider necessary is medical evacuation to our hospital of choice. This can cost much more than the cost of the cruise and therefore is a risk against which we need insurance. Getting to the "nearest adequate facility" that might not be near our home or might not have the standard of care we desire could be very expensive and beyond our means. We select the limits based on how far from the US we will be and how isolated the ports are from major cities. ($1M for Antarctica, much less for Atlantic Canada or Bahamas, for example)

We like to have medical insurance that is primary so we can be assured of immediate treatment without having to worry in an emergency about an argument between insurance companies over who is responsible for charges.

Cruise interruption insurance is also desirable as this can result in extra costs to return home, beyond what we paid for the vacation, as last minute airline fares from ports with less air service than departure ports can be expensive. Travel delay coverage that pays if we miss the ship also covers unplanned expenses and is worthwhile.

If we purchase the cruise far in advance, we may wait until the final deposit is due to purchase the insurance. This ensures that we don't pay insurance on a cruise that we cancel during the no-penalty period. The tradeoff is that our selection of policies is limited to those that waive pre-existing condition exclusions up until final payment time.

Depending on whether or not we plan to rent a car, we do or do not prefer a policy that includes car rental insurance.

We are not interested in accidental death insurance; we have adequate life insurance that pays irrespective of wether death is accidental or not.

Finally, we would prefer not to pay for cancellation insurance not only because we don't need it, but because cancellation insurance is essentially an option to cancel and it is priced for the "average" cruiser. Since we would only cancel in an extreme situation, we would be overpaying for this coverage. (It may be helpful to think about this like we think about auto coverage from AAA. If you have an old car that is more likely than average to break down on the road and you drive more miles than most people, then you get good value from this coverage. However, if you always drive late model cars that are not likely to break down and your mileage is less than average, you are overpaying and subsidizing drivers who drive clunkers, so it is not in your interest to purchase this coverage. Yes, I am assuming that the cost of this coverage is independent of the type of car you drive and the amount of driving you do, as I believe it is for this type of coverage.)

We find that policies offered by the cruise lines or by travel agents typically have less coverage and/or higher prices than policies offered independently.

Your needs may differ from ours, so it is good that there are multiple options available.

[VermeulT]

and the other three are in their 30's and healthy. We're healthy so rather than spend the several hundred dollars we particularly don't insure

I used to be like you... I'm in my 30's and consider myself healthy... why spend money on travel insurance???? 3 days before my Jan Panama cruise - I fell and broke my elbow - fortunately the orthopedic was willing to put off the surgery until we returned... Now I'll never cruise without it again. Our cruise last week - 3rd party insurance was under $100 for both of us... it's worth the peace of mind!

[Typhoon1]

Don't leave home without it.

We all know the unexpected can happen.

[innlady1]

Off topic, but we have friends on this Rotterdam 30 day cruise and they paid $7400 for two for an inside guarentee, including air. Huge difference!

I was quoting the only prices I could find on-line: For a February '11 cruise/same ship/same itinerary. Obviously, I didn't ask these folks how much they lost! ;)

[innlady1]

It's sort of like I have both flood and earthquake insurance - and I am inland in SC -- I might not have a hurricane, but there are strange things that define floods.

So that being said -- I always buy insurance. But I did schedule both of my knee replacements to suit my schedule.

I'm having my hip replaced next Friday, 12/17...my orthopedic surgeon says I'll be ready to go for our 1/28 cruise (needless to say, I'm praying a lot!) ...he had a 2 1/2 month wait when I saw him end of September. Not ideal...especially before Christmas, but my main concern was the cruise.

I'm not sure why the knee replacement couldn't have waited but I didn't get into a heavy conversation with them, so have no idea.

[fann1sh]

I did not realize that you could use the Platinum policy if you live out of the the US.

Yes, this is one of the great charms of Platinum CPP for me as a Canadian.

I already have all the out of country health care I could need (except evacuation. I know HAL's $50,000 is low, but....) But I have a "complicated life" (!) There are all kinds of things which could make me need to cancel a cruise which are NOT typically insurable.

90% back is not 100% - but it's acceptable to me.

I'm glad everyone here seems clear on the difference between cancellation insurance and out-of-country medical insurance. Self insuring for cancellation risks is clearly a good option for many. However, anyone who travels out of country without medical insurance is taking a risk I can't understand.

[Bill B]

I did not realize that you could use the Platinum policy if you live out of the the US.
It's not available outside of the U.S. or Canada... but I maintain a Canadian residence.

[robertmnch]

Typically we don't. We have virtually no family, there are only five of us in the whole world and the other three are in their 30's and healthy. We're healthy so rather than spend the several hundred dollars we particularly don't insure, like Iancal, Caribbean cruises.

I was insured for the Ryndam 11/21/2010! I always take out HAL's Platinum Insurance. This time I also purchased Travelex for the flight portion of my trip. I usually don't insure my flights as I can always use the tickets for a future cruise!

After 27 cruises I had to cancel due to a "fall" and was advised by my doctor at the "ER" to NOT travel for 30 days as I had hit my head pretty hard and even though the CAT Scan initially looked OK he was still concerned! As of 12/6/2010, I still have "dizzy" spells!:mad:


Filed the Insurance Claim Forms and both companies did OK! Reimbursements completed in less than 30 days!:)


Thank you HAL and Travelex!

[Pompeia]

No, never.
And we have never needed it either. So far, rolling the dice has worked well and we have saved enough that would pay for a trip and more. So I guess we self insure. And we always do our own air.
Let me qualify all that by saying we've never booked a really long cruise so our gamble isn't over that much money. May rethink it if we do, just can't get away for super long, YET.

[DeepWaterMariner]

We never go without it these days but we self insured for years. It isn't the cancellations that worry us, it is medical evacuation costs. We've been on many cruises where we witnessed medical evacuations and figure it certainly could happen to us, especially as we age. If it was just to cover cancellation costs we would never buy it.

[suse]

Yes, we buy insurance. Once, we used it since my husband was sick, and the second time, not long ago, we missed the cruise due to flight delays. Enormous flight delays. I mean, you wouldn't have believed it. Neither did we.
We made the most of it, got a great hotel, enjoyed every moment, and flew to the next port.
Lived to tell the tale, so to speak.:)

[mudscraper]

No, never.
And we have never needed it either. So far, rolling the dice has worked well and we have saved enough that would pay for a trip and more. So I guess we self insure. And we always do our own air.
Let me qualify all that by saying we've never booked a really long cruise so our gamble isn't over that much money. May rethink it if we do, just can't get away for super long, YET.
You`re very fortunate that you can self insure against a medical evacuation flight back to the U.S. which could cost six figures depending upon distance/location etc.

[dobiemom]

I used to be like you... I'm in my 30's and consider myself healthy... why spend money on travel insurance???? 3 days before my Jan Panama cruise - I fell and broke my elbow - fortunately the orthopedic was willing to put off the surgery until we returned... Now I'll never cruise without it again. Our cruise last week - 3rd party insurance was under $100 for both of us... it's worth the peace of mind!
That's why I get insurance... peace of mind. So far I have not had to use it but I don't want the worry, and to me it's worth the $$.

[eldercruser]

We never took trip insurance until a few years ago when our parents became aged and in failing health. It was then we realized we needed it. Ironically, it was me who became extremely ill before a two week river cruise in Europe. Needless to say we didn't make it. The insurance payment will cover our future policies for years to come.

We now look at trip insurance as just part of the total cost.

[SWACK]

We live in the snowbelt and travel in winter, so we always get the insurance.. needed it in 2 of our 8 cruises to date.. one was running from a Hurricane into a closed port, with all airlines closed..

We also have aging mothers, and if illness came, would make the choices clearer, and would not get yelled at by Mom for wasting a trip just cause she was a 'little' sick..