Travel Insurance Question

[lardan]

First off, let me say that I know all travel insurance is different, but I am looking for actual experiences in the situation I am going to describe.

I am booked on an Alaskan cruise on Zaandam this summer. We booked in January and bought the insurance. My father was diagnosed after we booked with lung cancer, and his days are limited. My question is this: Will insurance cover the cost of my cruise if he is in failing health?? Chances are very good he will pass away before my cruise leaves, but it's possible he will be on his last days or last month. I don't know the criteria for getting a refund. I have my TA checking into it, but I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone has any idea. Also, I did buy the insurance that covers Pre-existing conditions, even though his diagnosis was after I booked. I am debating cancelling the cruise if the insurance will not cover it unless the death occurs a week or so before I'm supposed to leave.

Thanks in advance

[RuthC]

First, let me say how sorry I am about what you are going through. Second, let me say that I don't have the definitive answer to your question. I can only speculate.

Since it's not yet final payment time it may come down to what is the prognosis when that date does come. In other words, would a prudent person cancel when the deposit could be refunded in full.
Only guessing here, but I would think that if his prognosis is such that you have a reasonable expectation of taking the cruise then the insurance company would pay off if that did not happen.

The specific clauses of the particular policy are what will rule. Get out the magnifiing glass and the fine tooth comb and start reading. From what you said the TA is already doing this.

Best of luck to you.

[peaches from georgia]

First off, let me say that I know all travel insurance is different, but I am looking for actual experiences in the situation I am going to describe.

I am booked on an Alaskan cruise on Zaandam this summer. We booked in January and bought the insurance. My father was diagnosed after we booked with lung cancer, and his days are limited. My question is this: Will insurance cover the cost of my cruise if he is in failing health?? Chances are very good he will pass away before my cruise leaves, but it's possible he will be on his last days or last month. I don't know the criteria for getting a refund. I have my TA checking into it, but I thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone has any idea. Also, I did buy the insurance that covers Pre-existing conditions, even though his diagnosis was after I booked. I am debating cancelling the cruise if the insurance will not cover it unless the death occurs a week or so before I'm supposed to leave.

Thanks in advance
I am so sorry, but I can relate my experience which was very similar. My Dad had been in failing health for a long time, but when we booked there was no reason to expect we would not be able to travel. He went into an emergency situation and was near death the day before we were to cruise, in fact we were already in Ft. Lauderdale. (I should add that he did not die at that time, but the only prerequisite for the insurance is that the 'expectation' is there of a possible death or that his condition was serious enough that a doc would say we should be there.) We canceled and our TA got us the forms from the insurance company, though you could easily contact the company yourself. You are covered if the health of an immediate family member is so serious that a doctor would advise you not to travel at the time of your cruise. You need to state the reason for your cancellation, include a letter from your father's doctor that the situation was serious and you needed to be with him, and then you also include all the financial proof of what you had paid Holland America (credit card statements). We had a full refund in less than 2 weeks. It was very simple and fair.

As Ruth said, of course, if you have not made final payment it would be much simplier to cancel now and just get your deposit back. If you have made final payment, then there is no reason, since you did not know the medical situation when you booked, that you would have any problem at all with the insurance company. It was all very simple, but you do need a letter from his doctor that the medical emergency is genuine and unexpected as of the time you booked.

Again, best wishes.

[noblepa]

I can't answer the OP's question directly, but it is my understanding that insurance laws in most, if not all, states allow a policy benefit to be denied only for questions that are asked on the application. IOW, if they didn't ask you if your father was sick when you applied for and paid for the insurance, then they can't deny the claim.

Also, if the policy doesn't explicitly deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, then they can't deny it for that reason. I realize that this doesn't apply in your case, though.

Paul Noble

[the2ofus]

The pre-existing condition clause applies to the person who is travelling. If I understand correctly, the OP's father was not booked on the cruise. If the insurance covers cancellation in event of serious illness or death of a family member, the OP should have no problem. A telephone call direct to the insurance company should answer the question.

To lardan, I would like to offer my sympathy and support at this very difficult time. To learn that a loved one has a terminal illness is a devastating experience. It might be worthwhile to discuss your concerns with your father's doctor. He/she may be able to give you enough information about the expected progress of the disease so that you can make an informed choice.

You might also discuss with your father and other family members. They may urge you not to change your plans, feeling that rest and time away will strengthen and calm you for the days that lie ahead.

[jhannah]

You will need to read the Evidence of Coverage provided by the company you purchased insurance from. Travelex, for example, will pay for trip cancellation due to the illness of a family member. I wish you the best.