Hal vs. 3rd party cruise insurance?

[jetfixer03]

I'm hoping you guys can share some of your experience with me before I book my cruise in the morning. We didn't get cruise insurance on our previous 2 cruises...but the way things are going this year has changed my perspective. As I understand it, the HAL cancelation protection plan just buys you the right to cancel up to 24 hrs in advance and get most of your money back, for any reason ($70 per person). How does this compare with 3rd party insurance policies with regard to cancelation? I'm mostly concerned with the cancelation protection...but I'm wondering if I can get a 3rd party policy with similar protection, plus the emergency transfer coverage to boot for the same or less money. This is kind of a last minute deal, so I'd appreciate any input from you guys.

Thanks,

Chris J.

[jetfixer03]

It's looking like the big difference is that the HAL protection is "for any reason", as opposed to a list of specific reasons on the other policies. We missed a cruise this month due to dealing with the aftermath of Francis and the prospect of Ivan's possible arrival. My wife is responsible for a couple hundred elderly folks that were still without power at the time so her employer needed her there. It doesn't look to me like this would have qualified under Travelex, for example. Fortunatly her company is covering us in this case...but it's got me skittish now with the weather the way it has been this year.

[grandma bev]

Chris, there are many different kinds of insurance covering many different things. My suggestion (besides my usual one: READ THE FINE PRINT) since time is short, would be to phone a couple of independent travel insurance companies, tell then what you would like to protect (money spent, health issues, etc.) then let them suggest a product. As for myself, I gotta take time to "read the fine print".
Your frugal,
Bev

[Sage]

You may want to check out Access America travel insurance. We have heard really good things about them. We have them for our next three cruises.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have used Access America - Delux for some time now.

Very pleased with them.

Had to cancel a cruise once only a few days before we were to leave home - sent in the information, filled out the forms - lost very little money.

Friends of ours - wife got pneumonia on a 72 day cruise and had to be hospitalized in Singapore for 2 weeks - also had to stay another couple of weeks before her doctor would allow her to fly home. Had Access America - very pleased with them as well.

[hdawson]

Go to www.insuremytrip.com and compare policies and coverages. I think Travel Guard www.travelguard.com has a policy that will cover employer requiring you to cancel as well as military call-up. I usually book direct with Travel Guard but had very good service with CSA earlier this year when I had to cancel due to illness.

[mayesd]

Go to www.insuremytrip.com and compare policies and coverages. I think Travel Guard www.travelguard.com has a policy that will cover employer requiring you to cancel as well as military call-up. I usually book direct with Travel Guard but had very good service with CSA earlier this year when I had to cancel due to illness.

I checked travel gaurds best policy and it say's:
b) You are terminated, or laid off from employment subject to five years of continuous employment at the place of employment where terminated.
You are covered for the above but I didn't see where it covered other situations for your job.

I also saw that they offer Change of mind but the max payback is $250.

[jetfixer03]

Thanks everyone for your input, this place is great! I checked with Insuremytrip and it looks like there are no 3rd party policies that cover cancelation outside the usual list of reasons, death, illness, damage to your home making it uninhabitable, military call up, job termination..etc. So I'm going to go with HAL cancelation protection, it just seems to fit our circumstance the best. Now I can re-book and start the countdown over again...Oct. 31 Oosterdam!! :)

Chris J

[hdawson]

May thanks for the clarification. Since I retire, I didn't pay real close attention.