Travel Insurance - Carnival's or other provider?

Just curious what everyone else does.

We just added coverage through Carnival, but not until I got a quote from another provider. Cost and coverage were comperable.

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I never get insurance, I am a gambler and we book only a few weeks out, so I feel less compelled to purchasing.

My father, on the other hand, is sick every year(he has lung problems) and the Nov-Mar is very difficult for him. He is planning on the Valor when it moves to Puerto Rico and I told him he had better buy insurance for his airfare and his cruise, would be silly for him not to.

He went with Carnival and the airline for his insurance.

I got better coverage for same price and it includes air which we did not get through Carnival but if you have a Carnival travel package their ins should cover everything. Just always hope we never have to use the ins but have in the past for minor things like damaged luggage.

We prefer to book with another provider like travel guard as they will be more likely to have your interest rather than what is best for the cruise line. Also they usually are much less expensive than the cruise line carrier.

We prefer to book with another provider like travel guard as they will be more likely to have your interest rather than what is best for the cruise line. Also they usually are much less expensive than the cruise line carrier.

Actually travelguard's quote was higher tgan Carnival's. By about $5 - $10 per person, so not significant. But still.

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Actually travelguard's quote was higher tgan Carnival's. By about $5 - $10 per person, so not significant. But still.

 

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Travel guard probably gave you better coverage.

Actually travelguard's quote was higher tgan Carnival's. By about $5 - $10 per person, so not significant. But still.

 

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Unless you are age 70+ this is pretty unusual (as long as you're not Canadian)! Carnival's medical coverage of $10,000 and Emergency Evacuation coverage of $30,000 is VERY low and most Policies are substantially higher with noticeably lower premium, and Carnival does not include "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" that's included in most Policies if you purchase w/in 14 days or so of Cruise Booking. Having said that, Carnival does include independently booked airfare and other Policies you have to add that in. make sure the other quotes you got weren't the combined premium for two passengers.

ken

Unless you are age 70+ this is pretty unusual (as long as you're not Canadian)! Carnival's medical coverage of $10,000 and Emergency Evacuation coverage of $30,000 is VERY low and most Policies are substantially higher with noticeably lower premium, and Carnival does not include "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" that's included in most Policies if you purchase w/in 14 days or so of Cruise Booking. Having said that, Carnival does include independently booked airfare and other Policies you have to add that in. make sure the other quotes you got weren't the combined premium for two passengers.

ken

We weren't getting the waiver because we booked the cruise months ago, but Carnival is also offering the waiver now.

Travelguard offers three levels of coverage, one with lower limits than Carnival, one with higher limits and one that was comparable to what Carnival offered.

This is really a tough question to answer. I do not take Carnival insurance because as my TA explains, Carnival Insurance does not cover pre existing conditions. Note that after I purchased other insurance, I received 14 one sided pages of restrictions, conditions, descriptions, particular state requirements and restrictions, exclusions, limitations, claim procedures, etc., etc., etc.. So if any one gives any advise on this subject, they had better be a practicing attorney.

Given the fact that most non travel, health insurance does not cover conditions outside the US, I buy the travel insurance. Hopefully, I would still be covered inspite of the 14 page attachment.

Just about every other cruise seems to have a health emergency with some one. Given 3,000 passengers and another 1,150 crew members, odds are good that some one will need help.

Outside insurance covers so much more....and I've never seen Carnival beat an outside price, much less the coverage.....just me. ;)

My regular insurance covers most things but I use Travelex on top. Its primary insurance with no deductible its easier if needed. No need to be calling two insurace companies if something happens.

I would go with an outside agent.

I used www.insuremytrip.com to compare various policies and companies, and opted to use one of the policies offered through John Hancock since it covered travel delays by auto including traffic and accidents en route.

It was $87 for my sister and me; Carnival wanted c. $70 EACH.

CSA was even cheaper, but didn't cover automotive travel and we were driving down to Miami.

Next time I book a cruise I'll purchase insurance right after my first deposit so I can get the pre-existing condition waiver.

We weren't getting the waiver because we booked the cruise months ago, but Carnival is also offering the waiver now.

 

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Be careful - The Carnival Policy does NOT have "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" - they have a 60 day-lookback window for pre-existing conditions.

If you have any questions concerning this exclusion, please call 1-800-331-2796 for further clarification." ken

I was all set to go with Carnival's insurance, just to simplify planning, BUT when I realized they offered no pre-existing condition waiver, that changed my mind.

What a difference-counting back so many days, trying to remember if we had doctor appointments, changed prescriptions, etc. and then worrying that if we did get sick that it could be connected to a pre-existing condition, even if was not--or buying a policy for a significantly cheaper price that offers pre-existing coverage! (we did purchase within 14 days of making our deposit)

The only pre-existing condition I have to worry about would be if my plantar fasciitis made it hard to walk the long pier in Costa Maya LOL.

I looked at insuremytrip and everything I got was higher than Carnival's price. My company extended health plan covers everything those insurance plans do (from the health side of it) except emergency evacuation from the ship, which is to me the reason to get insurance. But it does cover return to Canada from land, and we have 4 ports of call. Trip interruption and cancellation is a tough one to decide to spend hundreds of dollars on. It's not like this is a hugely expensive trip to begin with, and we aren't going in hurricane season, which reduces some of the risk.

So, I still have to ask myself if I feel lucky, or just plan to do my gambling in the casino LOL

We weren't getting the waiver because we booked the cruise months ago, but Carnival is also offering the waiver now.

 

Travelguard offers three levels of coverage, one with lower limits than Carnival, one with higher limits and one that was comparable to what Carnival offered.

The Carnival Policy doesn't include "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" - you can still get this up to final Payment via CSA.

If you're checking 3rd party premiums, many sites quote the premium as the total for the number of people in the quote, but the coverages are per person. I checked TravelGuard for Cruise Cost $801-$1000, for two travelers ages 50 and 45 on insuremytrip:

Basic $84 total for the 2 travelers

Gold $110 total for the 2 travelers $25K medical, $500K Evacuation

Plat $156 total for the 2 travelers

Silver $94 total for the 2 travelers

The Carnival VPP is $109 per person ($218 for the two travelers) almost twice the Carnival premium, for better medical and evac coverage.

ken

Okay so I have a question, my mother in law was just diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia. She is fine right now but has decided to go with us on our next cruise due to this will most likely be the last family vacation she will be able take. My question is if she gets sick before we leave and she has purchased Carnival's insurance will she be covered if she cannot go. I called and spoke with them when we booked the cruise and we were assured that she would be coverd now after reading the posts I am not sure. :confused: Should we look into different trip insurance...

We always purchase cruise/air insurance that includes PRIMARY coverage.

We have Medicare which does not cover us out of the US. Our Medigap coverage has a deductible and then 80/20 coverage.

We'd rather not have to go through our regular medical insurance.

I've always found coverage through insuremytrip instead of Carnival. Got "Cancel for any Reason" coverage for next summer's cruise and still saved over 30% from Carnival's rates for roughly similar policies.

Be careful - The Carnival Policy does NOT have "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" - they have a 60 day-lookback window for pre-existing conditions.

 

"In Parts A & B (except Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation) we will not pay for any loss caused by or incurred resulting from a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion as defined below.

Pre-Existing Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the 60-day period immediately prior to your effective date for which you or your Traveling Companion, or Immediate Family Member who is scheduled or booked to travel with you:

1) received or received a recommendation for a diagnostic test, examination, or medical treatment;

or

2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine.

Item 2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 60-day period before coverage is effective under this Policy.

If you have any questions concerning this exclusion, please call 1-800-331-2796 for further clarification." ken

The way I read it is that if you have a heart condition or diabetes and require medical attention while on the cruise, you are not covered. If you had the flu 61 days ago and get the flu again requiring medical attention, you are probably covered.

The way I read it is that if you have a heart condition or diabetes and require medical attention while on the cruise, you are not covered. If you had the flu 61 days ago and get the flu again requiring medical attention, you are probably covered.

Actually - if the Heart condition or Diabetes was totally under control, no changes in Rx, no hospitalization or new treatment in 60 days preceding insurance purchase, you should be covered. IMO it's "easier" to buy a policy that has "waiver of pre-existing conditions" so that you don't have to (potentially) argue with Insurance Company as to whether your issue was/wasn't considered a pre-existing condition.

ken

Okay so I have a question, my mother in law was just diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia. She is fine right now but has decided to go with us on our next cruise due to this will most likely be the last family vacation she will be able take. My question is if she gets sick before we leave and she has purchased Carnival's insurance will she be covered if she cannot go. I called and spoke with them when we booked the cruise and we were assured that she would be coverd now after reading the posts I am not sure. :confused: Should we look into different trip insurance...

You have to be medically fit to cruise the day you purchase the Insurance.

If your mom was diagnosed with the Leukemia during the 60 days preceding your Carnival Insurance purchase I'd say she wouldn't be covered; if during that same 60 days she had any change of treatment, medication change, etc., I'd say she wouldn't be covered. However, if her claim was denied by Carnival as due to a pre-existing condition she would get 75% future cruise CREDIT from Carnival, but I'm not sure that's of any value in this situation.

Personally I'd go with a 3rd party insurer as being higher overall coverages at maybe a lower premium, depending on Mom's age (if 70+ the 3rd party policies will be much more expensive than Carnival's). Carnival's $10,000 medical is VERY low - a policy with $25,000 or $50,000 would probably be better.

If you did not purchase insurance w/in 14 days of cruise booking, about your only option would be to purchase CSA (Freestyle or 'Luxe) no later than final cruise payment, to get "Waiver of Pre-Exisiting Conditions".

You could also partially mitigate the risk with "Cancel for Any Reason" option in a 3rd Party Policy, but this is usually a 50% added premium, MUST be purchased w/in 14 days or so of Cruise Booking, and would give a REFUND of 50% to 90% depending on the Policy and when you cancel.

ken

You have to be medically fit to cruise the day you purchase the Insurance.

 

If your mom was diagnosed with the Leukemia during the 60 days preceding your Carnival Insurance purchase I'd say she wouldn't be covered; if during that same 60 days she had any change of treatment, medication change, etc., I'd say she wouldn't be covered. However, if her claim was denied by Carnival as due to a pre-existing condition she would get 75% future cruise CREDIT from Carnival, but I'm not sure that's of any value in this situation.

 

Personally I'd go with a 3rd party insurer as being higher overall coverages at maybe a lower premium, depending on Mom's age (if 70+ the 3rd party policies will be much more expensive than Carnival's). Carnival's $10,000 medical is VERY low - a policy with $25,000 or $50,000 would probably be better.

 

If you did not purchase insurance w/in 14 days of cruise booking, about your only option would be to purchase CSA (Freestyle or 'Luxe) no later than final cruise payment, to get "Waiver of Pre-Exisiting Conditions".

 

You could also partially mitigate the risk with "Cancel for Any Reason" option in a 3rd Party Policy, but this is usually a 50% added premium, MUST be purchased w/in 14 days or so of Cruise Booking, and would give a REFUND of 50% to 90% depending on the Policy and when you cancel.

 

 

ken

Oh my goodness, so much information. :eek:

We booked the cruise last weekend and purchased the insurance at the time of booking. She is physically fit as of right now and she is 65 , she does not feel sick so that is why we figured they would go ahead and book the cruise and go with us... Our cruise is about 3.5 months out and her doctor felt she would be more then fine to travel then but you never know.

I will start investigating different ins. policies tonight to get this figured out since it seems we only have a short time to purchase a different insurance. Does the time frame make a difference if they paid in full at time of booking?

Thank you for your help... :)

Oh my goodness, so much information. :eek:

 

We booked the cruise last weekend and purchased the insurance at the time of booking. She is physically fit as of right now and she is 65 , she does not feel sick so that is why we figured they would go ahead and book the cruise and go with us... Our cruise is about 3.5 months out and her doctor felt she would be more then fine to travel then but you never know.

 

I will start investigating different ins. policies tonight to get this figured out since it seems we only have a short time to purchase a different insurance. Does the time frame make a difference if they paid in full at time of booking? No.

 

Thank you for your help... :)

With most 3rd party Policies, to get included) Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions and optional (usually 50% extra charge) Cancel for Any Reason REFUND, you need to purchase 14-21 days you need to purchase within 14-21 days of cruise booking depending on insurer. You might checkout TravelEx (Select) and CSA Freestyle 'Luxe, altho maybe a bit pricey for age 65.

If you purchased Carnival Policy, you should be able to cancel with Refund of premium up to your Final Payment Deadline date.

ken