Princess cruse bait and switch

I appreciate your issues and your were certainly lied to by Princess which should not be a surprise. However, I do not think that the term "bait and switch" applies to what they did.

DON

I appreciate your issues and your were certainly lied to by Princess which should not be a surprise. However, I do not think that the term "bait and switch" applies to what they did.

 

DON

It always amazes me to find that people with certain unusual, circumstances call Princess 1-800 number to ask pertinent questions about health, mobility, diet as well as who put the left hand screw in the port side azi pod, and where do you buy your eggs and what is the weather forecast in Iceland on July 23rd 2019. If you have a medical condition...talk to your DOCTOR, not the sweet young thing who answers the phone at Princess. They don't know any more than is on the screen in front of them. I would suspect a good many of those agents have never even set foot on a ship, nevertheless answer any questions with up to date valid answers. Even if you have an issue of some kind, health, mobility, diet....do extensive research, ask questions and ask again, Insurance agents, your health care provider, mobility specialists in your area...BEFORE you even book your cruise.....You can NEVER assume you are getting correct information

I appreciate your issues and your were certainly lied to by Princess which should not be a surprise. However, I do not think that the term "bait and switch" applies to what they did.

Sorry if this sounds demeaning, but I'm still quite unsure whether he was lied to or he just didn't understand what he was told.

He claimed that after reading the insurance info and asking multiple times, he still didn't know there was more than one "option." Yet the insurance brochure clearly, clearly, clearly states there is Standard PVP and PVP Platinum. Two options. (Which hasn't changed, though the insurance company has.) And I can't believe that multiple Princess reps wouldn't tell him so, as though it's some sort of corporate conspiracy. (Especially since PCL probably makes more money from selling Platinum policies than Standard.) In any case, the salient difference is between a 75% cancel-for-any-reason payoff and 100%, as well as increased payouts for other things. We still don't know for sure why his wife's claim was refused. If it has to do with the preexisting condition clause, which seems a lot more likely to me than "having the wrong insurance," which of the two policies he chose was irrelevant. And, just to be sure, I just spoke with an AON rep and she confirmed what I've already said here.

Meanwhile, people have been posting things on this thread that are clearly inaccurate. And that shouldn't be a surprise.

I am deeply sorry for the medical problems which lead to your dilemma. That said, every time I have made a deposit for a Princess Cruise, I have received a copy of the insurance fine print. Additionally I have had to electronically confirm that I was aware of the Princess Terms and Conditions before I could access my booking. I have read it. It will be tedious but it is all there. I would rather deal with Princess than TripMate any day of the week. I prefer Princess insurance because there is no age rider. It turns out to be cheaper for me.

Sorry, but that's not accurate. You can in fact be undergoing treatment during the 60-day lookback period. From the current Princess website:

 

 

 

Q: If I have a heart condition and am on continuing medication, am I protected if my heart condition flares up during my vacation?

 

A: Yes! Princess Vacation Protection provides reimbursement for conditions that are stable during the 60-days prior to purchase, so if you have had no changes in your health (even if you are on continuous unchanged medication), you would be protected.

Oh wow; that’s really good to know! I did a search online that said otherwise, but that’s wonderful Princess covers that!

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It is correct that you can be undergoing treatment during the "lookback" period, but the treatment must be stable. If your medication was changed, it will likely be deemed that your condition was not stable and therefore not covered. If you have a medical situation, it may be worth your while to purchase insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. Many private policies have this at no cost provided the insurance is purchased within a specified number of days after booking the cruise. Beyond that time frame, some insurances allow you to add pre-existing coverage for a fee.

We were just doing our insurance due diligence for a long cruise in the fall. We are looking at a few coverages including Princess standard verses platinum. (We are elite, so the standard is mute.) Per my agent, Princess "insurance" policy does NOT cover pre-existing conditions. However, Princess itself as part of buying the policy from them does provide cancellation for pre-existing conditions at 75% for the standard policy, and 100% for the platinum in future cruise credit. (Some time rules apply and this might also cover cancellation for any reason, not sure.)

There are numerous other policies that can be purchased. The one we are more than likely going with has coverage at 100% for an existing condition. Cost is 25% more than Princess standard.

One of the things the OP should check is if their credit card supplied any level of cancellation coverage. The United card we have did cover at 10K, but this changes at the end of next month.

Here is alink to a spreadsheet we put together for a trip two years ago. Some of the info is out of date.

LINK

Per my agent, Princess "insurance" policy does NOT cover pre-existing conditions.

It's important, as I said here before, to pay attention to the actual definition of "pre-existing condition." Read what Princess says. Read the actual policy. If you were diagnosed with something before the 60-day look-back prior to purchasing the policy, if that condition were stable, and if you needed no new treatments for it and the meds you took were unchanged, that condition would not fall under "pre-existing condition." To quote Princess yet again: Princess Vacation Protection provides reimbursement for conditions that are stable during the 60-days prior to purchase, so if you have had no changes in your health (even if you are on continuous unchanged medication), you would be protected.

While I can easily imagine an insurer looking for ways to deny a claim, the actual language here is pretty unambiguous, regardless of what a travel agent says. And I'm done repeating the same thing.

It is correct that you can be undergoing treatment during the "lookback" period' date=' but the treatment must be stable. If your medication was changed, it will likely be deemed that your condition was not stable and therefore not covered. If you have a medical situation, it may be worth your while to purchase insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. Many private policies have this at no cost provided the insurance is purchased within a specified number of days after booking the cruise. Beyond that time frame, some insurances allow you to add pre-existing coverage for a fee.[/quote']

 

Actually, HAL's own policy doesn't have a pre-existing clause at all and is ALWAYS cancel for any reason with a cash - not cruise credit - reimbursement (though the max payout is only 90%). My TA offers a policy that waives the pre-existing condition clause as long it's purchased by final payment. It's all pretty confusing.

It's important, as I said here before, to pay attention to the actual definition of "pre-existing condition." Read what Princess says. Read the actual policy. If you were diagnosed with something before the 60-day look-back prior to purchasing the policy, if that condition were stable, and if you needed no new treatments for it and the meds you took were unchanged, that condition would not fall under "pre-existing condition." To quote Princess yet again: Princess Vacation Protection provides reimbursement for conditions that are stable during the 60-days prior to purchase, so if you have had no changes in your health (even if you are on continuous unchanged medication), you would be protected.

 

While I can easily imagine an insurer looking for ways to deny a claim, the actual language here is pretty unambiguous, regardless of what a travel agent says. And I'm done repeating the same thing.

You are right as to part of the conditional problem. However, what I understand is the coverage for this is under princess, not the insurance from what I have found. That was all I was trying to point out. There is a large gray area here. I know the 60 day clause needs to be looked at closely. Stable with no changes is key. Make sure your condition falls into the description.

Bottom line, READ the policy and do not go by what anyone says. Things change overnight. The devil is in the details.

You are right as to part of the conditional problem. However, what I understand is the coverage for this is under princess, not the insurance from what I have found.

The insurance under Princess is the cancel for any reason part, so pre-existant conditions are irrelevant. The pre-existing condition definition I was paraphrasing comes directly from the AON website.

https://affinitytravelcert.com/document/pdfs/Princess_Platinum_33_State_COI.pdf

Sorry about your wife, as the previous poster said, under your circumstances, I would have used a knowledgeable travel agent, gotten the correct insurance. As for the Carrier, I have Princess Platinum insurance and the carrier is Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company out of Garden City NY. I have printed out the policy and it gives me on the first page, the benefits and maximum benefits....in black and white

Oh and it's not bait and switch, each policy is suited for each individual cases. You need to know what you are purchasing and 75% off a future cruise is being VERY generous

Not sure how you have Nationwide because my Princess Platinum is Aon insurance company. Is it also Nationwide? I didn't think it was.

Any way, I had to cancel a 10 day cruise that we were supposed to take in April due to my daughter's illness. We cancelled one day before and I got a full refund (less the premium amount, of course). Took a few weeks but I got it.

It seems to me that your claim is quite valid, especially if you purchased, as you did, insurance in good faith, and what the insurance was even issured by Princess.

I would write to the President of Princess Cruise Line. In addition, I would call your local Congressman or woman, and I would also call your local T.V. station. I am sure that Princess would not like to see this story get out to the public.

Good luck.

Not sure how you have Nationwide because my Princess Platinum is Aon insurance company. Is it also Nationwide? I didn't think it was.

Any way, I had to cancel a 10 day cruise that we were supposed to take in April due to my daughter's illness. We cancelled one day before and I got a full refund (less the premium amount, of course). Took a few weeks but I got it.

Yes, it says on page 3, Your plan is administered by Aon Affinity Travel Practice, it also say in very bold letters....in a few places ----Notice to NY residents....The Princess Cancel for any Reason Travel Credit feature may be purchased SEPARATELY (my caps) from the Princess Travel Insurance Program..Contact 1-888-******** for details..

Stevenr597....Reallly??? Contact the president of Princess, CONGRESSMAN, local TV station....for something someone didn't READ...come on now....I hope you aren't an attorney....with advise like that, you should be disbarred.....UNLESS you want to represent me.....I went to the 7-11 on Thursday, bought some milk, got it home and the expiration date is tomorrow....total MISREPRESENTATION....I expect the milk to be good for at least a week after I get it home, not two days. I bought it in good faith, they did not sell me fresh goods. I already wrote the president of 7/11 and contacted my local TV stations.....what do I do next...

Not sure how you have Nationwide because my Princess Platinum is Aon insurance company. Is it also Nationwide? I didn't think it was.

Any way, I had to cancel a 10 day cruise that we were supposed to take in April due to my daughter's illness. We cancelled one day before and I got a full refund (less the premium amount, of course). Took a few weeks but I got it.

Aon has the insurance for most states. A few other states uses a different company. I don't remember the company.

Found the quote:

• * For New York and Washington state residents, Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits are underwritten by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio; NAIC # 10952 under Policy/Certificate Form series TAHC5000.
  

It seems to me that your claim is quite valid, especially if you purchased, as you did, insurance in good faith, and what the insurance was even issured by Princess.

It has nothing to do with purchasing in good faith. It is about reading the fine print!

Someone with cancer has pre-existing conditions that really require an insurance that includes coverage for this.

I had an unusual situation and could not find a plan that covered my situation. I had to buy 2 plans for every trip just in case. I knew of my situation and had to read the fine print and call the insurance company and ask the important questions.

I would not rely on a Princess rep or even a travel agent to know all the details. When I asked my travel agent some questions and she was unsure - she didn't tell me something wrong, she gave me the phone number to call the insurance company directly to find out from them! I appreciated it as she is not an expert in travel insurance. She knows a lot about them but when it comes to unique situations - you need to find out for yourself.

OP buys the insurance that he was told to by Princess. Princess doesn't honour it. CC folks blame OP for not doing his homework, not using a travel agent and not reading the fine print instead of Princess for giving the wrong info in the first place. Typical CC.

To OP... I'm sorry about your wifes worsening condition, that you were given bad info and that Princess isn't making things right. Thanks for letting everyone know.

OP buys the insurance that he was told to by Princess. Princess doesn't honour it. CC folks blame OP for not doing his homework, not using a travel agent and not reading the fine print instead of Princess for giving the wrong info in the first place. Typical CC.

 

To OP... I'm sorry about your wifes worsening condition, that you were given bad info and that Princess isn't making things right. Thanks for letting everyone know.

The problem is that Princess looks out for Princess. An agent looks out for their clients. Do you see the difference? When I had a relative with a medical condition, I read the fine print and asked the difficult questions of the insurance company. If the OP had called the insurance company - they would have found out the coverage.

The OP is lucky they received a cruise credit for a future cruise. I am glad they had that coverage. I sure hope they can use it. Other policies may have offered nothing.

Not sure how you have Nationwide because my Princess Platinum is Aon insurance company. Is it also Nationwide? I didn't think it was.

Any way, I had to cancel a 10 day cruise that we were supposed to take in April due to my daughter's illness. We cancelled one day before and I got a full refund (less the premium amount, of course). Took a few weeks but I got it.

READ your Policy. You will find it is "Administered by Aon" but "Underwritten by XXX" - the "XXX" dependent on your location of residence- in your case Nationwide.

See below quotes from my Policy:

THIS PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED AND ADMINISTERED BY AON AFFINITY.

AON AFFINITY IS THE BRAND NAME FOR THE BROKERAGE AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

OPERATIONS OF AFFINITY INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. (TX 13695); (AR 100106022); IN CA

& MN, AIS AFFINITY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. (CA 0795465); IN OK, AIS AFFINITY

INSURANCE SERVICES, INC.; IN CA, AON AFFINITY INSURANCE SERVICES, INC.

(CA 0G94493), AON DIRECT INSURANCE ADMINISTRATORS AND BERKELY INSURANCE

AGENCY AND IN NY, AIS AFFINITY INSURANCE AGENCY. AFFINITY INSURANCE SERVICES

IS ACTING AS A MANAGING GENERAL AGENT AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION

626.015(14) OF THE FLORIDA INSURANCE CODE. AS AN MGA WE ARE ACTING ON BEHALF

OF OUR CARRIER PARTNER.

The Princess Travel Insurance Program is underwritten

by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company,

Columbus, Ohio; NAIC # 10952 (all states except as

otherwise noted) under Policy/Certificate Form series

TAHC5000. In CA, HI, NE, NH, PA, TN, and TX, Policy/

Certificate Form series TAHC5100 and TAHC5200. In IL,

IN, KS, LA, OH, OR, VT, WA, and WY, Policy Form #’s

TAHC5100IPS and TAHC5200IPS. Certain coverages are

under series TAHC6000 and TAHC7000.

READ your Policy. You will find it is "Administered by Aon" but "Underwritten by XXX" - the "XXX" dependent on your location of residence- in your case Nationwide.

 

See below quotes from my Policy:

 

THIS PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED AND ADMINISTERED BY AON AFFINITY.

AON AFFINITY IS THE BRAND NAME FOR THE BROKERAGE AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

OPERATIONS OF AFFINITY INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. (TX 13695); (AR 100106022); IN CA

& MN, AIS AFFINITY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. (CA 0795465); IN OK, AIS AFFINITY

INSURANCE SERVICES, INC.; IN CA, AON AFFINITY INSURANCE SERVICES, INC.

(CA 0G94493), AON DIRECT INSURANCE ADMINISTRATORS AND BERKELY INSURANCE

AGENCY AND IN NY, AIS AFFINITY INSURANCE AGENCY. AFFINITY INSURANCE SERVICES

IS ACTING AS A MANAGING GENERAL AGENT AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION

626.015(14) OF THE FLORIDA INSURANCE CODE. AS AN MGA WE ARE ACTING ON BEHALF

OF OUR CARRIER PARTNER.

 

The Princess Travel Insurance Program is underwritten

by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company,

Columbus, Ohio; NAIC # 10952 (all states except as

otherwise noted) under Policy/Certificate Form series

TAHC5000. In CA, HI, NE, NH, PA, TN, and TX, Policy/

Certificate Form series TAHC5100 and TAHC5200. In IL,

IN, KS, LA, OH, OR, VT, WA, and WY, Policy Form #’s

TAHC5100IPS and TAHC5200IPS. Certain coverages are

under series TAHC6000 and TAHC7000.

SO, just to clarify....you purchase "insurance" but depending on where you live, your "policy" you purchase may not be the same inclusions as someone who lives in another state.....ASK AND READ

The problem is that Princess looks out for Princess. An agent looks out for their clients. Do you see the difference? When I had a relative with a medical condition, I read the fine print and asked the difficult questions of the insurance company. If the OP had called the insurance company - they would have found out the coverage.

 

The OP is lucky they received a cruise credit for a future cruise. I am glad they had that coverage. I sure hope they can use it. Other policies may have offered nothing.

You, and others, don't seem to have any problem with a cruise line giving out bad information and you don't think that they should be held responsible for the mistakes that they make.

If it were me, I would have called the insurance company directly too, but I shouldn't have to. I should be able to rely on what the companies representative tells me. They are in it for themselves, but that doesn't mean they can give out wrong info then say "You didn't actually believe us did you? What a knob! YOU should have checked with someone else who doesn't work for the cruise line.".

As for the OP being 'lucky', what a crock. 'Lucky' would have been being able to rely on the information they got from the company they bought the coverage from. 'Lucky' would have been getting their money back. Heck, that's not even 'lucky'. It's what should have happened if the OP's post is accurate, and I have no reason to believe it isn't.

You, and others, don't seem to have any problem with a cruise line giving out bad information and you don't think that they should be held responsible for the mistakes that they make.

 

If it were me, I would have called the insurance company directly too, but I shouldn't have to. I should be able to rely on what the companies representative tells me. They are in it for themselves, but that doesn't mean they can give out wrong info then say "You didn't actually believe us did you? What a knob! YOU should have checked with someone else who doesn't work for the cruise line.".

 

As for the OP being 'lucky', what a crock. 'Lucky' would have been being able to rely on the information they got from the company they bought the coverage from. 'Lucky' would have been getting their money back. Heck, that's not even 'lucky'. It's what should have happened if the OP's post is accurate, and I have no reason to believe it isn't.

No. Since we are not privy to the conversation that the OP had with the Princess agents and since he has posted several inaccuracies, it certainly appears that he did not convey his needs accurately to the Princess agents. They are NOT insurance agents. They can give you the information that they have in front of them, but certainly should have suggested that he call the insurance company directly. He says this: "I specificly ask about the insurance. Was told there was only one option. I ask this question for several months over and over agian after reading the insurance info." All Princess agents know there are two flavors of the insurance. That's pretty core stuff. And through it all... "several months"... it didn't occur to him to call the insurance company directly? :rolleyes:

You, and others, don't seem to have any problem with a cruise line giving out bad information and you don't think that they should be held responsible for the mistakes that they make.

I don't want to exaggerate but I have a friend who lives near a Princess call center. They were recruiting Princess phone reps for summer positions in a high school newspaper. This was several years ago but you get the picture. Many of these people have never cruised before, let alone are experts on insurance.

Not sure about you, but whenever I book a cruise, I am immediately sent the Princess insurance policy. It would have given the OP a perfect time to read it.

Yes - I say lucky because many people come here with health issues and don't have any coverage. He walked away with something - I hope he can use it.

I don't want to exaggerate but I have a friend who lives near a Princess call center. They were recruiting Princess phone reps for summer positions in a high school newspaper. This was several years ago but you get the picture. Many of these people have never cruised before, let alone are experts on insurance.

 

Not sure about you, but whenever I book a cruise, I am immediately sent the Princess insurance policy. It would have given the OP a perfect time to read it.

 

Yes - I say lucky because many people come here with health issues and don't have any coverage. He walked away with something - I hope he can use it.

So your point is that it's OK to provide the wrong information and not stand behind it because they don't hire experienced people and they don't train them properly? :o:rolleyes:FTR: If the folks on the telephone don't know the right answers then it's the companies fault, not the customers.

So your point is that it's OK to provide the wrong information and not stand behind it because they don't hire experienced people and they don't train them properly? :o:rolleyes:FTR: If the folks on the telephone don't know the right answers then it's the companies fault, not the customers.

We don't know how that conversation transpired. What we do know is that the OP was sent a copy of the insurance he purchased and in the fine print is their coverage for pre-existing conditions. In the end, it is a legal contract in which the OP was provided the contract. By law, the insurance company fulfilled their obligation based on the what the insurance covers.