Travel Insurance - so confused - help!

[rpouls]

OK - First time ever buying travel insurance was before my cruise last year, and I purchased it within 2 wks. from booking date.

 

Now, this year, I realized too late that I should have purchased the insurance right after booking my cruise.

 

Anyway, at this point, I have a few questions:

 

I know I can't get the 'cancel for any reason coverage,' but I still need insurance to cover flight, hotel, emergency medical and cruise.

 

What is my best option now for purchasing travel insurance?

 

Thanks in advance for your help:)

[TEXASMUNK]

But one gives you a wide selection of options from various insurance companies.

 

insure my trip dot com is a good place to start.

 

Addtionally, they have an 800 number so you can call while viewing and discuss coverages.

[schmeed]

This Cruise Critic article does a great job of explaining insurance and also provides links to well known and seemingly trusted companies. I checked out some of the 3rd party companies. The prices are very reasonable (actually cheaper than the cruise line) and provide better levels of coverage.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=274

 

More people should buy their own versus buying through the cruise line.

[Ken076]

OK - First time ever buying travel insurance was before my cruise last year, and I purchased it within 2 wks. from booking date.

 

Now, this year, I realized too late that I should have purchased the insurance right after booking my cruise.

 

Anyway, at this point, I have a few questions:

 

I know I can't get the 'cancel for any reason coverage,' but I still need insurance to cover flight, hotel, emergency medical and cruise.

 

What is my best option now for purchasing travel insurance?

 

Thanks in advance for your help:)

 

Below is some general info on Trip Insurance. If you have deposited but have not yet made final payment, consider CSA Freestyle, which will alow "Waiver of Pre-Existing condition" up to Final Payment. If you're a member of USAA, checkout their TravelInsured Policies. Carnival's Berkely Policy can be purchased up to 2 weeks before cruising, the Third party Policies gan be purchased pretty much up to the last-minute (but no Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions or Cancel for Any Reason).

 

ken

 

 

The Carnival Berkely Policy provides low Medical coverage, marginal MedEvac coverage and no "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions". The Policy DOES offer Future Cruise CREDIT if your claim is denied as due to a Pre-Existing Condition and now includes cancellation coverage for Hurricane Warning and Job Layoff. If you cancel your Cruise before final Payment, the Carnival Policy premium is refundable. Carnival and Berkely both claim that the Policy also covers your independently purchased AirFare. The Carnival Policy is less expensive than the 3rd party policies if you're age is in the 70’s, as Age is not factored into Carnival Berkely’s premium as it is with 3rd Party Policies.

The 3rd Party Trip Insurance Policies such as CSA, Travel-Ex and Travel-Insured offer much higher coverages and are much less expensive if you're younger. They generally offer "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" (which can expedite the claims process) if you purchase w/in 14-21 days of your Cruise Deposit; CSA allows you to purchase up to Final Payment and retain the Waiver. Otherwise, you can purchase Carnival Berkely Insurance up to 14 days before sailaway, and you can purchase most other policies practically up to sailaway. You MUST be physically fit to travel the day you purchase.

Most Policies are “Secondary” meaning that you have to first file claims with your own Health and/or Homeowners Insurance and be reimbursed/rejected by them, then the 3rd party Policy will pay what your insurance doesn’t pay (up to the limits of the policy). Primary Policies pay everything (up to limits of the Policy) without requiring you to first file and coordinate benefits with your personal policies, which can help expedite the claims process.

“Cancel for Any Reason” coverage is usually offered as an option, usually for additional 50% of the premium . It’s important to read the associated Policy as many policies do not pay 100% and many policies pay LESS the later you cancel. The Princess Berkely Policy offers 75% Cancel for Any Reason Future Cruise CREDIT.

You need to select a Policy at least somewhat based on your own situation/concerns (if traveling with kids, if prior medical conditions, if over age 70, if Military, if concerned about LayOff….:

TravelEx and TravelInsured insure kids free with insured adults.

USAA offers their members discounted (about 9%) Travel-Insured Policies with some expanded coverages.

TravelEX is PRIMARY and includes kids under 16 free and offers a Business/Military upgrade.

CSA Freestyle includes Cancellation for Layoff and for School Year Extension.

Patriot TRIP is PRIMARY coverage and includes Cancellation for Layoff, Cancelled Leave for Military, Fire & Police and Missed Cruise for Flight Delay.

TravelSafe includes Cancel for Hurricane Warning and Cancel for Any Reason (not always 100%).



You can compare Policies and Premiums for your specific age, destination, dates and cruise costs, at the Insurer's sites or at sites such as www.insuremytrip.com and www.buyamericaninsurance.com . Note that some Policies also have a $6 or $8 application Fee added-on.

 



If you're not into Research, checkout CSA Comfort and CSA Freestyle, and TravelInsured Trip Protector and AIG TravelGuard Premier Protect.



FIRST check your personal Health Plan for out-of-country coverage and your Homeowners and Credit Card for Trip Cancellation/Interruption & Baggage Loss/Delay coverage!!! (for example, World MasterCard includes Flight AD&D and Rental Car CDW, minimal Trip Cancellation/Delay and Baggage coverage, and Government Employee’s Blue Cross includes Out-of-Country Medical Coverage, via an out-of-country Provider Network. )

[jimbo5544]

Nice post, well said!