RCI's Insurance vs Insurance On-Your-Own

[cjdixon4]

Curious...I'd like to know whether anyone's had any experiences with using the travel insurance offered by Royal Caribbean's insurer and insurance that you purchased on your own. Which do you prefer and why? Thanks!

[bryanjaync]

I believe that RCI insurance is not age based, but based on the price of the cruise. If you are trying to insure the elderly (like my 80's parents) age-based insurance is extremely expensive.

[tiessa]

We always get insurance through AAA because it covers any excuse to cancel, unlike RCCL's, and it covers our flight and hotel besides just the cruise.

 

Thank heavens we've never had to use it. It is more expensive but I'm more comfortable with it since it is so all encompassing.

[FLACRUISER99]

Curious...I'd like to know whether anyone's had any experiences with using the travel insurance offered by Royal Caribbean's insurer and insurance that you purchased on your own. Which do you prefer and why? Thanks!

Every person & cruise is different and there is no simple answer to this question. You just have to compare all the policies using insure my trip or other online sites with RCI insurance.

[njmomof2]

It's important to look at the coverage levels of both cruiseline provided insurance and privately available insurance. While the cruiseline insurance is cheaper for those over a certain age, the coverage for medical and medical evacuation are lower than those for privately available insurance.

 

You need to look at each component carefully and decide what coverages you need and select accordingly.

[marci22]

Read all the terms and conditions of the policies you are interested in. There will be limits on how late your plane flight has to be before they pay, what exactly is covered, etc.

[Ken076]

As mentioned, you really have to do a side-by-side comparison, in relation to your particular needs (if you're traveling with kids, have cancellation for school schedule concerns, if you have cancellation for work concerns.....).

 

The cruiseline insurance Medical Coverage IMO is VERY low and their MEDEVAC coverage IMO marginal; you can generally get higher coverages and lower premiums (especially the younger you are) with the 3rd party policies. The 3rd party policies generally waive "pre-existing condition" exclusion if you purchase shortly (several weeks) after booking your cruise.

 

The cruiseline includes "Cancel for any reason" which is a future cruise CREDIT (not a refund) which is pretty good if a Credit works for you -- the 3rd party policies offer "cancel for any reason" but generally at an added 50% premium and the REFUND can vary from 50% to 90% depending on the policy, and how late you cancel.

 

Also -- some credit cards include (usually minimal) cancellation and baggage coverages, and some Health Insurance Policies include "out-of-country" medical coverage, the combination of which might be adequate for your needs.

 

ken

[Gil T. Azell]

Curious...I'd like to know whether anyone's had any experiences with using the travel insurance offered by Royal Caribbean's insurer and insurance that you purchased on your own. Which do you prefer and why? Thanks!

 

The limits of coverage with the cruise care insurance is extremely low. In a serious medical emergency the amounts covered could easily be exceeded and you would be out of pocket for hefty medical bills and all other expenses.

 

You are much better off to buy a policy on your own and pay close attention to the medical expenses limit and air evacuation amounts. After that look at trip cancellation/trip interruption, baggage, and such and find a policy with limits that you are comfortable with.

[JillLovesTravel]

Also, don't forget when deciding which insurance to purchase to check out any benefits you may have with regard to coverage on the particular credit card you use to pay for your trip. Some CC's have insurance added, especially with regard to flights, luggage etc. So if you already have that you don't need to over insure.

[GTO-Girl]

Yesterday, while making a change to a cruise I had booked earlier in the week I was questioned as to WHY I didn't take Royal's insurance as it was better coverage at a better price? The rep just insisted on giving me the highlights of the policy and I agreed to listen.

 

After hearing what the cruiseline's policy covered I finally had to tell her that the Travelex policy I just bought will serve as the primary carrier (not secondary) and that even at our age (60's), was cheaper with MUCH better coverage for both medical and medical evacuation.

 

We were both polite about it, but I'm not sure she believed me. :o

[The Viking]

We always get insurance through AAA because it covers any excuse to cancel, unlike RCCL's, and it covers our flight and hotel besides just the cruise.

 

Thank heavens we've never had to use it. It is more expensive but I'm more comfortable with it since it is so all encompassing.

 

Last year we had to cancel a cruise for medical reasons and were not only refunded the cruise but also the airfare to Europe. We used the insurance issued through RCCL.

[critterchick]

Yesterday, while making a change to a cruise I had booked earlier in the week I was questioned as to WHY I didn't take Royal's insurance as it was better coverage at a better price? The rep just insisted on giving me the highlights of the policy and I agreed to listen.

 

After hearing what the cruiseline's policy covered I finally had to tell her that the Travelex policy I just bought will serve as the primary carrier (not secondary) and that even at our age (60's), was cheaper with MUCH better coverage for both medical and medical evacuation.

 

We were both polite about it, but I'm not sure she believed me. :o

 

Does your Travelex policy include "cancel for any reason" coverage? That is is main reason we get the insurance if we do - we have two medical policies that cover us worldwide, including evacuation, so are really looking at insuring the cost of the trip.

 

Last year we had to cancel a cruise for medical reasons and were not only refunded the cruise but also the airfare to Europe. We used the insurance issued through RCCL.

 

And I hope you (or whoever was ill) are fully recovered now.:)

[nbsjcruiser]

Curious...I'd like to know whether anyone's had any experiences with using the travel insurance offered by Royal Caribbean's insurer and insurance that you purchased on your own. Which do you prefer and why? Thanks!

 

We use our credit card. It is provided free with our yearly fee. As a backup, I also have a travel plan offered through my employer for around $50 a year. That plan would cover any pre-existing issues that the cc doesn't.

[GTO-Girl]

Does your Travelex policy include "cancel for any reason" coverage? That is is main reason we get the insurance if we do - we have two medical policies that cover us worldwide, including evacuation, so are really looking at insuring the cost of the trip.

 

 

No......my policy is not the cancel for any reason.

 

We do buy it early enough to cover any pre-existing conditions and honestly we are more concerned with medical and medical/evac that anything else.

 

I'm not paying the cruiseline more money for coverage that's half of what I have for medical & medical/evac through Travelex.

[pcur]

Funny this thread should pop up on the first page today. I just did a personal analysis yesterday on travel insurance for two cruises I'm taking next year. Since I am a former health insurance analyst, it's kind of second nature for me to do this sort of thing.

 

Anyway, I found that the policies on insuremytrip.com ran approximately 8% of the total cost of the trip.

 

CruiseCare runs around 6.5%

 

The big box warehouse travel center runs 5%, but you have to book the cruise through them to get the coverage.

 

The cancellation coverage is standard with a 60 day (or more) pre-exist clause. This means if you, a fellow traveler, or an immediate family member become ill or even die from a condition that was already being treated within 60 days of the trip, they won't pay. This also includes conditions where medication was started within that 60 days.

 

So, we have:

 

All The Rest policies (ATR)

CruiseCare (CC)

Big Box Travel (BBT)

 

ATR: these policies have really beefed up medical, evacuation, and delay coverage. The best cancellation coverage still includes the common 60-day pre-exist clause.

 

If you want really good medical and other coverage, and are not worried about the 60 day pre-exist, then this is the more expensive but best coverage.

 

CC: this is cheaper, the coverage not nearly as robust, but the 75% future cruise credit is a good deal for cancel for any reason. Air is paid as a separate part of the coverage, and it covers 100% if cancellation is before the trip, and 150% if reimbursement is for air after the trip begins. Like, you have to pay through the nose to get home.

 

BBT: this is the best of all the coverages I looked at. It completely waives the pre-exist if you buy it when you book. It has coverage like the ATR policies, and it's the cheapest. I got this for my MIL last December when we cruise with her. Booked her through BBT, and us through our usual TA.

 

If you have good medical insurance that has a high paying medical evacuation benefit, then CC is a good choice. It is strong on the cancellation coverage, but weak on medical.

 

If you need strong medical coverage, then ATR is your best bet.

 

If you are primarily concerned with cancellation coverage, but want to book directly through your TA or RCCL (or don't have a BB membership), then CruiseCare is a good choice. I've had CC myself, even put a claim in with them. They were great.

[cjdixon4]

The myriad of responses here are fantastic. Great info to take into consideration...;)

[flyawayca]

Funny this thread should pop up on the first page today. I just did a personal analysis yesterday on travel insurance for two cruises I'm taking next year. Since I am a former health insurance analyst, it's kind of second nature for me to do this sort of thing.

 

Anyway, I found that the policies on insuremytrip.com ran approximately 8% of the total cost of the trip.

 

CruiseCare runs around 6.5%

 

The big box warehouse travel center runs 5%, but you have to book the cruise through them to get the coverage.

 

The cancellation coverage is standard with a 60 day (or more) pre-exist clause. This means if you, a fellow traveler, or an immediate family member become ill or even die from a condition that was already being treated within 60 days of the trip, they won't pay. This also includes conditions where medication was started within that 60 days.

 

So, we have:

 

All The Rest policies (ATR)

CruiseCare (CC)

Big Box Travel (BBT)

 

ATR: these policies have really beefed up medical, evacuation, and delay coverage. The best cancellation coverage still includes the common 60-day pre-exist clause.

 

If you want really good medical and other coverage, and are not worried about the 60 day pre-exist, then this is the more expensive but best coverage.

 

CC: this is cheaper, the coverage not nearly as robust, but the 75% future cruise credit is a good deal for cancel for any reason. Air is paid as a separate part of the coverage, and it covers 100% if cancellation is before the trip, and 150% if reimbursement is for air after the trip begins. Like, you have to pay through the nose to get home.

 

BBT: this is the best of all the coverages I looked at. It completely waives the pre-exist if you buy it when you book. It has coverage like the ATR policies, and it's the cheapest. I got this for my MIL last December when we cruise with her. Booked her through BBT, and us through our usual TA.

 

If you have good medical insurance that has a high paying medical evacuation benefit, then CC is a good choice. It is strong on the cancellation coverage, but weak on medical.

 

If you need strong medical coverage, then ATR is your best bet.

 

If you are primarily concerned with cancellation coverage, but want to book directly through your TA or RCCL (or don't have a BB membership), then CruiseCare is a good choice. I've had CC myself, even put a claim in with them. They were great.

 

Thanks for doing this breakdown, it's very helpful.

 

I've never really known which insurance, if any, I should get. My health insurance covers me very well outside of the country so I never knew which would be a waste.

[Guest maddycat]

Funny this thread should pop up on the first page today. I just did a personal analysis yesterday on travel insurance for two cruises I'm taking next year. Since I am a former health insurance analyst, it's kind of second nature for me to do this sort of thing.

 

Anyway, I found that the policies on insuremytrip.com ran approximately 8% of the total cost of the trip.

 

CruiseCare runs around 6.5%

 

The big box warehouse travel center runs 5%, but you have to book the cruise through them to get the coverage.

 

The cancellation coverage is standard with a 60 day (or more) pre-exist clause. This means if you, a fellow traveler, or an immediate family member become ill or even die from a condition that was already being treated within 60 days of the trip, they won't pay. This also includes conditions where medication was started within that 60 days.

 

So, we have:

 

All The Rest policies (ATR)

CruiseCare (CC)

Big Box Travel (BBT)

 

ATR: these policies have really beefed up medical, evacuation, and delay coverage. The best cancellation coverage still includes the common 60-day pre-exist clause.

 

If you want really good medical and other coverage, and are not worried about the 60 day pre-exist, then this is the more expensive but best coverage.

 

CC: this is cheaper, the coverage not nearly as robust, but the 75% future cruise credit is a good deal for cancel for any reason. Air is paid as a separate part of the coverage, and it covers 100% if cancellation is before the trip, and 150% if reimbursement is for air after the trip begins. Like, you have to pay through the nose to get home.

 

BBT: this is the best of all the coverages I looked at. It completely waives the pre-exist if you buy it when you book. It has coverage like the ATR policies, and it's the cheapest. I got this for my MIL last December when we cruise with her. Booked her through BBT, and us through our usual TA.

 

If you have good medical insurance that has a high paying medical evacuation benefit, then CC is a good choice. It is strong on the cancellation coverage, but weak on medical.

 

If you need strong medical coverage, then ATR is your best bet.

 

If you are primarily concerned with cancellation coverage, but want to book directly through your TA or RCCL (or don't have a BB membership), then CruiseCare is a good choice. I've had CC myself, even put a claim in with them. They were great.

 

We have been using the Trip Insurance Store to buy our travel insurance. Their website is very easy to understand. If we have a question we call and speak to one of their very knowledgeable and helpful agents. Lately we have been buying Travel Safe Insurance. It's primary coverage. We purchase it with in 21 days of booking our cruise so that pre-existing medical conditions are covered.

 

***Trip Insurance Store***

[jamon]

thanks for the info

[pcur]

We have been using the Trip Insurance Store to buy our travel insurance. Their website is very easy to understand. If we have a question we call and speak to one of their very knowledgeable and helpful agents. Lately we have been buying Travel Safe Insurance. It's primary coverage. We purchase it with in 21 days of booking our cruise so that pre-existing medical conditions are covered.

 

***Trip Insurance Store***

 

The pre-existing condition clause I'm referring to is WHAT WAS IN EFFECT IN THE PRIOR 60 BEFORE YOU CANCEL THE POLICY, not what medical condition you may have when you buy the policy. If you (or a family member) have standard meds you take for a condition, and nothing changed in the 60 days prior to cancellation, then you're OK to cancel.

[lauren0309]

We always go to insuremytrip.com There you can compare many different policies and see their prices and coverages.

[LES1JOAN]

We are booked on Explorer in Feb. If there is a blizzard in NJ and we cannot get to pier would any insurance cover this as a cancellation?

[pcur]

We are booked on Explorer in Feb. If there is a blizzard in NJ and we cannot get to pier would any insurance cover this as a cancellation?

 

Yes.

[nbsjcruiser]

Just a FYI.DH had an accident a few years ago in Nassau while on a cruise. He broke his collar bone. The ships Dr thought it would be best if the hospital took a look at it as they had better equipment . The ship called an ambulance. The ambulance ride costs $300 and they do not accept insurance. The hospital charges $1500 for a x-ray and a good go over. The hospital also did not accept insurance. You have to pay up front and summit it to your insurance when you get home. We had Blue cross (world wide coverage up 5 million dollars) but the hospital said that they have had too many problems with insurance company's that they will no longer take insurance. Moral of the story have great insurance but always carry a high limit credit card. You just never know

[FLACRUISER99]

The only problem I have with purchasing 3rd party insurance through sites like Insuremytrip.com or tripinsurancestore.com is that it's nonrefundable. If you book a cruise a year or more away many things can happen that may make you cancel your cruise. Therefore for cruises far in the future I usually book the RCI insurance, however I also have a separate evacuation Insurance.