Hurricane Insurance

[shabri]

We are looking to cruise in August. Is there hurricane insurance? A type that would enable us to postpone our cruise?

 

Thanks

[paul929207]

Travel insurance usually covers weather poblems. Just check the policy before you buy.

[klfrodo]

Here's the problem that you may/will have.

 

For insurance purposes there is no storm or hurricane until it's been named. Once it's named, now it's an official storm/hurricane.

 

Now, the cruiseline will not cancel a sailing unless the storm is passing over the embarkation/debarkation port during the timeframe the ship is in said port. Even then, they'll more than likely sail around outside the storm until it passes. Then come in and let everyone off and let others get on.

 

Now, let's say you are set to sail in 4 days. A tropical storm system looks like it might hit your embarkation port. You decide not to travel. Insurance will deny your claim because no cruiseline has cancelled any sailings yet. Besides, the hurricane hasn't even hit yet.

 

Your best bet is to look for an insurance policy that has a "Cancel For Any Reason" clause. More expensive, but you get what you're looking for.

[BaumD]

If the cruiseline cancels your cruise due to a hurricane, they will refund your money and probably give you a discount on a future cruise. If you decide on your own you don't want to go due to a pending storm and the ship goes without you, most insurance policies won't cover that.

[CC Help Michell]

If the cruiseline cancels your cruise due to a hurricane, they will refund your money and probably give you a discount on a future cruise. If you decide on your own you don't want to go due to a pending storm and the ship goes without you, most insurance policies won't cover that.

 

And then there's the middle course (and maybe the most common) -- the cruise sails, but the line changes the itinerary, sometimes dramatically, to avoid the hurricane. Sometimes the cruiser is unhappy because they picked THIS cruise for THIS port, or didn't want an extra sea day, etc. The cruiselines do all they can to avoid weather systems, including changing ports, but cancelling a cruise is pretty rare. The best advice is to read the terms of your policy and make sure you know what coverage you purchased. "Cancel for any reason" coverage is more expensive, and moreover usually must be purchased within a matter of days from the first payment on the cruise (the booking/deposit) -- if you may need that coverage, be aware and book it before you no longer can.