How to Decide Which Trip Cancellation Insurance Is Best for You and Your Cruise

Not all TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE are created equal ! Just like any type insurance, the average consumer assumes that the Trip Cancellation Insurance being offered, will cover ANY need the cruiser may have ! NOT SO ! Just like insurance, to protect ourselves best, with our automobile and our home, each cruiser needs to be sure, what the Trip Cancellation Insurance ACTUALLY covers … And not just take the answers for granted !

Until recently, the Cruise Line Trip Cancellation Insurance basically only covered death and sickness. And though some have improved, by including Cancel for Any Reason clause, other needed aspects of insurance, are still yet to be included … And select cruise line insurance still do NOT offer 100% monies back with select policies !

That’s why, even as far back as 16 years ago, many of the larger Cruise Agencies (Possibly, large Travel Agencies too), choose to purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance from 3rd party vendors, outside the cruise line, to customized specifically for their customers ! Select added coverage may include: Cancel due to pre-existing medical conditions, Cancel due to weather, Bankruptcy of a currier. And today, even more new coverage, such as Cancel due to loss of job or Cancel for any reason !

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Does the policy offered cover PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL conditions ? Most consumers do NOT realize the definition of pre-existing, and again, automatically assume they don’t need this feature ! It can be as simple as a change of medication within the last 60 days, for you, or even a family member that‘s NOT traveling with you ! So though you are covered for death and sickness, pre-existing conditions could alter you from receiving your monies, if you needed to cancel at the last minute ! The doctor decides if it was pre-existing ! Also keep in mind, to be covered, some policies require you buy the insurance up front with your deposit, and others don’t require you to purchase the insurance till final payment ! Know the rules !

2. Does the policy offered cover WEATHER IN CASE YOU NEVER GET TO GO ? Many just cover so much monies to get you to the next destination, but what if you never got to go ? This feature is valuable if traveling in wintry weather or in areas that have fog, even in warm months !

3. Does the policy offered cover BANKRUPTCY OF A CURRIER ? Keep in mind, NO Cruise Line NOR Tour Operators insurance will cover bankruptcy of themselves ! And though, hopefully, there’s no fear in the major cruise lines going bankrupt, there are still the smaller cruise lines to be concerned of AND TOUR OPERATORS. FYI - The larger Cruise Agencies, who have this feature in their 3rd party insurance, are often more than glad to purchase your choice land package (from a Tour Operator) … OR … An All-Inclusive packages for you, so that you can buy their insurance, for this type coverage !!

4. Does the policy offered cover LOSS OF JOB ? This feature is so NEW, it may NOT be offered by many Trip Cancellation Insurance policies ! This feature gives a great secure feature in current tough times. You can now buy the cruise you wanted, and NOT WORRY over any UNKNOWNS with your job !

5. Does the policy offered cover CANCEL FOR ANY REASON ? Again, this opportunity is fairly NEW. And though it’s usually offered as an ADDED COVERAGE (cost), there are cruisers who need this benefit too. This added benefit, with select policies, offer monies back, instead of future cruise credit offered by select cruise line policies. Be sure to know the offer ! Example of need: Your job needs you to cancel at the last minute; You’re self employed and must cancel at the last minute !

6. And don't forget to check and see the coverage for while you're on your cruise, such as sickness/accident coverage, 24 hour emergency assistance, etc, and especially EMERGENCY EVACUATION ! I've seen policies as low as $ 10,000 for emergency evacuation, as well as $ 250,000. To be airlifted off your cruise, in the event of a personal emergency, is extremely expensive ! Just last week, an associate told me she had a customer with no insurance, that was given a choice, to pay $ 19.000 to get to Miami or $ 49,000 to get home in NJ. Due to the expense, unfortunately, this person choose Miami.

Tips & Warnings

• It’s each of our responsibilities, to know the true coverage in the Trip Cancellation Insurance being offered, that we are considering purchasing !
• Though many agents may know the general aspects of the coverage being offered, it’s also a good idea to call the Insurance provider yourself and ask specific questions, based on your own situation !
• Remember, if your agency does NOT offer a 3rd party insurance, if you are considering an outside insurance vendor, remember to find out the rules ! Again, NOT ALL INSURANCE ARE CREATED EQUAL !