Cruise Insurance

[Ned]

Recently, Tripso Columnist, Anita Dunham-Potter, wrote a terrific article, Choosing Cruise Insurance (http://www.tripso.com/archives/2006/04/insurance.html). In the reprint of the article on MSNBC.com she asked the question, "Do you need cruise insurance?" She answered her own question, saying "You betcha!"

She's certainly right in my opinion. An important matter the article discussed was whether you buy your cruise insurance from the cruise line or a third party travel insurance company. I'm interested in knowing what all you cruisers out there do about insurance, and why. I'll wait to hear from some of you before I chime in with how my wife and I insure our cruises.

[susanliber]

I just booked a cruise with my travel agent through Fan Club Cruises. I knew I wanted insurance but didn't know what it would entail or how much was a reasonable cost. I asked Anita for some input too. I ended up going with a 3rd party insurance - Access America. The coverage was good and the cost was reasonable. It will cover not just the cruise but the airline tickets up to the amount of the coverage. My travel agent called them to confirm it all.

This is the first time we have bought travel insurance. Usually our trips are not this costly or as long. So I am doubly glad to have gone through my wonderful travel agent Mary Ann.....who keeps telling me I should be a travel agent!!!

[Eileen Sellers]

I always favor "real" insurance, Access America or Travel Guard, for the same reasons stated in the article. Which by the way is an excellent article.

Cruise line insurance is sometimes more than other insurance, except when you hit that magical age of 70 plus. Then the rates go sky high, making cruise line insurance a real bargain. So if you are buying your air, and cruise together from a known and respectable line who isn't likely to go BK, then it might be an option to buy their insurance as well. Having said that, you would still need to know the underwriting rules for pre existing conditions etc.

[silver cloud]

I highly recommend insurance and do so even when we went to Las Vegas. My girlfriend got sick and had to go home - and that insurance came in handy!

I always book the insurance thru the travel agent that I booked my cruise with. Better safe than sorry is my mantra.

Mary

[treborsema]

[COLOR=blue]


:D :D Purchaed ins. last year for trip to Euro river trip to Christmas markets. Mother of 98 years broke hip day before departure...CSA refunded every penny we had paid to tour company...this was third party ins. We have always purc. ins. on 6 trips to Europe.

A wise investment if you hate to throw away assets otherwise salvable...

[cruiser]

I always buy cruise insurance, or any other type of travel insurance from a 3rd party. Travel Underwriters for other Canadian readers. I always buy a package which includes, trip cancellation (before you go!), trip interrruption (while you're away) and excess medical to cover to part of the bill our provincial medical plan won't when we're out of province.
I also have a frequent traveller plan for my wife and I for short trips, essential for those who live close to the border like we do and visit the USA at short notice. Well short except in the line ups for customs & immigration both ways but that's another story.

[Ned]

I too, always by trip insurance on all trips which aren't quickies for business or soccer on which the only thing I'd loose is airfare. I always purchase the insurance from a third party. My travel agent takes care of this for me. Most of the time the insurance has been through Travel Guard.

Unfortunately, the insurance has periodically come in handy. In our family we've had to cancel a couple of trips over the years due to a death in the family, had seriously delayed luggage (3 days in one case) and needed to purchase clothes and other items, and had to leave a trip early because a companion got ill. If you're purchasing an expensive two and a half week cruise with land tour for a family, and something happens at the last minute to cause the trip to be cancelled, you don't want to loose that kind of money.

[Jason's Storm]

I buy 3rd party travel insurance, when I'm not going to be in America.

~JS

[Annette]

You know it's really gratifying to see that some people actually GET the need for insurance. I've had clients who have had to use it because of things like schedule changes that have left them stranded overnight. Heck I've used it for exactly that. And for having to deal with luggage that NW so kindly delayed for 2 days. But there are some people that don't believe that they will ever need insurance. "I know I'm going, I won't be cancelling"...

[drwong]

Interesting statistic Ned - according to your poll, NOBODY reading your message bought their trip insurance from the cruise line itself, although according to industry standards, many do.

Is that because Tripso readers are such wise and informed travellers??? :D