With cruise lines performing test cruises and declaring new departure dates, it’s time to start booking your next trip.
In the last few years, travel insurance has grown to be one of the most popular insurance products available. For one, it is remarkably cost-effective. It’s essentially indispensable on international trips and ideal for travelers of all ages and occupations.
Hence, it gives you peace of mind when traveling.
Travel insurance gives a good backup, particularly on cruises, where medical claims tend to be more high-priced than other trips. A travel insurance policy can protect you from a range of unexpected situations while you’re traveling.
Whether you’re looking for trip cancellation coverage to refund the costs of hotels, flights, and other pre-paid and non-refundable trip expenses you already paid, or if you require medical expense coverage to protect you from the huge costs of overseas treatment and hospitalization, a travel insurance policy can certainly reduce your risks.
Travel insurance is essential for travelers who need a solution to protect themselves from unforeseen situations that could alter their travel plans.
Whether you’re planning on going solo or with a group of friends or family, insurance companies can help you find a suitable domestic or international travel insurance policy that matches your needs. You can analyze all of your trip insurance options, obtain coverage online, and travel worry-free.
The best travel insurance policy gives you peace of mind no matter where your journeys take you. You’ll know where to go if something goes wrong, with 24/7 emergency support from your trip insurance provider.
It can be difficult to know where to start when searching for a travel insurance policy. There are many distinct variables involved in the quote procedure and insurance carriers extend a variety of plans and coverage levels to choose from. Nonetheless, an ideal policy grants sufficient coverage at a fair price.
Tips for Buying the Best Cruise Insurance
Whether it’s your first cruise or one of several, having the appropriate travel insurance is important. The common reasons cruise passengers make insurance claims are trip cancellation, travel medical charges, and trip interruption coverage.
Here are excellent starting points for coverage you’ll apparently want in a cruise insurance plan:
Trip cancellation insurance
This refunds you 100% for the pre-paid and non-refundable deposits you spend if you have to cancel for a ground covered by the policy.
Trip interruption coverage
This will compensate you a percentage of the unused trip expenses, such as 100%, 150%, or 200% of your tour is cut short because of ailment, injury, death, or other reasons.
Emergency medical expenses
This refers to medical expenses due to injuries and illnesses you get while on the trip. The best travel insurance plans have $500,000 in travel medical insurance, but you might find $100,000 to be enough for a cruise.
If you’re a senior, good travel medical coverage is vital. That’s because U.S. health plans commonly have very insufficient or no coverage outside the country. And Medicare doesn’t include medical care outside the U.S., with only very thin exceptions.
The medical benefits of a travel insurance policy can assist to cover any sudden accidents and illnesses. This can include treating a jellyfish sting from a snorkeling excursion or acquiring antibiotics for an unexpected illness like strep throat.
Make sure the travel insurance plan you purchase covers your pre-existing conditions. You can accomplish this by preparing a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, but this requires to be added within 14 to 21 days (depending on the company) after arranging your initial trip deposit.
Emergency medical evacuation coverage
This comprises the costs to get you to the closest adequate medical facility or even back home if it’s medically needed.
If a consumer is cruising to a more isolated location, or one with poor quality or insufficient health care options, a supplemental evacuation insurance plan can be a huge plus. After all, normal air ambulance bills can easily rise to more than $40,000.
Cancel for any reason coverage
Canceling for reasons that aren’t registered in the policy isn’t covered unless you have already bought cancel for any reason coverage. This usually reimburses you 50% or 75% of trip expenses and lets you cut the trip for any reason you have.
Travel insurance, in general, is created to protect the consumer from the unexpected. So, if you think there is a situation that may affect your trip, you may want to reconsider a policy with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) choice.
These are offered by certain types of travel companies, sometimes at an additional cost. Some grant cashback while others let you get a refund.
Additional coverage
You can add other insurance as required, such as lost/damaged luggage coverage. Discuss with your travel insurance agent to meet coverage to your particular requirements and concerns.
What a Better Prepared Cruise Voyager Should be Doing?
Here are other ideas for cruise passengers:
- Always check the expiration dates on your passports and be informed of possible travel insurance claims in other countries well before you leave.
- Obtain an international plan from your cell phone or data provider for the course that you’ll be away. The cost you spend for calls and data through the cruise lines are expensive, and this will allow you to operate smoothly when in ports.
- Make sure you’re up to speed on the entry claims for the destinations you’ll be visiting. This often covers vaccinations or inoculations needed for certain places. You won’t be permitted to get off the ship if you don’t meet the country’s requirements, or in some instances, you won’t be permitted to step on the ship if you’re missing certain requirements.
- Ditch the water bottles that aren’t filled with water at home. Most cruise lines are cognizant of this method and will confiscate your ‘liquid’ if it’s flammable.
Methodology
To get the best cruise insurance, we’ve evaluated the best travel insurance plans with at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage and at least $250,000 in medical evacuation. We scored them according to the following determinants:
Price (50% of score)
We studied travel insurance rates for a 10-day $5,000 Holiday cruise for a couple and also a family, living in California, Florida, New York, and Texas. We gave weight to charges for the couple.
Coverage benefits (50% of score)
We obtained the following benefits, providing weight to travel medical coverage and emergency evacuation coverage, COVID-19 coverage, and cancel for any reason benefits: Emergency medical charges, cancel for any reason availability, Covid coverage, medical evacuation, luggage delay, luggage loss, missed connection, non-medical evacuation, travel delay.
Best Travel Insurance for Your Holiday Cruise
Listed below are the best travel insurance you can apply for before going on a cruise:
TravelInsurance.com
TravelInsurance.com’s mission is to help simplify the difficult world of travel insurance for consumers. They aim to provide travelers with the simplest way to compare and purchase trip insurance coverage from top-rated providers online.
Unforeseen costs are likely to befall any trip, and in some cases, these costs can be very expensive. Flights are delayed or canceled, hotels are double-booked and travelers get ill. It’s difficult to plan for everything, particularly during longer trips.
However, it is likely to protect yourself from many general costs with a protective travel insurance policy. Travel insurance includes the costs of hospitalizations, trip cancellations and dozens of other unforeseen events. A trip insurance policy can compensate for almost any cost during your trip, giving you peace of mind.
TravelInsurance.com helps you obtain a suitable travel insurance policy that meets your needs and budget. Their easy-to-use online travel insurance matching tool allows you to compare the costs and coverage levels of different policies from major insurance companies in only a few minutes. Best of all, you can purchase directly through their website and obtain your policy via email within minutes.
Their simple online form collects basic information, including age and other factors that could impact the costs of travel insurance. This information is presented to several insurance companies who return quotes for multiple types of coverage. The quotes are then presented in a simple, easy-to-browse setup to determine an appropriate policy.
In only a few minutes, you’ll be capable of viewing and comparing a variety of plans without filling out lengthy paperwork.
Comparing rates is an excellent way to stay notified while you’re buying an insurance policy. You’ll see all of the benefits available from major providers, including add-on coverages, multiple coverage limits, deductibles, and much more. And their comparison tool is, by far, the quickest way to find a reliable travel insurance policy at the right price.
They also offer other means to help you understand travel insurance before you select which policy to purchase. Their article base can be greatly helpful if you don’t understand specific contract terms or if you have questions about particular types of travel insurance coverage.
By learning how travel insurance works, you’ll be able to tailor your coverage to satisfy your needs.
Whether you’re touring for business or pleasure, the last thing you’ll require during your trip is the weight of unexpected hotel expenses, lost baggage or hefty medical bills. Their goal is to provide you with the resources that you need to bypass these costs by obtaining a suitable travel insurance policy.
Generali Global Assistance
As a member of the Assicurazioni Generali Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the world, they pride themselves on providing a straightforward approach to insuring and servicing millions of customers every year.
They are also part of The Europ Assistance (EA) Group, which established the travel assistance industry in 1963 and proceeds to be the head in providing real-time assistance anywhere in the world, carrying their motto #YouLiveWeCare.
When you’re traveling, the best support creates a world of difference. At Generali Global Assistance, they pride themselves on providing the support that is essential for happy and safe travel. Their travel protection plans are formed on the diverse requirements of today’s travelers and are composed to help you travel smarter.
Insurance coverages are supported by the Generali U.S. Branch.
They encourage you to scan through their sister companies in the Generali Group. They may be able to support you with a range of services you require, from identity theft protection to caregiver connection.
One of the most significant parts of their travel protection plans is the access you receive to their network of employees and partners 24/7. This is to provide you the most reliable travel and emergency assistance services no matter where you are in the world.
Their award-winning team is always able to help, whether you’re purchasing a plan, require concierge services, or need emergency assistance on a trip.
Squaremouth Travel Insurance
Using their comparison engine and over 87,000 customer reviews, travelers can scan, compare and buy travel insurance online. All policies acquired through Squaremouth come with our Zero Complaint Guarantee.
Founded in 2003, Squaremouth has consistently been distinguished nationally and internationally for its business growth, company culture and benefits, and customer service.
Squaremouth is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, with annexes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Their staff is emphasized as topic specialists in national publications, including The New York Times, CNN, and USA Today.
Squaremouth’s award-winning culture is established around company-wide transparency and collaboration. Everything at Squaremouth – from our office organization to employee salaries – is open. Major company settlements come down to a group vote, including company trips and booking decisions.
To highlight the value of reading policy documents from start to finish, Squaremouth granted one client $10,000 in a secret contest for being the first to read hers. Then, they gave another $10,000 to a children’s education charity and $5,000 each to two schools.
Squaremouth, a brand that puts a focus on customer service, rewards 20 excellent customer service providers in St. Petersburg, Florida with $1,000 cash tips. Then, one won an additional $10,000 as the Thank You Campaign’s grand prize winner.
AXA Assistance USA Platinum Plan
The AXA Assistance USA Platinum plan is everything the Gold is and more.
While you own all the standard comprehensive benefits you’d require, like trip cancellation, baggage protection, and trip delay, you also have discretionary add-ons. This includes Cancel for Any Reason and rental car collision assurance. But we recommend verifying with your rental car company to see if they will allow this type of insurance before purchasing it.
For athletic travelers, this plan incorporates coverage for lost golf rounds, lost skier days, and sports gear rental. Specifications about these coverages can be seen in the full plan certificate.
The AXA Assistance USA Platinum plan also includes all-natural disaster or man-made disaster coverage that provides potential reimbursement. This is ideal if your main residence or accommodations at your destination becomes uninhabitable. They also have bankruptcy coverage for the financial failure of your travel suppliers.
Like the other AXA plans, Platinum incorporates Travel Assistance Services, which cover Medical Repatriation and Political and Security Emergency Evacuation.
- AXA also adds their “White-Glove” Concierge Services that features the following:Restaurant and accommodation referrals and reservations
- Entertainment information and ticketing
- Golf course information for referrals and tee occasions
- Luxury rental information
Trawick International Safe Travels Voyager Plan
The Safe Travels Voyager is created for those who are searching for the highest available benefit limits to protect your trip. This plan has $100,000 trip cancellation coverage and a $250,000 per person limit for Primary Medical Coverage. It also covers Pre-Existing Medical Conditions on plans acquired before or with final trip payment.
Other benefits include minimum coverage of $2,000 for possible accommodations or lodging expenses and COVID-19 medical fees. It also meets the Costa Rica Travel Insurance Requirements.
The Voluntary Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) grants reimbursement for 75% of the prepaid, non-refundable, forfeited payments you spent for your trip if you cancel your trip for any cause not listed in the policy. However, you should file it with your initial policy and within 21 days of the trip deposit date. To qualify for the CFAR benefit, you must register your entire trip cost. As for CFAR trip cancellation benefits, you must cut your trip in its entirety, at least 2 days before your scheduled departure date.
This plan is only open to U.S. Citizens and U.S. Residents and can be acquired for trip costs up to $100,000. It adds $250,000 of primary Medical Coverage and a Trip Delay of $2,000 for accommodations/lodging charges.
Best Cruise Insurance FAQ
Do I require a special cruise insurance plan?
You don’t need a travel insurance plan that’s particularly for cruises. Any suitable travel insurance plan with excellent medical benefits can work well for a cruise.
Can you purchase cruise insurance after booking?
You can purchase cruise insurance after booking your trip, or even just before departure. The only downside to waiting is that you likely won’t be able to incorporate pre-existing medical conditions, and you’ll miss the option to cancel for any reason.
Purchasing right after your book also lets you secure trip cancellation coverage right away.
Can I cancel a cruise without any insurance?
You can cancel a cruise but you may have to spend a cancellation penalty for the cruise and flights. You could also lose the expense of pre-paid shore excursions. If you don’t own travel insurance for these losses, verify the credit card you used for booking. Some credit cards also include trip cancellation coverage.
Final Thoughts
Don’t go on a cruise without purchasing travel insurance. However, you should also pay attention to what’s written in the policy. Make sure that your insurance covers you adequately for medical evacuation, medical treatment onboard, and other misfortunes like missed connections, stolen luggage, delays, and cancellations.
If you don’t have enough money to pay for cruise travel insurance, then you probably can’t afford to travel. It’s just not worth the risk of coming back home with a bill worth thousands of dollars because your trip went south.
Travel insurance companies note that travel insurance plans also generally incorporate your lost deposits if a travel supplier goes out of business. You won’t obtain this in a travel insurance policy marketed by cruise lines themselves, which also normally exclude pre-existing conditions from medical coverage.
Rizvi at Nationwide Insurance suggests that you buy your plan when you book your trip. That’s because it prevents you from jeopardizing your safety while traveling.
In most traveler’s experiences, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The peace of mind is always worth the extra cost.