We’ve never looked into travel insurance before, so I don’t really know how it works. If we book the cruise through our travel agent, the flights directly with the airline, and the hotel separately, how does all of that combine into one trip for insurance?
Any advice would be appreciated!
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We’ve never looked into travel insurance before, so I don’t really know how it works. If we book the cruise through our travel agent, the flights directly with the airline, and the hotel separately, how does all of that combine into one trip for insurance?
Any advice would be appreciated!
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Your travel agent should be able to help find a plan that covers everything, but honestly, third-party options are often better. Insurance through the cruise line usually only covers what you book with them, and airlines are probably similar, though I haven’t looked into that much myself.
Travel insurance typically has a few main parts: 1) Emergency Medical, 2) Trip Cancellations/Interruptions, 3) Baggage Delays/Lost, and 4) Cancel for Any Reason (this one’s the most expensive).
@Charlie
Good breakdown! I’d just add that you should always make sure emergency medical includes evacuation and repatriation. We always have an annual policy with those covered. Haven’t needed it yet, but I’ve read that evacuation costs can go over $20,000 easily.
@Charlie
Thanks for the tips! I’m mostly worried about flight delays and cancellations. We’re flying in the day before the cruise, but it’s a late flight, so I’m nervous about delays making us miss the boat.
@Ari
If delays cause you to miss the cruise, here’s what might help:
You could also check InsureMyTrip or a trusted insurance agent to find a plan that suits your needs. Personally, I stick with annual emergency medical coverage—it’s $133 CAD/year for $10M coverage, including evacuation and pre-existing conditions. The peace of mind is worth it, especially after hearing stories of huge medical bills abroad.
Check out InsureMyTrip for travel insurance. I never go through the cruise line or airline for it.
Just get one comprehensive policy that covers everything. Your travel agent should be able to get a quote. If you buy separate policies, there could be gaps in coverage, and the cruise line’s insurance isn’t great.
Add up all your nonrefundable expenses when buying insurance, and try to purchase it within two weeks of your first deposit. Many third-party insurers waive pre-existing condition exclusions if you buy early, but cruise line or credit card insurance usually doesn’t offer that waiver.
@Paxton
Good point. I mainly want to cover the cruise itself since it’s a few thousand dollars. Flights were booked with miles, and the one-night hotel stay isn’t a big deal. I’ll ask my travel agent about insurance once we finalize the cruise payment.
@Ari
Just a heads-up: To get the pre-existing condition waiver, you might need to insure the full trip cost, excluding things like airline miles. The price difference for covering a bit more usually isn’t huge, maybe $20 extra for an additional $1,000 in coverage. And remember, pre-existing conditions could include things like a relative’s health affecting your trip plans, not just your own.
Give all the trip details and costs to your travel agent, and they’ll get you a quote for full coverage.
Most credit cards have solid travel insurance if you book everything with the card. Otherwise, look online for options. Make sure to check what your health insurance covers when traveling abroad.
Here’s my take on travel insurance:
Medical coverage was the original reason for travel insurance, and it’s still heavily regulated and reliable.
First, check if your private health insurance covers you abroad. In some places, medical care can be very affordable. For evacuation coverage, I rely on my AMEX Platinum, which offers great service.
Cancel-for-any-reason policies can be tricky. They’re marketed as comprehensive, but you need to read the contract carefully. Many cheaper policies have loopholes, like only covering specific family members or excluding chronic conditions. True comprehensive plans are expensive but might be worth it if you want solid coverage.
Annual plans can save money but usually offer lower benefits. Everyone’s risk tolerance is different. For us, we focus on medical and evacuation coverage and skip the rest, which has saved us thousands over the years.