Travel insurance for cruises is something you need to prepare before you leave home. However, it is always good to know what is actually covered. Cruise insurance can be tricky. What is covered and what is not can be ambiguous quite often.
It is always wise to make sure the insurance coverage. If you find an uncertain policy, call the insurance company to resolve any questions you may have.
In this article, you will find some of the issues people may generally do not know. Let’s quickly check out some points you need to know before you purchase travel insurance for cruises. Please also find one of the most important policies in cruise insurance at my article 11 Questions for Travel Insurance for Cruises.
Do Your Medical Emergencies Cover All Shore Excursions?
Some cruise lines offer unique activities for shore excursions such as bungee jumping, windsurfing, rock climbing, scuba diving or skydiving. These high-risk activities are highly unlikely included in the travel insurance coverage. You might think that lower-risk activities such as kayaking, riding on a hot air balloon would be covered. It is always wise to find out what is covered in your insurance.
Check out the policy detail for a shore excursion and find out whether the policy excludes particular activities you are going to participate. According to Allianz on Cruise Excursion, “travel insurance does not provide coverage for any loss that results directly or indirectly from participating in extreme, high-risk sports and activities” (source). This policy also refers to ‘rafting, kayaking and canoeing’.
On Onboard Adventure Activities
The high-risk activities are not only offered an option at shore excursions. Modern cruise ships include multiple entertainment facilities including rock climbing, zip riding and a surfing simulator. Onboard adventure activities are designed to be safe for the cruisers. However, it should be noted some of the activities are not covered by the insurance policy. Some insurance policies exclude high-risk activities. If you are interested in such activities at shore excursions as well as onboard, you can take a look at a travel insurance policy with hazardous sports coverage.
Assuming Your Pre Cruise Vacation Covered
Many cruisers plan to arrive at the departure port a few days earlier and enjoy the city before the cruise. They may assume their pre-cruise vacation is covered. Or they may assume that they only need to cover insurance during a cruise.
Travel insurance is covered once you leave home, a door to the door of your home. It is not allowed to cover only the cruise. You need to enter the exact day you leave home. If you change your plan, call the insurance company and let them know the change.
Cancelled a Cruise. Now can You Cancel Cruise Insurance ?
Once you purchased insurance, but you had to cancel your cruise for illness, injury or work, the cruise lines cannot reimburse you not only the cruise ticket but also the insurance you purchased.
I’ve found that many cruisers are actually talking about this concern at forums. Insurance works in such a way and will not reimburse you when you cancel a cruise.
Weather
If a hurricane hits, and that impacted upon your trip. There was a flight delay, such trip interruption will be covered. However, if it is raining all day or throughout your cruise at the Bahamas or Caribbean, you cannot claim. Weather cannot be issued.
Itinerary Changes
It happens that cruise ship changes itinerary for mainly unwelcomed weather. The insurance company does not cover the itinerary change.
Drinking Alcohol and Injured
Travel insurance does cover and your medical emergencies are fully covered but if you are intoxicated with excessive alcohol, it is not covered. The insurance company will not or cannot know that you were drinking but you need to keep a medical document to provide. If there is documentation indicating drinking and intoxication, they may decline your claim.
Intoxication is never covered including a drug. Although bringing any drug to the ship is prohibited.
Do not Wait to Purchase Insurance till a Hurricane Approaches
One thing you need to keep in mind is that travel insurance only covers unexpected situations. Unpredictability is the key to travel insurance.
You are not able to purchase cruise insurance once you can predict or things go wrong. For example, once a hurricane is announced and is heading to a port or a destination you are heading to, you cannot claim and will not be reimbursed.
Travel Insurance Resources
Trip Insurance Companies
- Allianz Global Assistance: www.allianztravelinsurance.com; (866) 884-3556
- CSA Travel Protection: www.csatravelprotection.com; (800) 348-9505
- HTH Travel Insurance: www.hthtravelinsurance.com; (888) 243-2358
- Travelex Insurance Services: www.travelexinsurance.com; (800) 228-9792
- AIG Travel Guard: www.travelguard.com; (800) 826-4919
- TravelSafe Insurance: www.travelsafe.com; (888) 885-7233
Travel Insurance Comparison Sites
- Insure My Trip: www.insuremytrip.com; (800) 487-4722
- QuoteWright: www.quotewright.com; (800) 821-4940
- SquareMonth: www.squaremouth.com; (800) 240-0369
You may be interested in reading more articles on cruise insurance:
Next Reading >> What Travel Insurance for Cruises does and doesn’t Cover
>> 11 Questions for Travel Insurance for Cruises.
>> Cruise Travel Insurance
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