iamtrustworthy

20 hours ago, ThisName said:

I purchased cabins for our immediate family members as well as for ourselves as a family “Christmas” trip. I developed a documented medical condition and I am unable to go on the cruise (doctor recommendation). I also purchased separate trip insurance for each family member’s cabin. Can the trip cancellation clause be used on each cabin to cancel the cruise for all of us as we are all family and traveling together for the Holiday?

Hi ThisName,

Contact whoever you bought your policies from for their advice. And make sure they help you with your claim.

Steve Dasseos

On 11/16/2023 at 5:38 AM, Smitheroo said:

My question is, if I book say 6 cruises through 2025 I need to purchase travel insurance for each one within 16-20 days of booking each one ( In order to waive the pre-existing condition clause) and for most insurance plans it is nonrefundable after 10 days.  Some people might have a problem risking that amount of money since even though the cruise may still be refundable the cost for insurance isnt (unless its geoblue) after the 10 day free look period. I guess those people have to book fewer cruises that far in the future and also not mind risking losing the money.   This is all becauses of the pre-existing clause and trying to waive it.  Maybe anyone who is able to book multiple cruises at a time doesnt have a problem losing money on the insurance should they have to cancel the cruises

Hi Smitheroo,

I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing your question.

> My question is, if I book say 6 cruises through 2025 I need to purchase travel insurance for each one within 16-20 days of booking each one ( In order to waive the pre-existing condition clause) and for most insurance plans it is nonrefundable after 10 days. 

I have one, though: Are these back to back cruises without returning home?

Steve Dasseos

9 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

I have done a lot of reading to avoid asking repetitive questions.  I am still baffled.

 

If your trip is straight forward like "I am going on a cruise on 3/24 for 7 days" I have no problem understanding that the cruise would end 7 days later, 3/31.

 

But what about the following scenario:   You're still going on this cruise on 3/24.  But you've decided to leave 4 days early and go to NYC where you will book a hotel for a couple of nights, then take a plane to your port of embarkation, get on the cruise. 7 days later you disembark and continue your vacation sightseeing in NYC again. More hotels. (let's assume they are nonrefundable)  More nonrefundable expenses

 

In this second scenario would the first day of your trip be 3/20?  And  would expenses that came from  the cruise being delayed  fall under "trip delay?"   Or if you became ill in the 4 days before  embarking would that be trip cancellation?  

 

I'm confused about the "starting day" of a trip and what the cruise is categorized as since its in the middle of your trip?

Hi Smitheroo,

I wrote about this in my Blog on October 7, 2023:

What Are the Right Travel Dates to Insure?

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/what-are-the-right-travel-dates-to-insure/

Steve Dasseos

8 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

I had studied GeoBlue's website and since it is basically medical coverage (no trip cancellation)  I was under the impression that a refund was possible at any point as long as you hadnt started on the trip or made any claims.

 

Looking at the TripInsuranceStore.com website the chart states that Geo Blue has a 10 day guaranteed refund.

 

So now I'm confused.

Hi Smitheroo,

Thanks for bringing this up. Geo Blue changed this and I hadn't updated all the pages of my  TripInsuranceStore.com website with the correct wording.

Here's what Geo Blue's wording says:

"Cancellation of this Policy: Any date prior to Your Effective Date of Coverage, You may request a full refund of premium from Geo Blue."

Steve Dasseos

9 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

yes, so there is my answer.  This opens up more questions.   Many people, including myself, need to be able to waive the pre-existing condition clause. And to do that you must purchase insurance within the "sensitive time period", usually within about 2 weeks after booking.  This is fine if your booking isnt way in the future.  Someone pointed out to me on another forum that he doesnt buy "nonrefundable " insurance. That got me thinking.  At first I was looking at Geoblue for medical coverage and that is refundable at any point. It seems once trip cancellation is incuded there is a limit on refundability (called the free look period, usually about 10 days)  I understand why but it does complicate things.

 

It seems to me that if I book a cruise on say Jan 1 2024 sailing in 2025 and  I want pre-existing condition coverage then I need to buy insurance within the first 2 weeks after booking my cruise.  If it is mostly medical, like GeoBlue, its refundable but I still have to purchase it within 2 weeks to get the pre-existing condition waiver.   With the other type of insurance I also have to purchase it within a short period of time after booking and I get a short free look period but after that its a done deal, even if I cancel my cruise.   Even if I dont care about including a pre-existing condition clause waiver now, it could be a very different story for a cruise 2 years from now. 

 

So if you go cruise crazy and start booking cruises far in the future using CruiseNext and CruiseFIrst certificates (on NCL) you need to shell out money to pay for the insurance and in the case of trip cancellation you can only get a refund in a short period of time. (so you should be sure about your future bookins or else not worry about losing the money you paid for  nonrefundable insurance)  For the other type, like GeoBlue, your money is tied up for awhile.  If you cancel closer to the cruise you will eventually get this type of insurance cost back.

 

I have searched dozens of websites and found no mention of a question like this.  Anyone I've asked in person doesnt really have an answer.  Or I might get an answer like "I think you are overthinking it"  Am I?  I think the solution is that you have to not worry about money you wasted on nonrefundable insurance if Insurance was something you couldnt do without if your cruise didnt happen.

Hi Smitheroo,

> I have searched dozens of websites and found no mention of a question like this.  Anyone I've asked in person doesnt really have an answer.  Or I might get an answer like "I think you are overthinking it"  Am I?  I think the solution is that you have to not worry about money you wasted on nonrefundable insurance if Insurance was something you couldn't do without if your cruise didn't happen.

I will give you the direct and correct answer. What is your specific question?

Steve Dasseos

On 11/1/2023 at 11:06 PM, GeezerCouple said:

 

What about policies with minimal medical coverage such that the cost for that is also minimal.

Do those exist?

 

Thanks.

GC

Hi GC,

Yes, there are plans that have low medical limits. Some don't cover pre-existing conditions.

Steve

On 11/2/2023 at 7:37 AM, Smitheroo said:

I didnt see a GeoBlue  multitrip plan offering 500,000/250,000.  Probably because of my age, over 70. 

Hi Smitheroo,

The Geo Blue Trekker (their mutli-trip plan) covers a maximum of $100,000 medical for anyone age 70 and older.

Steve Dasseos

On 11/2/2023 at 8:49 AM, Smitheroo said:

Is a CruiseFIRST certificate considered to be a "first payment" for a cruise?  It seems to take the place of a deposit.   I notice on my reservation the "total price" of the cruise is not what I will end up paying as the CruiseFIRST certificate doesnt seem to applied at that point. (the amount due is lower, by the amount of the CruiseFIrst certificate)   I'm asking this for travel insurance purposes

Hi Smitheroo,

Does using a "CruiseFIRST Certificate" give you a confirmed booking?

Steve Dasseos

You might find this Blog post I wrote on August 20, 2023 helpful

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/is-it-worth-paying-more-to-have-500000-medical-coverage/

Steve Dasseos

On 10/31/2023 at 5:04 PM, Smitheroo said:

Is it possible to buy just trip cancellation/interruption insurance without medical? I really like GeoBlue which is a medical only policy. As someone on Medicare with several pre-existing conditions it seems like a good deal. The Norwegian Cruise LIne Mastercard does not have this feature. (trip cancellation insurance0  My chase card does.  I'm trying to figure out if I should charge trip related expenses on my Chase card  and forego the points on my NCL card.  

 

 

Hi Smitheroo,

There are aren't any trip cancellation/interruption insurance plans without medical.

Steve Dasseos

On 10/29/2023 at 1:31 PM, Nhsaltshaker said:

My nephew wants to go with us on a family cruise.  He is active in the US military.  I'm having a difficult time trying to find an insurance plan for him if he has to cancel because of his duties.

 

Does anyone know of a plan/company that covers that?

Hi Nhsaltshaker,

What State(s) do you all live in?

Steve Dasseos

9 hours ago, NiceAunt said:

Hello!  Has anyone with travel insurance had to file a claim when they could not travel due to a non-travelling family member became seriously ill prior to departure?   Our daughter's father-in-law was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and may be under hospice care (at home) prior to our family cruise.    Our dauther and SIL are on this cruise with the rest of our family.  They (daughter and SIL) have not yet purchased travel insurance.   I called a few companies... Allianz, Costco, and both said a cancellation for a non-travelling family member would be covered for a "life threatening situation" or "hospitilization".  I asked both agents if "hospice care at home" would be considered life threatening and was told yes, but I admit I am skeptical.   The cost of the insurance is only a few hundred bucks, and would be worth if it in fact works.    It's a risk I know.  The agents on the phone say it would be covered, but then we could try to file a claim and it is not covered. 

 

The other option is to do nothing and let our daughter and SIL cancel out prior to sailing if they have to and then move another one of our party into their assigned cabin (getting all details squared away with the cruise line ahead of time of course).    We have two elderly adults travelling with us who are currently "rooming together" and we could just absorb the cost of our daughter and SIL's cabin and move one of the elderly into their cabin so they have a private cabin.  The single supplment is 150%.   So basically same amount of $$ spent and the elderly adults get private cabins.  

 

Thoughts, anyone?   Thank you!!! 

 

 

Hi NiceAunt,

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's father-in-law.

May I get this information from you?

- What are their travel dates from and back to home?

- When did / will they pay the deposit on the trip?

- When is the Final Payment due prior to leaving home?

- What State do they live in?

Steve Dasseos

Hi GeezerCouple,

Sorry about the delay responding. We have customers in Israel & many with now-cancelled trips so I've been extra busy.

> Does the so-called "simple" declaration immediately void any travel insurance claim coverage?

I can't speak for all companies, but mine consider this Terrorism. Hamas committed Terrorism. It wasn’t until hours later that Israel declared War. Here's more info:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-terrorist-incident-coverages/

In addition, as of Oct 9, 2023 some of my companies won’t cover trips to Israel for new purchases.

Steve Dasseos

On 9/14/2023 at 2:32 PM, babydrum said:

I have non-refundable costs of $25 pp for the airline mileage ticket, but the rest is refundable so I guess I'm out of luck.  The cruise dates would be the same but would my airline dates change the travel dates if I left a day earlier or returned a day later?  Is there any insurance that I could buy that would cover pre-existing conditions since I haven't made final payment?  I'm not worried about any pre-existing conditions in particular but I've read from other people that they will count things that you weren't even aware of.  If not, I may just cancel my trip.  It'll only cost me $50 in cancellation fees and I'll save over $25,000 out of pocket if something happens that prevents me from going.

Hi babydrum,

I have four plans that cover pre-existing conditions if bought by final payment. You may send me your trip details on this form:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-email-contact-form/

Steve Dasseos

3 minutes ago, babydrum said:

I am becoming increasingly worried about all of the COVID stuff and that those policies will be enforced before my cruise which leaves on May 14, 2024.  I paid the deposit in June so I'm told that it is too late to get CFAR or any pre-existing condition insurance.  If that is the case, do I have to cancel my trip and rebook it, risking losing all of the incentives that I received as a result of booking it when I did, in order to get CFAR and pre-existing medical insurance?  I've also heard about insurance policies where you insure the deposit only and increase it before final payment.  I'm three months away from final payment and trying to figure out the best way forward to insure my trip as this is a very expensive cruise.  

Hi babydrum,

On May 4, 2009 I wrote this Blog that you might find to be helpful:

Does Rebooking My Cruise Reset My Initial Deposit Date?

https://tripinsurancestore.com/blog/does-rebooking-my-cruise-reset-my-initial-deposit-date/

You will see this in the post:
"The only way it’s treated as a new trip with a new deposit date is if you can show documentation that the following is true:

• You completely cancelled the first cruise along with all other travel arrangements and
• You received 100% of your money back from all your travel arrangements as either a credit card credit or in the form of a check made payable to you and
• Your new trip has different travel dates than the trip you cancelled."

Steve Dasseos

On 9/11/2023 at 4:48 PM, blackfly said:

Is it possible to purchase insurance to cover a non-refundable deposit.  The cost difference in a cruise fare with a non-refundable deposit vs a refundable deposit is significant.  Deposits for a 7 day cruise are around $500 and go north quickly as the length of the cruise increases.  If I were 20 years younger I probably would take the gamble on a non-refundable deposit.   Not so much now.  If I could purchase coverage on a $500 deposit for $100 I would do so.  Is there such a thing.

Hi Blackfly,

I can't answer for all plans, but for all our plans, when your trip is farther in the future and you are paying it in stages, an option to consider is this:

You would not have to pay for the insurance in full immediately upon purchase in order to get the pre-existing conditions and Cancel For Any Reason coverage. All our plans allow "pay as you go" which means you insure your deposit now and as you prepay more trip costs, you must increase the insurance coverage any time (as long as nothing has happened where you would file a claim) before but not later than 14 days of adding any additional trip costs above what has been insured to keep the pre-existing conditions coverage. This does not result in any extra costs, just the incremental price increases. You have to insure the deposits even if they are refundable. The prices are locked in at your ages and the rates that were in effect when you bought it.

Steve Dasseos

1 hour ago, JoAnneNYI said:

Local (NYS) senior citizen center sponsoring a cruise for March 2024.  Checks for a 500 deposit retained until had enough travelers sign up. By August 30 had enough interest to go ahead with the cruise using our checks which were deposited in the senior citizen account.  I had mailed my check in June showing cashed in August.  They are now collecting checks for final payment amount and the cruise will be purchased end of September. The are telling I qualify for the waiver as no funds have been given until final payment. I called the insurance company they are using and they claim June would count as my first payment...not when cashed....even though cruise tour not a given as yet.

I have a few days left  to qualify for a waiver if  date they cashed the 500 dollar deposit counts.  Check had been made out  to The Senior Center Trips/Tours. Hope this is clear lol

 

What do you think?  Thanks, JoAnne

Hi JoAnne,

I'm sorry the senior citizen center gave you the wrong information.

The 1st payment is the date you wrote the check whether or not it was cashed.

That date won't matter if you don't need the pre-existing medical conditions coverage. You may learn more about the Pre-Existing Medical Conditions coverage here:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/how-travel-insurance-pre-existing-medical-conditions-coverage-works/

I know four plans you may buy as a NY resident that cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions if purchased by your Final Payment date.

Steve Dasseos

13 hours ago, AbsolutSki said:

If I understand correctly, trip insurance must be purchased within a number of days (usually 14) from first deposit to get the pre-existing conditions waiver.  I put down a refundable deposit of $200 for a cruise that is $10,000 when final payment is due in a few months.  I can cancel the cruise and get my deposit of $200 back before the final payment date.

 

What is the amount of the trip cost I should enter for the trip insurance?  Do I enter $200 (the deposit), then add the other $9,800 when final payment is made?  Or do I  enter the full $10,000, but then what happens if I end up canceling and get my $200 deposit back?  

Hi AbsolutSki,

What State do you live in?

Steve Dasseos

Hi johnnylikely,

I'm sorry, but I'm not qualified to give advice on non-USA insurance plans.

Steve Dasseos

On 9/7/2023 at 7:21 AM, rbslos18 said:

Would the following situation be covered?
 

During a cruise, a new cruise is booked and the deposit paid to the cruise line. The booking is then transferred to a travel agent. Insurance is purchased immediately.
 

After final payment the cruise company goes bankrupt. Would the travel insurance cover the lost funds?

Hi rbslos,

It's not a simple answer. It depenids on a plan's definition of Supplier Frinancial Default, if it has a "Time Sensitive" purchase deadline and its waiting period.

Some plans require the travel supplier to cease operation, some only require filing a bankruptcy petition, some plans won't pay if the supplier offers travel credits (i.e. - Vantage Travel's new owner).

Do you have a specific example?

Steve Dasseos

On 9/7/2023 at 10:53 AM, dougp1122 said:

I am primarily interested in a plan that provides trip cancelation coverage. I typically buy medical coverage from GeoBlue when I travel internationally. Does such a plan exist. My next cruise is in June 24. I pay the full amount next February. Up to that pint I can cancel for $100/person. 

Hi dougp1122,

> I am primarily interested in a plan that provides trip cancelation coverage. Does such a plan exist?

Yes, there are a lot of trip cancelation plans.

Steve Dasseos

On 5/31/2023 at 9:24 AM, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

For preexisting conditions to be covered, you have to purchase the insurance within a certain number of days of booking the cruise.  The number of days depends upon the insurance company. I've seen as little as 7 and as many as 21 days. 

 

I found really good rates with extensive coverage with:

travelinsured.com (they partner with my credit union)

covermore.com (they partner with our TA)

 

Hi PrincessArlena'sDad,

Make sure your credit union will advocate for and help you if you have claim since they earned a commission on the sale of your policy.

Steve Dasseos

18 hours ago, rbslos18 said:

Some cruise ,lines give a discount for an ACH payments eg Viking. If the cruise is purchased from a travel company, would IMG insurance cover the cancellation if a travel agent is the middle man?

Hi rbslos18,

If you have prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, those trip costs can be insured whether or not you are using a travel agent.

Steve Dasseos

9 hours ago, Mary229 said:

@iamtrustworthy  This often discussed topic needs an expert's opinion.  If I carry an annual travel policy will they reimburse to a cruise line gift card?  Thank you.  

 

 

Hi Mary229,

I don't know. I haven't found an Annual Trip Cancellation plan that is good enough for me to sell due to their plan limitations with what's needed to cover the changes in travel since Covid started.

Steve Dasseos

5 hours ago, Nancy&Frank said:

@rbslos18 I have been using Steve for years.  He is undoubtedly the best in the business.  So glad you will be able to recoup some of your $$$.

Hi Nancy & Frank,

Thank you for your kind words.

Steve Dasseos