Trip Insurance Deadlines

[lexingtonave]

Two years ago I had to cancel a cruise before final payment. I did receive a refund, no problems. But, there is no refund for trip insurance. So, if I book a cruise for next year, when would I have to purchase trip insurance. Can I wait until it is closer to final payment, or does it have to be done much earlier.

[Clarea]

Two years ago I had to cancel a cruise before final payment. I did receive a refund, no problems. But, there is no refund for trip insurance. So, if I book a cruise for next year, when would I have to purchase trip insurance. Can I wait until it is closer to final payment, or does it have to be done much earlier.

The answer is "it depends".

 

Will you be purchasing non-refundable airfare that you want to include in the insurance? If so, then you would need the insurance to cover that.

 

Do you have an exisiting medical condition that could prevent you from taking the cruise? Many policies exclude problems from exisiting medical conditions if the insurance is not in force close to when the initial deposit is made.

Edited May 13, 2014 by clarea

[galavant3]

Depends on the policy but yes, you can purchase insurance at final payment time.

 

Typically, the pre-existing exclusion is waived when you purchase at deposit (or within a specified time period after).

 

If you do have a pre-existing exclusion, be sure to read it carefully. Sometimes the exclusion applies to family members that aren't traveling.

[lexingtonave]

Thanks for the replies. No, neither my husband or I have a pre-existing condition. Also, I will not be booking airfare until a much later date. So, if I understand correctly, I can purchase trip insurance shortly before final payment is due.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the replies. No, neither my husband or I have a pre-existing condition. Also, I will not be booking airfare until a much later date. So, if I understand correctly, I can purchase trip insurance shortly before final payment is due.

Correct.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks for the replies. No, neither my husband or I have a pre-existing condition. Also, I will not be booking airfare until a much later date. So, if I understand correctly, I can purchase trip insurance shortly before final payment is due.

 

You can buy trip insurance up until the time you are ready to walk out your front door for your trip.

 

Like others have said it won't cover pre existing health problems or any other known event such as a forecasted snowstorm, etc.

 

Bill

[galavant3]

Thanks for the replies. No, neither my husband or I have a pre-existing condition. Also, I will not be booking airfare until a much later date. So, if I understand correctly, I can purchase trip insurance shortly before final payment is due.

 

Keep in mind that the pre existing exclusion could apply to non-traveling family members like parents and grandparents. In other words, if you have to cancel because a parent becomes ill, it might not be covered if their condition was pre existing.

 

Check your wording.

[Ken076]

You can purchase Cruiseline Insurance up to Final Payment; there are words in the RCI policy that suggest they "may" sell it to you after that date.

The Cruiseline policy does not include "waiver of pre-existing conditions".

 

Third Party Policies can be purchased pretty much up to day/week of sailaway, but of course will not be active until that time. Most 3rd party Policies require that you purchase w/in 14-21 days of booking in order to get "waiver of pre-existing conditions" or to be able to purchase optional, added cost "cancel for any reason" (CSA and one or two others allow you these benefits when purchased up to Final Payment).

 

One value of "waiver of pre-existing conditions" is that it eliminates the delay and added paperwork for the insurer to try to prove your condition as pre-existing so as to not have to payout. Note galavant3's comments above.

 

ken

Edited May 13, 2014 by Ken076