Princess Cruise Insurance

[algriff]

Just a quick question..what do you folks think of Princess Cruise Insurance versus others. There seems to be a wide range of costs for insurance for a 7 day cruise, so didn't know whether some were better than others. Let me know your thoughts or experiences. Thank You

[Colo Cruiser]

Just a quick question..what do you folks think of Princess Cruise Insurance versus others. There seems to be a wide range of costs for insurance for a 7 day cruise, so didn't know whether some were better than others. Let me know your thoughts or experiences. Thank You

 

 

 

We use it because of the free upgrade from regular to Platinum, and the cancel for any reason. :)

Other then Medjet Assist (Medical/Transportation coverage) we have nit used any other additional insurance,

[eandj]

You really need to look for a policy that fits YOUR needs. What we look for... at our age , our personal medical insurance coverage, our existing medical conditions, family left at home, even the particular itinerary etc. could very well be different than you.

 

Go to tripinsurancestore.com for info that will help you buy what you need. The cruise line plan may or may not fit your bill.;) In 20 years we have never used a cruise line's generic offering. Many do. Just do your research. A poor coverage isn't better than no insurance when you really need it.

[Cuizer2]

Go to ...

 

http://www.insuremytrip.com/

 

and you can compare several policies, the coverages the policies provide and the cost.

 

I would not recommend getting the insurance from the cruise provider.

[Colo Cruiser]

Go to ...

 

http://www.insuremytrip.com/

 

and you can compare several policies, the coverages the policies provide and the cost.

 

I would not recommend getting the insurance from the cruise provider.

 

 

Why?

[graphicgal]

It's also a good idea to check with your credit card company to see what they offer. In some cases, the coverage may be identical, and a no extra cost.

[Treven]

We use it because of the free upgrade from regular to Platinum, and the cancel for any reason. :)

Other then Medjet Assist (Medical/Transportation coverage) we have nit used any other additional insurance,

I do this as well. I also get a temp policy with MedJet Assist.

[tgwabd]

I do this as well. I also get a temp policy with MedJet Assist.

Same here, when you start pricing out the other policies you find that it is a very good deal.

[Coral]

Why?

 

I don't buy it from Princess as the coverage is lousy. Not sure why the other person doesn't recommend it. My health insurance doesn't cover me out of the country and $20,000 medical coverage is minimal if I get really sick.

 

Now if I was in Alaska, I may consider it but not anywhere else. Plus, I can insure my airfare through a 3rd party also.

[eandj]

I don't buy it from Princess as the coverage is lousy. Not sure why the other person doesn't recommend it. My health insurance doesn't cover me out of the country and $20,000 medical coverage is minimal if I get really sick.

 

Now if I was in Alaska, I may consider it but not anywhere else. Plus, I can insure my airfare through a 3rd party also.

 

This is why we purchase our policies after researching. And definitely it can change dependent on the itinerary. We prefer certain coverage when traveling in certain areas. ie...being flown to the "closest" hospital won't make it for us in some areas of the world. We will look for more direct transfer to the hospital we want. Too, evacuation coverages often aren't even close to what it would cost in some areas. Then we always look at primary or secondary and dollar amount for medical coverage.

Lost bags, delays, planners etc are not important to us in the big picture. neither is any reason cancellation. We book the trip and would cancel only in an "emergency" that is covered.

 

It's all what we need, not what comes with a generic package.

[Coral]

This is why we purchase our policies after researching. And definitely it can change dependent on the itinerary. We prefer certain coverage when traveling in certain areas. ie...being flown to the "closest" hospital won't make it for us in some areas of the world. We will look for more direct transfer to the hospital we want. Too, evacuation coverages often aren't even close to what it would cost in some areas. Then we always look at primary or secondary and dollar amount for medical coverage.

Lost bags, delays, planners etc are not important to us in the big picture. neither is any reason cancellation. We book the trip and would cancel only in an "emergency" that is covered.

 

It's all what we need, not what comes with a generic package.

 

Yes - I don't look for the cheapest insurance (as others noted), I look for insurance that would cover me wherever I am at. Alaska is different than Russia. I just know $20K in medical doesn't go far and I want something better for evacuation (plus MedJet which I do buy periodically depending on where I am traveling).

Edited July 14, 2015 by Coral

[kjg46]

Keep in mind that Princess insurance is secondary coverage as well as many other companies.. You will need to file with you own insurance first. What your own insurance does not pay, you then have to file again with Princess or other seconday coverage. One of the few companies on http://www.insuremytrip web site (Travelex) is primary. We used them once and were pleased with the claim process. The up front cost you pay for secondary coverage may not provide you with the value you expected.

[Cuizer2]

Why?

 

Because if the cruise line goes under (not currently likely with Princess, but there is a long list of former cruise lines) then your insurance might also be worthless. Separating the two separates the risk. Also, insurance companies are subject to reserve funds and pay into an insurance fund. Cruise lines are not subject to reserve funds rules nor are they covered by any state guarantee funds.

[Colo Cruiser]

Because if the cruise line goes under (not currently likely with Princess, but there is a long list of former cruise lines) then your insurance might also be worthless. Separating the two separates the risk. Also, insurance companies are subject to reserve funds and pay into an insurance fund. Cruise lines are not subject to reserve funds rules nor are they covered by any state guarantee funds.

 

Its administered by Berkley Care (not owned by Princess) so that's not possible.

That's why they call it insurance. You can what if until the end of the earth......

 

The Berkely Group is the leading provider of insurance benefits and services exclusively to the travel industry. Our primary products include Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions Insurance and Customized Travel Protection Programs administered through our BerkelyCare division.

 

Our company was the first to introduce trip cancellation coverage to travelers in the United States, in 1964. At that time, only local retail agents distributed travel insurance to passengers. In 1983, we discovered a new distribution method while designing and implementing the first customized plan sponsored by a tour operator. They were the first of our now over 50 tour operator partners and remain a client/partner to this day.

 

Since that time, BerkelyCare has evolved as a specialist in providing custom-designed, private-label plans to tour operators, cruise lines and online travel companies. In 1987, we began administering a plan for our first cruise line partner. More recently we have evolved our expertise in the online space, which we leverage among clients such as Travelocity and Expedia. This expertise is also leveraged across all clients with an online booking engine and/or web presence. These alliances have proven important as they have lead the way to Berkely becoming the travel insurance industry leader in the tour operator, cruise line and Internet travel markets. A partial list of Berkely's clients is available by request.

 

In 1995, The Berkely Group was acquired by Aon Corporation (NYSE: AOC, http://www.aon.com), a premier, worldwide provider of insurance brokerage and consulting services and consumer insurance underwriting with over 40,000 employees in 120 countries throughout the world. Backed by the strength and scope of Aon's insurer relationships, Berkely's own leverage is further enhanced to ensure that we can negotiate the most attractive travel insurance terms in the marketplace on behalf of our clients. No other travel insurance administrator can offer the depth, stability and in-depth knowledge of this specialized market.

 

We have learned the business from the ground up, as it evolved over the past 40 years. Today, our travel protection plans are offered to over 10 million travelers annually, making BerkelyCare the undisputed market leader in North America. We define the very best in customer service and plan design, consistently entering uncharted territory in our pursuit of new opportunities to increase your revenue and customer satisfaction. Berkely remains structured to provide the personalized programs that have proven to be the cornerstone of our existence throughout our many years of service.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I do this as well. I also get a temp policy with MedJet Assist.

 

Same here. Many don't realize that even "good" medical policies generally don't cover repatriation--just evac to the nearest capable facility. Also be aware that Princess insurance medical limits are on the low side, so I "triple up" with an additional high-limit medical policy from Travel Guard or similar if venturing far from home. I do the Princess policy alone if sailing on a coastal close to home, primarily for the cancel-for-any-reason feature.

 

Be aware, if you didn't know, that Medicare (and many other policies) DO NOT cover shipboard and out-of-country medical expenses.

Edited July 14, 2015 by SoCal Cruiser78

[2pbears]

I have been doing considerable research on international medical insurance since we are new to Medicare and I understand Medicare will not cover us outside the US and our Medicare Supplement is limited to $20,000 in medical coverage (not very much). I have checked Insure My Trip and Travel Guard and they don't appear to offer stand alone medical insurance, just travel expense policies that include a medical payment and the medical limits are not as high as we would like. Has anyone had any experience with international medical insurance only? I have found a couple that appear to be good (Atlas International and IMG) but would like to hear from someone who has direct experience.

Edited July 14, 2015 by 2pbears

[dickinson]

I have been doing considerable research on international medical insurance since we are new to Medicare and I understand Medicare will not cover us outside the US and our Medicare Supplement is limited to $20,000 in medical coverage (not very much). I have checked Insure My Trip and Travel Guard and they don't appear to offer stand alone medical insurance, just travel expense policies that include a medical payment and the medical limits are not as high as we would like. Has anyone had any experience with international medical insurance only? I have found a couple that appear to be good (Atlas International and IMG) but would like to hear from someone who has direct experience.

 

Call the trip insurance store and speak with the people there. Yes, you can buy a medical policy that does not cover trip insurance. The price is actually low probably because they pay out more on the trip cancellation and delay part. We did this with our recent b2b cruise that lasted almost a month. I think we paid $90 to cover two of us for medical because we had Princess Platinum insurance and thought their medical was too low.

[Happy2cruise]

You really need to look for a policy that fits YOUR needs. What we look for... at our age , our personal medical insurance coverage, our existing medical conditions, family left at home, even the particular itinerary etc. could very well be different than you.

 

Go to tripinsurancestore.com for info that will help you buy what you need. The cruise line plan may or may not fit your bill.;) In 20 years we have never used a cruise line's generic offering. Many do. Just do your research. A poor coverage isn't better than no insurance when you really need it.

Totally agree. We always purchase our insurance thru tripinsurancestore.com. Steven and his associates are a wealth of knowledge and will work with you to get the coverage you need for your situation.

[karena1]

We use it because of the free upgrade from regular to Platinum, and the cancel for any reason. :)

Other then Medjet Assist (Medical/Transportation coverage) we have nit used any other additional insurance,

 

same here, we get the upgrade also.

 

If we do a land vacation, then I use an outside provider.

 

But for cruising, I have found the ship insurance to be cheaper and it works. I fell pre-cruise last year on Celebrity and they paid 100% of my emergency room charges in San Juan and also the fee to take out the stitches while we were on the ship. First time we ever needed to USE the insurance and they came through with flying colors. So I have nothing but good things to say about the ship insurance based on my personal experience.

[2pbears]

Call the trip insurance store and speak with the people there. Yes, you can buy a medical policy that does not cover trip insurance. The price is actually low probably because they pay out more on the trip cancellation and delay part. We did this with our recent b2b cruise that lasted almost a month. I think we paid $90 to cover two of us for medical because we had Princess Platinum insurance and thought their medical was too low.

 

Thank you Dickinson and Happy 2 cruise for this information. I will check them out.

[AnyMajorCruiseDude]

We use it because of the free upgrade from regular to Platinum, and the cancel for any reason. :)

Other then Medjet Assist (Medical/Transportation coverage) we have nit used any other additional insurance,

 

Agree 100% with Colo Cruiser. Cancel for any reason is worth a bunch, and makes the policy very affordable when compared to other providers.

[Cuizer2]

Agree 100% with Colo Cruiser. Cancel for any reason is worth a bunch, and makes the policy very affordable when compared to other providers.

 

But cancel for any reason includes a 25% penalty. I prefer the zero penalty of the named reason coverage.

[AnyMajorCruiseDude]

Well, Platinum coverage offers 100% cruise credit if you so choose. If I have to cancel, I will surely want to rebook! Luckily, I also get the free upgrade to platinum.:)

[Tedferg]

We look at three things

1) Miscellaneous - Trip Delay; Baggage Delay etc. Credit Card covers this

 

2) Cruise Cost - we are prepared to take a chance on this. Unlikely we will change our mind and Cancel-for-Reason is covered by Credit Card.

 

3) Emergency Medical or Evacuation while abroad. At our age this has become a consideration and third party policies provide more coverage for less money.

Note. If you add the cost of the trip, then these policies become expensive. Roughly 8% of trip cost.

 

For a couple (3) is covered for $150 or so versus Princess $420 on our Med Cruise. Not a lot of money either way compared to overall trip cost.

 

We lean towards third party insurance because (3) is better coverage, not so much because of lower price.

 

Final reminder - Princess does not include Air Fare unless bought through them.

[Colo Cruiser]

But cancel for any reason includes a 25% penalty. I prefer the zero penalty of the named reason coverage.

 

Not correct. :(