Travel Insurance

[ak1004]

2 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Your TA is wrong, Blue Cross is NOT the only company providing COVID coverage for cruises. My policy with Johnson Insurance, for one, provides COVID-related medical coverage, just not related trip interruption or cancellation.

 

She spoke with Manulife and Blue Cross, so I'm not sure about Johnson. But the question is if cruises are covered? She said Manulife told her they are not.

[Fouremco]

7 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

She spoke with Manulife and Blue Cross, so I'm not sure about Johnson. But the question is if cruises are covered? She said Manulife told her they are not.

I can't speak for Manulife, but as they indicated that they have a Covid plan in their response to @MR_T, I suspect that they can provide at least medical coverage. In the case of Johnson Insurance, this is an excerpt from my renewal notice:

 

COVID-19 coverage available for Emergency Medical Insurance benefits

 

Emergency Medical Insurance benefits continue to provide coverage for eligible emergencies related to COVID-19, even while a Canadian travel advisory related to COVID-19 is in effect.

 

COVID-19 coverage excluded for Trip Cancellation, Interruption & Delay Insurance benefits

 

The policy does not provide coverage for any trip cancellation, interruption or delay if it is directly or indirectly related to COVID-19. This exclusion applies regardless of if travel advisories for COVID-19 are in effect.

 

I've not spent time there, but there is a board on travel insurance that you might want to look at:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/

 

You might also want to look at some of the many multi-quote websites - three listed below - and do a bit of your own research. I know nothing about your TA, who may be excellent but who may not be the best source for insurance. information. 

 

https://tripcover.ca/

https://www.insurancehotline.com/

https://rates.ca/

 

[ak1004]

@Fouremcothank you for the detailed response, but again, the question is about cruises coverage, not Covid coverage. I know for sure that Covid is not covered in any cancellation insurance, but medical insurance can include Covid, depending on the company. Manulife offers a separate Covid coverage for medical insurance, but it does NOT include cruises. I thought that their cancellation insurance does cover cruises, but according to my TA, it does not.

 

Manulife response to @MR_Treferred to Covid coverage, not cruises coverage. So if they offer Covid coverage but do not cover cruises, it doesn't exactly help any of us. 

[AlbertaCruisers]

32 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

@Fouremcothank you for the detailed response, but again, the question is about cruises coverage, not Covid coverage. I know for sure that Covid is not covered in any cancellation insurance, but medical insurance can include Covid, depending on the company. Manulife offers a separate Covid coverage for medical insurance, but it does NOT include cruises. I thought that their cancellation insurance does cover cruises, but according to my TA, it does not.

 

Manulife response to @MR_Treferred to Covid coverage, not cruises coverage. So if they offer Covid coverage but do not cover cruises, it doesn't exactly help any of us. 

 

When I called Manulife about their Pandemic plan they were clear it does cover medical issues on a cruise (no trip cancellation of interruption) as long as you are fully vaccinated before you leave on your trip.  I just went and downloaded the pandemic policy and it has the below wording that gives me comfort.  This is in Alberta though, so, I'm not sure if other provinces are different.

 

Important information about cruise travel: If you have not received the vaccine, this policy does not provide any coverage for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and related complications on a cruise or at any destination included in your cruise itinerary.

25. Any act of terrorism or any medical condition you suffer or contract when an official travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada states, "Avoid all non-essential travel" regarding the country, region or city of your destination, before your effective date. To view the travel advisories, visit the Government of Canada Travel site. For claims due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this exclusion does not apply. Exception: Treatment for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and related complications that you suffer or contract while you are on a cruise or any destination included in your cruise itinerary is not covered if you have not received the vaccine. For claims not due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this exclusion does not apply if your medical condition is unrelated to the travel advisory.

 

26. Any act of terrorism or any medical condition you suffer or contract when an official travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada states, "Avoid all travel" regarding the country, region or city of your destination, before your effective date. To view the travel advisories, visit the Government of Canada Travel site. This exclusion does not apply to claims for any medical condition unrelated to the travel advisory

[Fouremco]

26 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

@Fouremcothank you for the detailed response, but again, the question is about cruises coverage, not Covid coverage. I know for sure that Covid is not covered in any cancellation insurance, but medical insurance can include Covid, depending on the company. Manulife offers a separate Covid coverage for medical insurance, but it does NOT include cruises. I thought that their cancellation insurance does cover cruises, but according to my TA, it does not.

 

Manulife response to @MR_Treferred to Covid coverage, not cruises coverage. So if they offer Covid coverage but do not cover cruises, it doesn't exactly help any of us. 

Let me try one more time. Canada's travel advisory with respect to cruising is because of the threat to passengers from COVID. 

Avoid all travel on cruise ships until further notice

If an outbreak of COVID-19 were to occur on a cruise ship while you are outside of Canada:

• you could be subject to quarantine procedures onboard ship or in a foreign country
• the range of consular services available to those on cruise ships may be significantly restricted by local authorities, especially in situations of quarantine
• it is unlikely that there would be a government-organized repatriation flight to return to Canada

There is no other reason other than COVID that this advisory exists. 

 

Now, travel insurance companies, all of them as far as I know, continue to provide insurance for cruise travel. Most will not cover you for any losses related to COVID, however. So if you come down with Noro, they'll cover your medical costs when the ship treats you in the infirmary, but they won't pay for anything related to COVID.

 

A few companies, Johnson among them, will cover you for any medical costs. So if you come down with COVID during your cruise, any direct medical costs are covered.  But trip interruption or cancellation are not. So if you come down with COVID a week before your cruise, they won't cover any losses from your cancellation. 

 

 

[ak1004]

25 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

 

Now, travel insurance companies, all of them as far as I know, continue to provide insurance for cruise travel.

 

 

 

This statement is 100% incorrect.

 

For example, I called my credit card insurance (Visa Aerogold infinite) and they specifically told me that cruises are currently not covered. So if you are sick on cruise, even unrelated to Covid, their policy does NOT cover you.

 

Regarding Manulife - I know from 2 different sources (my TA and my insurance broker) that their medical insurance does NOT cover cruises, Covid or no Covid. Now my TA told me that their cancellation insurance does not cover cruises as well, based on her phone conversation with them.

[Fouremco]

21 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

This statement is 100% incorrect.

 

For example, I called my credit card insurance (Visa Aerogold infinite) and they specifically told me that cruises are currently not covered. So if you are sick on cruise, even unrelated to Covid, their policy does NOT cover you.

 

Regarding Manulife - I know from 2 different sources (my TA and my insurance broker) that their medical insurance does NOT cover cruises, Covid or no Covid. Now my TA told me that their cancellation insurance does not cover cruises as well, based on her phone conversation with them.

Credit card travel insurance I hadn't factored in, because they have very different rules.

 

As for Manulife, see @AlbertaCruisers post #204, one of many providing information contrary to that provided by your TA.  

 

At this point, I'll just wish you luck in getting the best insurance available.

[ak1004]

9 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Credit card travel insurance I hadn't factored in, because they have very different rules.

 

As for Manulife, see @AlbertaCruisers post #204, one of many providing information contrary to that provided by your TA.  

 

At this point, I'll just wish you luck in getting the best insurance available.

Thank you for all the info. Maybe my TA misunderstood.

 

 We will probably go with Blue Cross because they specifically say on their website that cruises are included, and they now have a promotion that provides medical insurance for a full year at the cost of one trip.

[AlbertaCruisers]

16 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

Thank you for all the info. Maybe my TA misunderstood.

 

 We will probably go with Blue Cross because they specifically say on their website that cruises are included, and they now have a promotion that provides medical insurance for a full year at the cost of one trip.

Manulife only has coverage with the 1 trip pandemic plan, so that may have been the confusion. 
 

I would go with the Blue Cross one too if I had the option, but Alberta Blue Cross is not covering cruises or Covid (except if you have group coverage)! I like the multi-trip policies. 
 

I ended up with Johnson Insurance and I am comfortable with what I have. 

[Fouremco]

31 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

Thank you for all the info. Maybe my TA misunderstood.

 

 We will probably go with Blue Cross because they specifically say on their website that cruises are included, and they now have a promotion that provides medical insurance for a full year at the cost of one trip.

👍

[lx200gps]

13 hours ago, ak1004 said:

Thank you for all the info. Maybe my TA misunderstood.

 

 We will probably go with Blue Cross because they specifically say on their website that cruises are included, and they now have a promotion that provides medical insurance for a full year at the cost of one trip.

We are leaning towards Blue Cross as well, especially given that the "Full year coverage for the price of a single trip" deal has been extended to November 2 and with 4 cruises between this November and 11 months later in October 2022, it would be a massively good deal. Question though: when I do the mock application for the two of us, entering all the correct personal details, the BC website gives us a great price, but seems to ask no medical questions at all, at least as far as I have gone through the process. When I investigated Manulife and Medipac, they went into nauseating detail with multiple pages of medical questions. Does Blue Cross not need full medical history, or have I just missed it in the application process?

[ak1004]

1 hour ago, lx200gps said:

We are leaning towards Blue Cross as well, especially given that the "Full year coverage for the price of a single trip" deal has been extended to November 2 and with 4 cruises between this November and 11 months later in October 2022, it would be a massively good deal. Question though: when I do the mock application for the two of us, entering all the correct personal details, the BC website gives us a great price, but seems to ask no medical questions at all, at least as far as I have gone through the process. When I investigated Manulife and Medipac, they went into nauseating detail with multiple pages of medical questions. Does Blue Cross not need full medical history, or have I just missed it in the application process?

 

My TA will do the insurance for us, I will let you know, but I'm pretty sure there should be a medical questionnaire. 

[DHP1]

I was told by Johnson Insurance that for emergency medical coverage during a level 3 advisory, my policy is in effect as per normal wording.  As for a level 4 advisory which is currently in place, all emergency medical coverage is paused until the level 4 is lifted by the Canadian government.

 

This is the reason I just cancel with Johnson Insurance and received a full refund (annual payment).  The deadline for this is October 5th..

[Fouremco]

JOHNSON INSURANCE

 

There are a lot of misleading posts with respect to Johnson Insurance and what they do or don't cover with the current travel advisories in place. The thing that everyone needs to remember is that Johnson provides insurance to a number of different groups, and that the specific coverage that it offers, and their premiums, vary from group to group.

 

My particular group's insurance - National Association of Federal Retirees - does cover COVID-related medical expenses while the travel advisories are in effect, but does not cover related trip interruption or cancellation. This information was included in my renewal papers. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution after seeing many posts saying the people had been told that Johnson DOESN'T provide coverage due to the travel advisories, I wrote to Johnson seeking clarification. Here is the response:

 

Thank you for your email. My sincerest apologies for the delayed response.

 

The coverage offered depends of the group in which the member is affiliated with.

 

That being said, the coverage we offer the group you are affiliated with, even with the current Travel Advisory (Avoid Non-Essental travel) in place, should you opt to travel, become ill with COVID19 and need to seek emergency medical attention, we would treat it the same as any other emergency medical situation where you would be covered as per your regular policy wording, which provides you with $10million of coverage. This would be the same if the travel advisory moved to a level 4, Avoid All Travel.

 

That being said, should your trip cancel, delay or get interrupted due to COVID19, unfortunately, that sort of issue is excluded from the non-medical side of your coverage. However, you are still covered under the non-medical side of coverage for all other covered events within your policy wording, even with the current travel advisory in place.

 

Also, prior to travelling we always recommend checking the Canadian Government Travel Advisory website https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories to ensure there are no new advisories put in place at your destination. 

 

Should you require anything further, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

Kindest regards,

 

Stephanie Kirby 

 

Service Specialist, Travel | Travel Operations

Spécialiste de service, Voyages | Opérations de l’Assurance voyage

10 Factory Lane | St. John’s, NL | A1C 6H5

Tel: 1.866.606.3362 | Fax: 1.855.454.1337

Email: travelinsurance@johnson.ca  Web: www.johnson.ca

 

Thank you for choosing MEDOC! Your Travel Insurance Experts. | Merci d’avoir choisi MEDOC! Vos experts en

assurance voyage.

 

So, while some groups may have a lower level of coverage, mine does provide medical benefits, including for COVID, even when Level 4 advisories are in place.

 

Anyone with Johnson insurance or considering acquiring insurance with them should be very precise when enquiring about coverage. On CC, it would be beneficial if posters specified their group when discussing coverage. Or lack thereof. 

 

[Ginnyfyr]

On 9/29/2021 at 5:33 PM, ak1004 said:

 

She spoke with Manulife and Blue Cross, so I'm not sure about Johnson. But the question is if cruises are covered? She said Manulife told her they are not.

Manulife is absolutely not providing coverage for Covid if contracted on a cruise (I sell Manulife - I'm very aware of what they are and are not covering right now). You can purchase their Covid coverage if you're going to an all inclusive or on any other type of holiday but if you purchase it for a cruise and catch Covid on the cruise, you're not getting anything from them. Blue Cross told me Covid is covered if you catch it on a cruise, so we purchased Manulife's premium protection policy which includes Cancel for Any Reason (our cat had just been diagnosed with kidney disease and we weren't sure how bad it was or if we would be able to go on our cruise, so I wanted that CFAR coverage) and then I bought a medical policy from Blue Cross to cover in case we caught Covid. Cost me an extra $75 but it was money well spent for the peace of mind. 

[AlbertaCruisers]

On 9/29/2021 at 4:55 PM, AlbertaCruisers said:

 

When I called Manulife about their Pandemic plan they were clear it does cover medical issues on a cruise (no trip cancellation of interruption) as long as you are fully vaccinated before you leave on your trip.  I just went and downloaded the pandemic policy and it has the below wording that gives me comfort.  This is in Alberta though, so, I'm not sure if other provinces are different.

 

Important information about cruise travel: If you have not received the vaccine, this policy does not provide any coverage for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and related complications on a cruise or at any destination included in your cruise itinerary.

25. Any act of terrorism or any medical condition you suffer or contract when an official travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada states, "Avoid all non-essential travel" regarding the country, region or city of your destination, before your effective date. To view the travel advisories, visit the Government of Canada Travel site. For claims due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this exclusion does not apply. Exception: Treatment for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and related complications that you suffer or contract while you are on a cruise or any destination included in your cruise itinerary is not covered if you have not received the vaccine. For claims not due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this exclusion does not apply if your medical condition is unrelated to the travel advisory.

 

26. Any act of terrorism or any medical condition you suffer or contract when an official travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada states, "Avoid all travel" regarding the country, region or city of your destination, before your effective date. To view the travel advisories, visit the Government of Canada Travel site. This exclusion does not apply to claims for any medical condition unrelated to the travel advisory

 

As an update to my post above, as I mentioned, I didn't end up going with Manulife, so I didn't proceed to get anything in writing from them, but even though multiple different people from Manulife assured me on the phone that cruises are covered right now for COVID medical under Manulife's Pandemic policy, upon reading the above again, and even though some of the cruise wording is confusing in the policy and suggests if you are vaccinated, cruising would be covered, I think that the exclusion in #26 would mean cruises right now, since is at "avoid all..." would not be covered.  It is too bad the people on the phone don't seem to know what they are taking about.

 

I'm much happier with the wording in my Johnson insurance policy.  I'm not part of any group.  The policy clearly does not cover trip interruption or trip cancellation, but that is ok, I knew that going in, but it specifically provides that COVID is covered for Emergency Medical even if a travel advisory is in effect.

[Liverpoolfan181]

I just Purchased emergency medical policy with Blue Cross for my family and my (healthy) senior parents. Covers Covid-19 and cruising even with federal advisories (Hope this changes by January) They were absolutely wonderful to work with and everything is so detailed.  Thank you to everyone who mentioned Blue Cross! Feel much more relief now and plan is refundable up until departure date.

Edited October 6, 2021 by Liverpoolfan181

[loman]

I would also like to thank the posters regarding Blue Cross . I booked a cruise for next September and didnt really consider the insurance aspect until after i booked.

Things may be better by then ( i hope ) but it is reassuring to know i can get coverage.

Being Canadian specific , this site has provided great value .

Cheers ! 

[lx200gps]

13 hours ago, Liverpoolfan181 said:

I just Purchased emergency medical policy with Blue Cross for my family and my (healthy) senior parents. Covers Covid-19 and cruising even with federal advisories (Hope this changes by January) They were absolutely wonderful to work with and everything is so detailed.  Thank you to everyone who mentioned Blue Cross! Feel much more relief now and plan is refundable up until departure date.

+1 on Blue Cross here as well. We have 4 cruises booked between late November and October next year, and with Blue Cross's "One year Coverage for the price of a single trip" special going on until November 2, it's a no-brainer for us. Full medical coverage, including COVID for two healthy adults, early 60s, for FOUR cruises, for a total of only $C187.

 

[DHP1]

I too planning on purchasing Blue Cross (medical). They have a good website in explaining everything you need to know and at a good price. 
 

I also purchase Princess Vacation Protection in case we need to cancel our cruise the last minute. Princess doesn’t offer much for medical expenses in case we get Covid 19. So as a back up plan, we purchase Blue Cross. The only thing that is not insured is our flights to Florida. Airline insurance is expensive. 

 

Edited October 7, 2021 by DHP1

[DHP1]

Sorry, I should also mention that we purchase our airline though Princess EZair.

“Cancel flexible airfare up to 45 days prior to departure with no fees. Plus, book flights now with no amount due until cruise final payment”.
So at least we have up to 45 days prior to our departure to cancel our airfare and received a full refund (FCC). Better than nothing.  

The other great advantage of booking airfare with Princess is that if the airline drops its price or you find a cheaper flight, you cancel and rebook (very simple to do). Done this about 3 times so far and saved approximately $60 each. I notice today the price drop again. 😀  

Edited October 7, 2021 by DHP1

[bookbabe]

Thanks for the heads’ up re the Blue Cross deal.

 

The Annual $5mil emergency medical plan for two adults in their early 50’s, upgraded to cover trips up to 31 days long, no deductible, was $235 total.

 

We have trip interruption, etc through other sources that we’re happy with, so I didn’t price that out.  Covers hospitalization for Covid, but not asymptomatic quarantine, but NCL covers that for their cruises so I think we now have all the bases covered.  

 

Great deal, very happy with that pricing, since it will cover our three planned cruises plus a variety of other trips to WDW, Vegas, etc.

[Nyx7979]

On 6/25/2021 at 9:06 PM, Debra_Murdock said:

We are having trouble finding an insurance company who will cover us for cruising. Has anyone had any success in getting medical and trip cancellation? We are booked for a cruise in mid September but may have to cancel if we can’t purchase travel insurance. We are both retired and travelling with my Mom and her friend, both in their 80’s. 
 

Thanks

 

 

I have phoned a few insurers. Because of the Canada travel advisement against cruising, covid is not covered by the ones I have contacted.  However, the medical insurance you get or already have will still cover you for any other health issue other than covid, so you are not completely uncovered.  Celebrity Cruiseline states they will take care of getting you safely home if you do test positive.

[It'sWineO'Clock]

Ensuring my spouse and I have full medical coverage was one of the last pieces of the puzzle that I needed to figure out before I felt comfortable cruising again. Fortunately I was able to confirm that my company's plan through Sun Life does indeed include coverage for COVID-related medical (and quarantine) while on a cruise. 

[CCBB]

Hi, we are in Alberta and I can't seem to find the "one trip for one year" promotion on the Alberta Blue Cross web site. Can someone please help?

 

Thank you!