By , Cruise Specialist | January 01, 1900 ( Comments)
Quick Answer: Travel insurance is something you want to have and not use, never need and not have!
In the past, travel insurance used to be seen as a gimmick, a negative, silly, frivolous, a scam.
Not anymore.
Whether it?s your trip, your possessions, your luggage, or your health, travel insurance has become one of the most important pieces of the cruise reservation.
A recent consumer study conducted by the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) found that close to 70 percent of cruisers buy travel insurance, an increase of over 300% since 2001.
Although the number of travelers protected by insurance is rising, it is still somewhat of a taboo subject to many, still seen as a ?gimmick?. Americans recognize the importance of insuring their homes, cars and their health. It is also important for them to consider insuring their travel.
The top three reasons to purchase any type of insurance: peace of mind, protection against the unexpected and concern over losing a financial investment.
Travel insurance provides:
- Financial reimbursement for trip cancellation, interruption and delay in situations arising from conditions such as illness or bad weather; and for baggage loss and/or delay.
- Medical insurance and medical evacuation coverage in case you become ill or are injured while traveling.
- 24-hour assistance line to help find doctors, help arrange accommodations, contact your family or other assistance in case of emergency.
Travelers must ask themselves: Can I afford the financial risk of losing my vacation investment if something goes wrong due to illness, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances?
If you answered no, but are still not convinced you will ever use a travel insurance policy ? you might want to read on (answered yes? well, that?s nice, but you need to read too!):
Trip Cancellation | Trip Interruption | Travel Delay | Missed Connection
Real Life What If:
You become ill and a doctor advises you not to travel? Your brother is sick or your sister is giving birth and needs you to stay home?
Someone in your family passes away?
You are in a travel accident on your drive to the cruise terminal?
Your tour operator, airline or cruise line ceases operation due to bankruptcy ? so there is no trip to take? v You?re summoned to serve on a jury or appear in court?
You have to stay home and take care of your home that was damaged in a flood, or hurricane?
Your destination is inhabitable from a hurricane?
Who will help you?
All cruise lines charge penalties if you must cancel your cruise within their penalty periods. Unfortunately, they will not make an exception, even under the most dismal of circumstances.
Life can be unpredictable. Trip cancellation coverage reimburses the full cost of all non-refundable trip arrangements for covered reasons such as illness, injury and death. Some legal matters* are covered such as jury duty, court-ordered appearances and legal separation/divorce (*pending approval, certain requirements apply).
If a tour operator, cruise line or air line goes into financial default, you will be fully reimbursed instead of being left at home without a trip or the funds (certain requirements apply).
Real Life What If:
You?re flying in the day of your cruise, and you realize your flight is delayed for over 6 hours?
You?re flying in the day of your cruise, and you realize your connecting flight is cancelled or delayed?
You miss the ship and need help meeting it at the next port of call?
You become ill during travel or an emergency arises and you have to leave your cruise early? How will you get back home?
Your spouse is hospitalized during the trip and you have to stay longer than planned?
Air travel can be unpredictable. In 2012, 20% of U.S. flights were cancelled or delayed according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If your flight is delayed for six or more hours, receive up to $150 per day to cover a comfortable hotel to wait out the delay.
Or maybe the connecting flight to the ship is delayed so long it results in missing your scheduled cruise. Travel insurance covers missed connections, covering any expenses and potentially helping you catch up to the cruise ship at the next possible port of call.
If a trip is interrupted, trip interruption coverage will reimburse the unused non-refundable portion of a trip as well as increased transportation costs for you to return home due to a covered reason
You?ll also have 24- hour assistance services to help you arrange and pay for those travel changes.
Baggage Loss | Baggage Delay
Real Life What If:
You get to your ship, but your bags don?t? Is it lost? Or just delayed? Who will help you find it?
Your bags are stolen while you?re traveling? How will you replace items needed for the duration of your trip?
Did we mention air travel can be unpredictable? In 2011, more than 2,000,000 travelers filed reports of mishandled baggage and lost luggage can take up to five days to return to its owner.
Travel insurance provides coverage to replace needed items right away and assist in locating any lost or delayed luggage. This coverage is intended to provide replacement value (up to certain limits) for baggage that is lost, stolen, or destroyed during your trip, not just on the flight.
Medical Coverage | 24-Hour Assistance
Real Life What If:
You have a medical or dental emergency in a foreign country? Who will help arrange and pay for a medical evacuation?
You have an accident or medical issue on the ship, miles away from a hospital?
You break your ankle on an excursion and need to locate a suitable medical facility with an English-speaking physician?
You lost or forgot necessary medication?
What if you?re in Europe and you lose your passport? How will you get the funds to replace?
Travel can definitely be unpredictable. According to a study conducted by DCMS Online, thirty to fifty percent of travelers both stateside and abroad will become ill or injured during their trip; that?s almost one out of every two travelers!
Ships? doctors are equipped to provide prompt medical care, but for serious health emergencies, passengers may need to be airlifted to the closest medical facility. Check your current health and homeowner?s policies to see what coverage you have. For example, many people are surprised to find that their medical insurance may not cover them in international waters, and may provide no coverage at all for medical evacuation.
Travel insurance provides peace of mind during international travel with coverage for emergencies that occur during your trip and also transportation to the nearest approved medical facility. In a foreign country, this can be extremely important as you do not know the area or the language.
If you happen to forget medication, you will have assistance in locating a pharmacy to have a prescription filled. Or if you forget your wallet and passport in a restaurant in France, but you?re now in Spain, get assistance with emergency calls home, funds and advice for a replacement.
Help is just a call away; receive 24-hour hot-line help with U.S-based representatives that will assist with any medical, legal or travel-related emergency.
Take a Step Back
Now, the reason you?re trying to get away on a cruise vacation is to sail away from worry and stress on the mainland, right? So let?s not worry about natural disasters, illness, injury, lost luggage, missed flights, or stolen passports, okay?
Let?s review the nominal travel insurance cost with your travel agent and protect your vacation investment and peace of mind from Bon Voyage to Welcome Home.
Travel insurance is something you want to have & not use, never need & not have!
iCruise.com is proud to offer Generali Travel Protection as a comprehensive and affordable alternative to the cruise lines? insurance. Generali's Global Assistance travel insurance and travel assistance services provide everything you need to protect your investment and travel with confidence. Click here to review Travel Insurance Coverage and Costs.
To purchase this policy or for coverage inquires, please contact your iCruise.com Cruise Expert.
We believe so fully in benefit of travel insurance that we automatically add the cost of insurance to new reservations, to protect you ? our client. You may decline in writing if you so choose, but if we do not receive written instructions stating otherwise we will charge the insurance with your final payment. With iCruise.com?s Generali Global Assistance Travel Protection Policy, receive coverage for all of the above and so much more including, but not limited to, coverage for rental cars, US Military Service, work coverage and existing medical conditions. Pending claim approval, certain restrictions and requirements apply. Always discuss coverage inclusions and exclusions with your travel agent.
