Want to see the world, relax at the same time, and enjoy great travel protection? Then it sounds like you need to take a cruise — and buy cruise insurance.
Cruise insurance is designed to cover issues that could occur before as well as during your trip, such as trip cancellation, flight delays, trip delays or interruption, or baggage coverage. In addition, cruise insurance either may cover some of the costs of medical care if you become ill or injured while on your cruise or even provide emergency medical evacuation. Imagine the peace of mind knowing that if you're forced to cancel a luxury cruise plan due to a covered reason, you're financially protected.
In this article, we’ll review everything you need to know about cruise insurance — should you buy cruise insurance; what does cruise insurance cover; how much is travel insurance for cruise; and where to purchase it — before you embark on your next cruise. Especially before you set sail, it's important to make sure you're protected in case of unexpected events, and that's where cruise insurance comes in.
What Is Cruise Insurance?
Cruise insurance is designed to protect cruise passengers if they have to cancel their cruise due to an unforeseen event. It also covers trip costs due to cruise ship disablement or if your cruise is disrupted for any reason.
Policies vary, so it's important to read the fine print before you buy insurance. There are a few factors that will affect the price and coverage. Generally, cruise insurance purchased through the cruise line will cover the cost of your cruise if you have to cancel your cruise for a covered reason. Insurance purchased through a third party typically covers the cost of the cruise as well as airfare and other travel expenses if the trip is canceled for a covered reason.
Cruise insurance may also cover medical expenses if you get sick or injured while on your cruise. Medical expenses can become quite costly when abroad, as most U.S. health insurance policies do not offer medical benefits outside the U.S.
How Much Does Trip Protection Cost?
When you think about trip protection, it's not just travel insurance for cruise and flight; it's a safeguard for the investment you've made into your well-deserved vacation.
So how much does cruise insurance cost? First, think about the length of your cruise vacation. Insurance for a short cruise will cost less than insurance for a longer trip. The second factor is the value of your cruise. If you're taking an expensive cruise, you'll need to get more comprehensive coverage. The third factor is the type of coverage you want. Basic coverage will be less expensive than comprehensive coverage.
All in all, you can expect to pay anywhere from a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars for cruise insurance, and you may have to provide an initial trip deposit. Again, it all depends on the length and value of your cruise.
What Does Insurance Cover?
Third-party cruise insurance generally covers cancellations for covered reasons, missed connections, medical expenses and evacuation in the event of an emergency. Most policies will also cover lost or delayed luggage. Coverage for cancellations “for any reason” will be an additional charge and typically only covers 75% of the fare, paid out in future cruise credits, not as a cash refund. If you decide to invest in travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits, you have the potential to be reimbursed for up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses.
When shopping for cruise insurance, be sure to read through your policy carefully to understand what is and is not covered. For medical insurance, you’ll want to ensure that you’re covered up to $100,000. For evacuation coverage, the number should be around $250,000.
You may also want to consider purchasing trip interruption insurance, which will reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your cruise due to a covered emergency. You can also consult with your AAA Travel Agent to find a policy with the coverage you want.
How to Find Good Cruise Insurance
So you've finally booked that cruise you've been dreaming of. The only thing left to do is buy cruise insurance, right? Wrong!
First, check your home insurance policy. Chances are, you're already covered for cancellations due to bad weather or illness. And if you have travel insurance, you may be covered for lost luggage or emergency medical expenses.
While the odds of something going wrong on your cruise are relatively low, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If something does happen, you'll be glad you have cruise insurance.
The good news is that buying cruise insurance through AAA is easy.
Here's how to do it: Simply go to AAA.com/Travel and click on the Travel Insurance link. From there, get an online quote or call the number to speak to a AAA Travel Agent in your area. You will need your date of birth, departure and return dates, and port of departure. Finally, review the quotes and choose the policy that best meets your needs. It's that easy! Don't wait — purchase your cruise insurance through AAA.com today.
Book Your Next Cruise with AAA
Explore hundreds of luxury cruise options with AAA Vacations. You can filter results based on your timeline, destination, length of your cruise, and more. From Europe and the Americas to Africa and the Arctic, your options are limitless when AAA travels with you.