The last thing any cruiser wants after their trip goes wrong is to find out their travel insurance claim was rejected.
Unfortunately, that’s more common than you may think.
While travel insurance comes in handy to cover certain medical emergencies and other unforeseen expenses on your cruise, it doesn’t cover everything that can happen. And if you purchase insurance directly through your cruise line, your coverage is even less robust.
The experts at travel insurance platform Squaremouth have seen common cruise incidents result in out-of-pocket expenses for many passengers. “Due to the unique nature of cruises, they come with certain scenarios that may be excluded under basic travel insurance policies,” Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations at Squaremouth, said in a statement.
Michael Winkleman, a maritime attorney with Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., agreed. “Cruisers assume this covers anything and everything when there’s a problem but if you read the fine print of the insurance contract there are always limits and exclusions, which can be difficult to swallow,” he told USA TODAY. Still, he thinks travel insurance is a “no brainer” for cruisers to get peace of mind – as long as they fully understand their policy.
Here are the most common cruise scenarios that are likely not covered by your standard travel insurance policy, according to experts.
1. Alcohol-related accidents
Indulging in the all-inclusive drink package is always a treat to cruisers, but sometimes a bit too much can lead to accidents, injuries or getting sick. If you end up needing medical attention and intoxication is found to be a factor, travel insurance won’t cover your treatment.
2. Sports-related onshore activities
Cruisers often enjoy thrills like scuba diving, jet skiing and zip lining, but most basic travel insurance plans won’t cover any medical bills if you get hurt. According to Winkleman, they’re excluded from coverage because “incidents are highly likely.” However, you can look for a policy that includes adventure sport coverage.
3. Missing the ship
Running late and missing all aboard time means you have to meet the ship at the next port, but that means buying transportation to get there and possibly even overnight accommodations. These costs aren’t typically covered under standard travel insurance plans unless you get one that’s cruise-specific and includes missed cruise connections and tours.
4. Bringing expensive belongings
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal items are protected under standard policies, but make sure you read the fine print because not everything you own will be reimbursed. Not only are certain high-value items like cameras not covered, but many plans also have maximum limits for how much you’ll get back. If you know you want to bring expensive belongings aboard, look for extended baggage protection coverage.
For ultimate safe-keeping, just skip packing your nicest jewelry. “These are tough cases as the cruise lines generally have language in their ticket contract that limits the value of these claims,” said Winkleman. “This is why I generally recommend against traveling with high-value items. Why take the risk? Just leave it home.”
5. Acts of war and civil unrest
The war in Iran and civil unrest in Mexico are the most recent political events to disrupt travel, prompting some people to want to cancel their upcoming trips. However, they may not get much of their money back even if they have travel insurance since acts of war and civil unrest are usually excluded from basic coverage. You may be able to get some percentage of your cruise cost back, depending on the cruise line’s policy and how far in advance you cancel.
The only way travel insurance will get you a maximum refund is if you bought Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) or Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) coverage because they allow you to cancel or end your trip early for any reason.
6. Going to a destination with travel warnings
Where your cruise sails to could exclude you from travel insurance protection. Some providers won’t cover regions with level 4 travel warnings – the highest by the State Department – including parts of Mexico, a popular cruising locale. Squaremouth recommends travelers confirm their cruise itinerary with their insurance provider before booking.
7. Booking with points or rewards
Booking a trip with points or rewards may feel like a score at first, but if you end up needing to file a travel insurance claim, you might be out of luck. Most plans only reimburse purchases made with cash, card, or bank transfers, so confirm with your provider first.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 7 common cruise scenarios travel insurance won’t cover
Reporting by Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
