To insure or not to insure – that is the question! Whether ‘tis better to fight the “system” or to protect yourself against it…….(apologies to William)!
Ask yourself “why should I buy cruise insurance?” Well, first off, if you’re on Medicare (as is Lorraine) – you dang well better! Medicare DOES NOT cover you outside the United States (except in U.S. territories – Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.) so unless you have some bodacious other policy – you’re on your own!
Cruise insurance covers emergencies like finding yourself in need of medical treatment onboard ship, or in some foreign port – it can also cover helicopter evacuation to a hospital in event of serious illness or accident – an occurrence that could cost the uninsured some “serious” bucks! Was once onboard in the middle of the Caribbean when the Captain alerted passengers to stay away from the front of the ship in preparation for helicopter landing. Seems someone had sustained injury on (as we found out later), the rock-climbing wall, and required medical attention beyond the ship’s capability. Well, not only did one helicopter land to evacuate the injured person, but another, soon after, to evacuate her family. I wonder to this day if they had had the forethought to purchase insurance.
What if you or your traveling companion must cancel a fully pre-paid cruise at the last minute due to illness, or any other valid cause? The cruise line will not refund your payment (read the contract) – but insurance will kick-in against your loss! In fact, Lorraine is filing for this benefit as we speak –had pre-paid two cruises (consecutively) and had to debark following the first leg due to illness (DRATS)! Would she ever travel without insurance? Never! And, frankly, neither should you. No one really anticipates that bad stuff will happen, but it sometimes does!
Don’t need to bore you with the “whereas/wherefores/and whatever’s” but, do yourself a favor and carefully read and consider the policy offered by your cruise line or agent (fine print and all)…see what is and is not covered –do your “homework” - find a policy that fits your needs - those few extra bucks may save you a whole lot more in the long run. They certainly did for Lorraine on this cruise!