Many travelers don’t stop to think about the dangers of a much needed vacation, especially when they are excited about their upcoming cruise; but misfortune can happen anywhere. It is not uncommon for people to experience sea-sickness while they are vacationing on a cruise ship, and recreational activities can also result injuries. A cruise travel insurance policy will protect vacationers against unexpected losses and incurred medical costs that may occur on-board a cruise ship.
Cruise-goers should make sure that they have the appropriate insurance coverage before they embark on their vacation, because cruise ships do not offer travel insurance on-board. If vacationers become ill or injured during a cruise vacation, they may have to seek medical attention at the ship’s infirmary. One thing that cruise-goers should know is that medical services on a cruise ship can be very expensive. Do not be surprised if the medical bill amounts to hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. The bill will be charged to the on-board account of the patient, and the cruise line may not accept standard health insurance in international or foreign waters. This means that those who receive medical care on-board a cruise ship are required to pay their bill out of their own pocket first, and then claim compensation when they return home. Cruise ships are considered foreign vessels, and basic travel medical insurance may not work on-board.
There are many places that sell cruise travel insurance, and they include insurance companies, travel insurance providers, banks, travel agents, and the cruise lines themselves. It is best that cruise-goers do not purchase the insurance policies that are offered by cruise lines, because these policies are mostly secondary policies. This means that the policy holders have to claim compensation from their own insurance companies first, and then get reimbursement from the cruise companies’ insurance providers. Most policies from cruise lines only cover for incidents that occur on-board the cruise ships. Also, some cruise lines compensate cruise-goers by offering travel credits instead of monetary recovery.
Specialized travel insurance providers offer some of the most competitive rates for cruise travel insurance, and they have a wider range of coverage, which include higher maximum medical coverage, trip cancellation, sports injuries, evacuation, and accidental death. It is a good idea for cruise-goers to purchase a third-party travel insurance policy. With this type of policy, there is a chance that they may be offered upfront financial assistance, or they may get compensation in a shorter time.
To ensure that you get a good travel insurance policy for your cruise trip, you should buy from an established insurance company. Such a company has the necessary experience to provide valuable advice and assistance when you are in an emergency situation, and it can pay claims promptly.
