Insurance
Travel Insurance
Most travelers recognize the need to protect their trip investment. As part of our travel service, we recommend that all travelers purchase some form of travel insurance for the following reasons:
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It provides 24 hour customer service for you
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Provides you with peace of mind
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Protects your investment
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Protects you against unforeseen events such as strikes and natural disasters, and weather
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Protects against baggage loss and delay
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Protects against terrorism
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Can advance emergency funds
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Supplier default may be protected
Key items to look for with Travel Insurance Policies-
Supplier bankruptcy or default – make sure the policy protects you in the event the supplier goes out of business. Usually you have to purchase the insurance at deposit to receive this benefit.
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Pre-existing medical conditions – you normally have to purchase the insurance at deposit and be stable for travel in order to be protected.
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Emergency medical coverage – make sure the policy says you can advance funds for hospitalization and evacuation. Some policies have provisions that you can bring family members over in the event of extended illness.
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Read the fine print – it’s never good. Look for a policy that is easy to read and uses clear language.
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Underwriting – look for a company that has a strong and stable underwriter who is committed to travel.
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We recommend Access America
Bankruptcy/Default- Protects the client's investment if the supplier goes out of business
Pre-Existing Conditions: Protects the client with a pre-existing conditions waiver
Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation- Advance funds for hospitalization and evacuation.
Supplier Insurance Varies From Cruise Line to Cruise Line
1. Pre-existing conditions: Many cruise lines and tour operators do not cover pre-existing conditions. The ones that do are often offering only a credit, not cash back. The credit often must be used within 1 year. If you take ill while traveling and need hospitalization and have a pre-ex, in most cases there is NO COVERAGE, leaving you with a huge out of pocket expense in your most difficult of times.
2. Bankruptcy/ Default: If you buy travel protection from a cruise line or tour operator, and that company goes out of the business, you will not be covered. Suppliers such as Hemphill Harris and Renaissance, and Regency have gone out of business. Since supplier default is never covered with cruise line insurance, it is one of the main reasons to avoid purchasing travel protection from the supplier.
3. Medical Coverage: Supplier insurance(cruise line) can usually make medical recommendations and help with your hospitalization or medivac. But in most cases, you must advance the funds and file a claim for reimbursement.
The key is to puchase independent insurance. The better companies today are able to take over the file, which means monitoring the case and advancing medically necessary funds for hospitalization or evacuation. This is very important while traveling as it get your to the best facility, controls costly out of pocket expenses for you, and provides you with comfort while you are traveling.
You must sign a written form if decline travel protection.
Does your health insurance cover you while traveling. Remember, it is very rare to have full health coverage while traveling. Be safe, use Travel Protection
Click here for Access America information regarding travel insurance.
Mickey O'Donnell
Your Christian Cruise and Travel Consultant
Specializing in Celebration and Personal Enrichment Journeys
877-858-2929
830-995-3651
E-mail: mickey@mickeys-travelcp.com