Good News on Trip Insurance!

My clients know that I've long recommended independent insurance rather than purchasing through the travel supplier - better coverage, lower cost, additional protection. However, the standard policy my company offered, a specifically-negotiated policy with TravelGuard, still had some purchase restrictions if you needed pre-existing coverage. I'm happy to announce that's no longer the case!

TravelGuard has long been my preferred supplier, even though I do represent other companies as well. I personally think that their top-rated traveler's assistance is the best in the business. I've liked the policy we had negotiated, but now I love it. As of this past Monday, you no longer need to purchase the insurance at time of booking (or shortly thereafter) in order to cover pre-existing conditions. You can now have pre-existing conditions waived as long as you purchase the insurance by the time of final payment!

While I still recommend purchasing the insurance when you incur your first non-refundable charge (such as purchasing your flight reservations), this gives passengers more flexibility in budgeting and paying for your cruise. You've always been able to schedule when you make payments for your cruise prior to final payment, now you can budget in and schedule your trip insurance purchase as well.

Remember, this provision is not offered in TravelGuard's other policies. It is specific to the policy my company has negotiated. It's one more way that we work to provide more benefit to you, a higher level of service, and the reason I'm affiliated with this particular company.

As always, we will discuss your specific needs, as sometimes a different policy may be better for your individual situation. But I have to say, this standard policy is going to cover most cruisers' needs quite well. I'm thrilled!

New Insurance Options

Insurance. It's one of those things we hope we don't need, especially in connection with a vacation. But more and more often, situations from medical to family to work interfere with our plans, and insurance becomes invaluable.

My clients know that I strongly recommend trip insurance. Not just for the pre-cruise cancellation benefits, but also possibly more importantly for medical treatment, evacuation or trip interruption benefits during your cruise. But there are several new provisions in insurance which may make insurance even more beneficial to you.

I'm generally not an advocate of insurance through the cruise lines. While I'm happy to offer it, in general (with some specific exceptions, such as Princess when you use Princess air), it's not the best coverage for most passengers. There are too many limitations and lower coverage than independent policies. Some of my clients have taken it, however, because of the cancel for any reason provisions which just weren't available in independent policies. Finally, that rider is now available through companies such as TravelGuard and CSA.

The Cruises Inc. TravelGuard policy now has an option to add cancel for any reason coverage. For a slight surcharge, it adds coverage which allows you to cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure for any reason, such as a work situation, pet emergency, or other non-covered event. The coverage will give you a 75% cash refund in this situation, while medical covered events would still be covered at 100%. It's a terrific option for those who have aging pets, uncertain work schedules or other life situations which don't fall into the traditional medical coverage.

There are also coverages available through TravelGuard and CSA which just cover cancellation for work situations. These are a lesser cost than the cancel for any reason provision, and for many cover the most likely scenario.

I am a licensed insurance agent and represent both TravelGuard and CSA. If you find that the general Cruises Inc. policy isn't the best fit for your situation, know that I can assist you with the purchase of any policy TravelGuard and CSA offers, as well as answer your questions on what policies might be best for your particular needs, including pre-existing conditions.

Insurance is confusing. I know. Fortunately there are new options out there which help make the decision easier to be covered for your specific coverage preferences and which address our changing lives. Talk with me about your insurance questions!