Since the tragic cruise ship accident in Italy that has left 13 passengers dead and an unknown amount missing (due to unregistered passengers…unbelievable), a lot of cruise ship travelers are understandably nervous. It’s rumored that some cruise lines are not letting passengers that have already booked cruises cancel because of this accident. A lot of travelers have been asking me if they should purchase travel insurance for their next trip/cruise. Well, I always answer with three questions.
First, is it in your budget to add the price of the insurance policy to your vacation costs? The rates for coverage run between affordable to extremely pricey. The rates will depend on the price of your trip, where you live and the destination. For example, the rates for an insurance policy for a $479 per person cruise to the Bahamas from Maryland ranges from $54 to $450 depending on the provider and the chosen coverage options.
Second, is there anything going on in your life that could cause you to have to cancel your trip? Things like health issues or a crazy boss that revokes your approve dates at the last minute.
Thirdly, how much are you spending on your trip? If the vacation is expensive, definitely protect yourself with travel insurance. If you say yes to any of the questions, then you should definitely purchase travel insurance for your trip.
The most important tip I offer travelers regarding insurance is to purchase a policy with a “cancel anytime” clause. This clause gives you several “outs” that are not included in basic policies if you should need to cancel your trip.
You can purchase travel insurance separately through websites like www.insuremytrip.com or through companies like American Express. If you are buying your vacation through a travel search engine or a popular travel website, they normally add (you have to manually delete the option) travel insurance to the price (for a great price) before you complete your purchase. Travel agents can also offer good options for a travel insurance policy.
The choice is totally yours, but if you have any doubts, purchase the travel insurance and rest assured that you are protected if you need to cancel.
By The Travelin Diva (Kirstin N. Fuller)
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