Thread: When to buy Insurance

Originally Posted by reggierail

There is one exception to that. For 3rd party insurance age is a factor and the older the more expensive the insurance. Cruise line insurance is the same for someone 18 or 81.

Reggie

Thanks for the tip ... My girlfriend is quite young 27, 28 in December.. Me on the other hand, I am an old man at 30... I hurt all over

Seriously - Thanks, my mom is moving back to NY from CA sometime next year for many reasons, all good ones. They would have to be to leave CA right? Anyway I do plan on getting her to Bermuda via cruise so knowing to read fine print about seniors traveling could be a big help when picking...

Originally Posted by reggierail

There is one exception to that. For 3rd party insurance age is a factor and the older the more expensive the insurance. Cruise line insurance is the same for someone 18 or 81.

Reggie

I know...we're old! But the 3rd party insurance has more coverage for us than any cruise line policy tht I have seen.

Char is correct - the 3rd party insurance is always better than the cruise line insurance.

However, as Reggie mentioned, if someone is older - like in the 80's, sometimes the cruise line insurance may be the better way to go. Check out their policies to make sure they will cover your specific situation. Some cruise line insurance will only cover your airfare if you purchased the air through the cruise line, while others will cover your airfare even if you booked it independently.

And as was mentioned, Insuremytrip.com is a good place to do some shopping and comparison. BUT, do not think that just because they are listed on there that they are a good policy. You need to look at the coverages VERY carefully and compare the limits. Sometimes cheap is not the best way to go. There are three well-known companies on Insuremytrip.com that our company fired because of very poor customer service.

Insurance companies are like the cruise lines in that they pay commissions to the agents. Some charge more for their policy because they pay a higher commission to the agent. So sometimes paying more does not necessarily mean it's a better policy. Beware of agents pushing insurance or pushing only one company, or trying to sell you travel protection instead of travel insurance.

Bottom line is that you need to work with your agent in finding a policy that's best for you, but don't assume - make sure you know what you're getting.

I always recommend travel insurance, but I hope that it's a waste of your money because if you need it, it's usually not for a good reason. But if you need it and don't have it, the results can be huge.

Pete

Pete is so right, never go by price of insurance. Make sure that the insurance company has the best ratings. Can't remember off the top of my head, but I think it is A+,A . Insure my trip has all that information.
We had gotten insuraunce that was secondary, my TA's mistake and went around in circles for 5 months before getting paid and then only after we went to a group that helped seniors. Within 2 days of going to the interview we had the check in the mail for our costs on the ship. I would post names but don't want to get into trouble for posting the companies. I duid learn a lesson, because of of my and DH health problems, we need pirmary insurance.

I am not worried about price - I thank you all for your help, been some great answers!!!

Frubs for all!

I think it is better to get the insurance first. Because that is the most important thing in case you know. Everything else can wait according to me. My friend made this mistake and there is no point in regretting later.

thanks for the thread... I read it today before insuring our trip... I have used Travel Guard in the past but will check out insuremytrip.com

TA is pushing Royal Caribbean insurance...