7 Common Cruise Scenarios Travel Insurance Won’t Cover

The last thing any cruiser wants after their unfortunate trip is to find that their travel insurance claim has been denied.

Unfortunately, that’s more common than you might think.

While travel insurance helps cover medical emergencies and other unexpected expenses on your trip, it doesn’t cover everything. And if you buy insurance directly from the cruise line, your coverage is even lower.

Experts at travel insurance forum Squaremouth have seen common cruise incidents result in out-of-pocket costs for many passengers. “Due to the unique nature of cruises, they come with certain conditions that may not be covered under basic cruise insurance policies,” said Chrissy Valdez, Squaremouth’s senior director of operations, in a statement.

Michael Winkleman, a maritime attorney with Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, PA, agreed. “Shippers think this covers anything and everything if there’s a problem, but if you read the fine print of the insurance contract there are always limitations and exclusions, which can be hard to swallow,” he told USA TODAY. Still, he thinks travel insurance is a “no-brainer” for cruise passengers for peace of mind – as long as they fully understand their policy.

Here are the most common cruise conditions that may not be covered by your standard travel insurance, according to experts.

1. Risks related to alcohol

Indulging in an all-inclusive beverage package is always fun for boaters, but sometimes overdoing it can lead to accidents, injury or illness. If you end up needing medical attention and intoxication is found to be the cause, travel insurance will not cover your treatment.

2. Beach activities related to sports

Cruisers often enjoy activities such as scuba diving, jet skiing and zip lining, but most basic travel insurance plans will not cover any medical bills if you are injured. According to Winkleman, they were not included in the document because “incidents are too likely.” However, you can look for a policy that includes adventure sports coverage.

3. Loss of ship

Running late and missing the entire boarding time means you have to meet the ship at the next port, but that means buying transportation to get there and maybe even a place to stay for the night. These expenses are usually not covered under standard travel insurance plans unless you get one that is specific to the cruise and includes connections and missed cruises and excursions.

4. Bringing expensive things

Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal belongings are covered under standard policies, but be sure to read the fine print because not all belongings will be returned. Not only are certain high-value items like cameras not covered, but many plans have high limits on how much you’ll get back. If you know you want to bring expensive items, look for extended baggage protection.

For perfect safe storage, simply skip packing your finest jewelry. “These are difficult cases as cruise lines often have language in their ticket contracts limiting the value of these claims,” ​​said Winkleman. “That’s why I usually recommend taking high-value items with you. Why take the risk? Just leave them at home.”

5. Acts of war and civil unrest

The war in Iran and civil unrest in Mexico are the latest political events to disrupt travel, prompting some people to cancel their upcoming trips. However, they may not get much return even if they have travel insurance as acts of war and civil unrest are usually not included in the basic coverage. You can get a percentage of your cruise cost back, depending on the cruise line’s policy and how far in advance you cancel.

The only way travel insurance will get you a higher return is if you buy Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) or Disruption For Any Reason (IFAR) because it allows you to cancel or end your trip early for any reason.

6. Going to an area with travel warnings

The destination of your cruise may exclude you from travel insurance coverage. Some providers will not include regions with 4 travel warnings – the highest by the State Department – including parts of Mexico, a popular cruise destination. Squaremouth recommends that travelers confirm their cruise with their insurance provider prior to booking.

7. Booking with points or rewards

Booking travel with points or rewards may sound like a great deal at first, but if you end up needing to apply for travel insurance, you may be out of luck. Most programs only refund purchases made by cash, card, or bank transfer, so check with your provider first.

This article first appeared in USA TODAY: 7 common cruise scenarios travel insurance won’t cover

Reporting by Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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