Why Travel Insurance?
Published Monday, October 30th 2017 - Updated Monday, October 30th 2017
Categories
On the face of it, insurance looks like one of those add on prices that the travel agent or cruise lines want to include to make more money. Well, to be honest, it's not all that much money to our bottom line. However, it could give you peace of mind in the case of things going wrong.
Over the last 30 years of booking cruise and vacations and destination weddings (A Wedding For You), I have probably assisted with filing a few dozen claims for clients. While I hate not to see these people cancel because they have planned so long for this trip, it gives me great satisfaction that they have been covered by the policy and will be able to recoup their money and book again in the future.
But, the hardest calls that I receive are from those who have to cancel because "life happens" and they have not choice and they have not paid for the insurance. I always put the insurance quote on their initial invoice. I also attach a copy of the policy for them to review. The answer, when they do not want the insurance, is I am going no matter what!!!! I hear that mostly when there is a wedding involved. "My sister will kill me if I am not there!
But, what happens if you get something like an ear infection and you can't fly. I realize that sound trivial but most doctors will advise against it because the possibility of bursting an eardrum or worse. Or if you are in an accident and can't travel or if you have jury duty and can't travel. There are so many reasons and possibilities that "life happens" to all of us.
There are also clauses for pre-existing conditions. For the clients who have this situation, I strongly advise that they pay for the insurance when they deposit the cruise. Then, there is no question that the pre-existing condition would be covered in the event of cancellation.
ALSO, the cruise lines are now offering non-refundable deposits in their offers. This can save you several hundred dollars over the refundable deposit promotions but if "life happens", that deposit is gone. For those bookings with the non-refundable deposit, please pay for your insurance at the time of your deposit. Then, your deposit will be covered as well!
Generally, the premium for the insurance is less than 5% of the cost of your coverage. Wouldn't you rather pay the 5% and know that you could get your money back if "life happens"?
Bottom line: The insurance is not a sales pitch. It is there to protect YOUR money and your vacation.
Karen Emery
Cruise Planners
#travelinsurance
#notasalespitch
Over the last 30 years of booking cruise and vacations and destination weddings (A Wedding For You), I have probably assisted with filing a few dozen claims for clients. While I hate not to see these people cancel because they have planned so long for this trip, it gives me great satisfaction that they have been covered by the policy and will be able to recoup their money and book again in the future.
But, the hardest calls that I receive are from those who have to cancel because "life happens" and they have not choice and they have not paid for the insurance. I always put the insurance quote on their initial invoice. I also attach a copy of the policy for them to review. The answer, when they do not want the insurance, is I am going no matter what!!!! I hear that mostly when there is a wedding involved. "My sister will kill me if I am not there!
But, what happens if you get something like an ear infection and you can't fly. I realize that sound trivial but most doctors will advise against it because the possibility of bursting an eardrum or worse. Or if you are in an accident and can't travel or if you have jury duty and can't travel. There are so many reasons and possibilities that "life happens" to all of us.
There are also clauses for pre-existing conditions. For the clients who have this situation, I strongly advise that they pay for the insurance when they deposit the cruise. Then, there is no question that the pre-existing condition would be covered in the event of cancellation.
ALSO, the cruise lines are now offering non-refundable deposits in their offers. This can save you several hundred dollars over the refundable deposit promotions but if "life happens", that deposit is gone. For those bookings with the non-refundable deposit, please pay for your insurance at the time of your deposit. Then, your deposit will be covered as well!
Generally, the premium for the insurance is less than 5% of the cost of your coverage. Wouldn't you rather pay the 5% and know that you could get your money back if "life happens"?
Bottom line: The insurance is not a sales pitch. It is there to protect YOUR money and your vacation.
Karen Emery
Cruise Planners
#travelinsurance
#notasalespitch
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