travel insurance
 

Do you recommend travel insurance? Our cruise line is offering that or a casino credit. Which is worth more?

I'm 70 and would take the insurance , stuff happens !!!

If I were younger I'd take the casino credit.

No matter what age I would want insurance.Even if you are young you could break a leg, have a death in the family , emergency surgery...well, you get the idea. It also can cover delayed arrival, lost luggage etc.
What does it cover? Be sure to know what you are getting.

I personally have never taken insurance (or needed it, knock on wood) and we have gone on some pretty extensive cruises most of which are 30 days or more. I guess should something terrible happen that required us to cancel or cut our cruise short and we lost 100% of our cruise fare we'd probably still be ahead $$wise over all the cruises we haven't insured.

With this said, we are in excellent health and have good medical insurance that covers us out of the country as well as medjet which we renew each year incase we require an emergency evacuation.

I think travel insurance is a must and I agree with katybird it covers so much more than what you may think. It's not just your health - what your family members or an unexpected death of a parent or sibling? All covered. DON'T TAKE THE CRUISE LINE INSURANCE. Most travel agents will tell you to get separate insurance - after all if the cruise line has an unexpected problem (e.g. unforseen bankruptcy) - now you have a real problem on collecting. Look at www.insuremytrip.com It will give you some great comparisons on travel insurance.

I always include insurance with a cruise or package.To me, its part of the cost of the trip, just like port taxes and government fees.That said, so far, I usually only pay the cost for me, so I'm not paying an arm and a leg.I have seen/heard far too many examples of what can go wrong.A friend of a friend went to Mexico.She didnt buy any insurance with the package.They were going up the stairs at a restaurant.The bum in front of her was too drunk to stand up.He fell backwards, knocking her down.He wasnt hurt, naturally.It cost her around $30K for subsequent treatment and she still is not 100%.I usually buy Travelguard, and I do include medical evacuation.I read in Ombudsman about a couple who took a trip to Africa, no insurance.As I remember they had to be evacuated to Germany then home after an auto accident.Six figures to get home.Is it worth it? You be the judge.

Travel insurance: are you talking medical, or is it travel cancellation?

If medical - you MUST get it! I always tell how my 19-years-old son went to Germany and was hospitalized with the flu. If you have medical insurance, make sure you have worldwide coverage.

As for which is worth more... how much do you plan to lose in the casino?

My only advice is to read the fine print very carefully. I generally advise people not to buy insurance directly from the travel company that books their trip unless you are getting a 100% cancellation policy and can get cash---not a credit---in case something goes wrong.

A few years ago, my husband and I took our first cruise, and we did not buy insurance. The cruise was a repositioning cruise with many older people. At most stops and while in the locks in the Panama Canal, ambulances met the ship and people were removed for medical reasons. Since then, we buy medical insurance especially evacuation insurance.

And, be sure and read that policy carefully. Some say they will take you to the "nearest appropriate facility". Ask the insurance company directly - you may want to return home especially if it is an extended problem. I would agree that medjet is a good thing to have and reasonably priced for a year coverage.

Hi Beachboi......yes, I dont' care how old you are ..TAKE TRAVEL INSURANCE.. Last year due to a severe snow storm could not leave on time and we received $$ back...When Parrot Pop was much younger..much.lol.. He endedup in a hospital a few days away from cruise with bleeding ulcers.. a few years ago had accident on a cruise ship...YOU JUST DON'T KNOW... You may not need it and hopefully you don't.. but as they say.........things happen.. no matter what your age...or perhaps it's your companion....