Many people think that Travel Insurance is just for major emergencies – medical issues, holiday cancellations etc.- but it covers many other things as well.
Check your policy — you might have missed out on claiming money you are entitled to!
Don’t already have a policy? Here are my quick recommendations (these are comparison websites, so will show you multiple quotes):
USA Recommendation (affiliate):
Aardy
UK Recommendation (affiliate):
Compare Your Cruise Insurance
#1 Delayed Flights
Even a short delay, over three hours in some cases, can result in compensation or reimbursement for the cost of the flight.
You don’t have to miss the flight entirely to be able to claim.
Most of us have been stuck in an airport terminal when our flight is delayed. It’s no fun at all, but the situation can be sweetened slightly if you know that you will receive some compensation for the inconvenience.
#2 Baggage Delays
If your bags arrive late, you can often claim for emergency clothes or toiletries, even if the bags show up the next day.
Many people just grumble – and never check their policy.
Airlines often provide cover for delayed baggage – but often it doesn’t apply unless your baggage is missing for some days. Your Travel Insurance policy might be a better bet.
When I flew back from Venice, my bags were left at Venice Airport. I knew this because my suitcase had an AirTag inside it.
The bag arrived home the next day and was delivered to my house by the courier, DPD.
I had flown with the low-cost airline Easyjet. Their baggage compensation amounts are low, and because I was returning home, I wasn’t eligible for their compensation at all!
Lost baggage is covered by my travel insurance policy, with much higher levels of compensation.
Essential items
Easyjet
If you’re away from home and your bag hasn’t been returned to you within 24 hours, we understand that you’ll need to buy essential toiletries and basic clothing. For this we’ll reimburse up to £25 per person per day, for up to three days (that’s a maximum of £75 per person in total). To claim the money back, please keep all receipts and submit them online within 21 days of your flight.
Find out all about my lost suitcase problem here:
My Suitcase Was Left Behind – Here’s How I Knew Before Everybody Else – and Got It Back
When my suitcase was left by the airline in Italy my air tags were SO helpful! I never ever travel without them.
#3 Missed Cruise Ports
This is the element of my Travel Insurance that I use most often.
Because of my line of business, I cruise regularly and regularly find that ports are missed or the itinerary changes. This doesn’t worry me because I mostly cruise to review the ship.
Most cruisers pick an itinerary because of the places they would like to visit. It can be very disappointing if a port is missed.
Your Travel Insurance policy might offer compensation if your ship skips a port due to weather, technical issues or unforeseen circumstances.
Many people miss out on this. It is more likely to happen on cruises with many tender ports.
You will need to get a letter or proof while you are still on the ship. If you go to Reception and ask for it, they will provide it.
The cruise company is not obliged to offer compensation for a missed port or a changed itinerary. The Captain will make the final decision on whether the ship docks or whether a last-minute change of itinerary is necessary.
This is written into the terms and conditions of your booking, so you should be aware of it.
I cover missed port cover more fully in this video:
I was very grateful to have missed port cover when I sailed on P&O’s Arvia.
Due to bad weather, Lisbon was cancelled, and we went to Gibraltar instead the following day. We also had a medical emergency and had to detour and dock late at night in Spain.
Then we found a lost lifeboat at sea and had to turn the ship around to retrieve it! Luckily, no one was onboard the lifeboat…
Find out all about that eventful cruise here:
#4 Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs
People seem to think that travel insurance covers only major medical emergencies, but this isn’t true.
Paid for medication, a doctor’s note, or a taxi to the hospital? Claim it back if you can.
Small expenses add up, and they’re often covered. Since you have paid for your travel insurance, you may as well claim some money back.
Travel insurance is really essential when you cruise. Find out about some real-life nightmares caused by people not having the correct insurance here:
5 Cruise Nightmares Caused by Not Having The Correct Travel Insurance (Real-Life Examples)
#5 Lost or Damaged Tech
Most of us travel with phones, tablets, and headphones, and most policies cover them under valuables.
Just make sure to report the loss properly and save receipts for gadgets you have purchased.
This aspect of the policy is very important to me. I film most of my videos on my iPhone, so if I lost it or if it were stolen, it would be a total disaster!
I would need to be able to replace it as soon as possible, or there would be no videos!
Don’t already have a policy? Here are my quick recommendations (these are comparison websites, so will show you multiple quotes):
USA Recommendation (affiliate):
Aardy
UK Recommendation (affiliate):
Compare Your Cruise Insurance
Before You Go
Find out why people get left behind at cruise ports, and whether you could claim on your Travel Insurance in a situation like that here:
What Actually Happens When You Miss The Cruise Ship?
Find out whether it is best to buy your travel insurance through the cruise line here:
Should You Buy Your Travel Insurance Through The Cruise Line or Directly from an Insurance Company?
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