Get a policy that puts you in cruise control
BRITONS booking a cruise holiday risk being cast adrift if they take out the wrong insurance policy.
One in three standard travel policies refuses to cover passengers while on a cruise, new research shows.
Almost two million Britons a year take a cruise but without proper cover they have no redress if they fall ill, have valuables lost or stolen, or see their trip curtailed or cancelled.
Financial information business Defaqto reviewed 1,895 single and multi-trip policies and found one in three does not cover cruise holidays as standard.
Brian Brown, head of insight at Defaqto, said insurers that do not offer cruise cover may do so for an extra premium: “But some will not cover cruises at all, so check before taking your policy.” Even if your insurer does offer cruise cover, terms and conditions can vary greatly. Brown added: “Only around half provide compensation for those confined to cabins under doctor’s orders. The average policy pays out around £60 per day – but this varies from as little as £10 to as much as £200.”
Many travellers take a further insurance risk by booking their trip up to 18 months in advance, so those with annual policies must remember to renew their policy to maintain cover, Brown explained.
New microsite Defaqto.com/ travel allows holidaymakers to compare cruise insurance features, such as payments for cabin confinement, missed departure from the UK, or missing a port of call because of bad weather or illness.