southdowns travel insurance cruise cover

8 travel insurance mistakes to avoid before your next cruise

The potential for unexpected and disruptive mishaps during your cruise is not something to ignore. Flight delays can lead to missed embarkations . A sudden medical emergency can result in passengers getting abandoned during port stops. Cruise lines can go bankrupt and strand travelers abroad.

As a consumer advocate, I receive hundreds of help requests each year from distraught cruisers whose trips didn't go as planned. Each time, I'm struck by how different their situation might have been if they'd only purchased an insurance policy. Cruise travel insurance can often save the day if you get hit by a surprise calamity before or during your cruise.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Of course, though, that's only true if you have a policy with the correct type of insurance coverage. Travel insurance mistakes and misunderstandings are common among cruise ship passengers and can lead to travelers finding themselves uninsured or under-insured when they encounter a problem on their trip.

That's something TPG wants to help you avoid. Here are the most common cruise travel insurance mistakes I've encountered so you will know how to make better choices for your next vacation at sea.

Not buying travel insurance because you expect to take the cruise

Not even considering travel insurance is by far the top mistake I see made by cruise ship passengers. I'm always surprised when a cruiser tells me they didn't buy travel insurance because they didn't expect to cancel their trip.

This is a common defense offered by travelers caught in expensive situations that travel insurance would have easily covered.

The idea that you don't need travel insurance because you don't expect to cancel your cruise is flawed at its most basic level. The fact is, travel insurance is meant to protect you from unexpected events that cause you to cancel or interrupt your cruise.

Before you reject the idea of travel insurance to protect your next cruise, consider what will happen if:

• You get sick or injured before or during the trip.
• You lose your job and can't afford to go.
• You or a family member is hospitalized or dies.
• Your flight is canceled or delayed and you miss embarkation.
• The airline loses your bags on the way to the cruise ship.

That's just a sampling of surprise events that comprehensive travel insurance could cover (depending on the policy). However, if you don't have a policy protecting you and you're in your cruise contract's penalty zone, you will miss your vacation and won't get your money back.

Related: Is travel insurance worth it?

Not budgeting for travel insurance

Another frequent excuse I hear from cruise ship passengers about why they didn't purchase travel insurance is the cost. That can be a short-sighted decision, though; if something goes wrong, an uninsured traveler can end up owing far more than the price of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Consider what would happen if you had an accident during a shore excursion and needed to be medically evacuated. Those emergency services can easily cost $50,000 or more, depending on your location. During a recent cruise to Antarctica, I was required by Aurora Expeditions to have $250,000 of medical evacuation insurance. Traveling to remote locations — or even not-so-remote locations — without medical evacuation coverage could be life-altering if you end up in a catastrophic emergency.

If you intend to spend thousands of dollars to take a cruise, it's always a good idea to budget some of your vacation funds for a travel insurance policy that minimally covers medical care and evacuation home. If you don't, you leave yourself wide open to medical bills, cancellation penalties and more.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Buying travel 'protection' from your tour operator

A handful of tour operators and cruise lines sell something called "Travel Protection" or "Travel Waiver," which a sales rep will offer to you when you purchase your cruise. If you're booking online, a pop-up will appear before you complete your reservation. It will say something like "Warning! Protect your investment with our Travel Protection Plan" or "Get peace of mind with Travel Protection."

This product isn't called travel insurance because it isn't travel insurance — it's a hybrid product.

The travel insurance industry is highly regulated. If you buy a policy through an actual travel insurance company, you will be protected by specific laws and regulations. If you have a complaint about your travel insurance policy or claim, you can escalate your problem to your state's insurance board .

Most importantly, travel insurance companies have underwriters, so consumers have a safety net if something goes catastrophically wrong with the travel insurance company.

If you purchase travel protection instead, many safety protocols meant to protect consumers who buy travel insurance will not apply to you.

Before buying one of these policies, it's critical to understand what you're purchasing. Travel Protection has two parts:

Part A: This is predeparture cancellation protection (the passenger's cancellation) and is a self-insured product provided entirely by the cruise line or tour operator. There is no underwriter. This is often advertised as a "cancel for any reason" policy, but that moniker is often misunderstood by the travelers who buy this product. I'll explain further below.

Part B: This is post-departure protection and will be an actual travel insurance policy provided by a third-party insurance company. That part of the plan will provide medical coverage, emergency evacuation protection, trip interruption and more.

Because Part A is not a travel insurance product, passengers are putting their "investment" in a precarious situation should the cruise line or tour operator go out of business or become insolvent. If the operator has no money to pay the claims, there is no safety net without an underwriter. Thus, the customers will be left empty-handed.

That's the unfortunate situation that many Vantage Deluxe World Travel customers found themselves in last June. When the tour operator canceled all future tours and filed for bankruptcy , it owed $108 million to roughly 10,000 customers. Many of those would-be travelers had approved Part A (predeparture) Vantage Travel Protection claims and were waiting for payment when the company went belly-up.

Other Vantage customers erroneously believed that Part B of the pricey travel protection plan would protect them under all circumstances — including bankruptcy.

Far too late, these stunned travelers read through their policies and discovered the truth about that expensive protection: It was worthless if the company had no money to pay its bills, and neither part of the plan had an insolvency or bankruptcy clause.

Of course, that is an extreme case. A typical cruise ship passenger is much more likely to encounter a less dramatic issue with this type of travel protection, usually regarding "cancel for any reason" coverage .

Travel protection policies are often advertised as having "cancel for any reason" coverage, but the fine print reveals that only a few specific circumstances allow a traveler to cancel and receive a cash refund. For anything not listed as a legitimate reason to cancel for a monetary payment, the cruiser will receive a future travel voucher.

If you choose to buy a travel protection product instead of a travel insurance policy, make absolutely certain you read through the entire document and understand what you're buying.

Related: The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Assuming your health insurance will cover you on the ship

Hopefully, you'll never discover through experience that shipboard medical care can come at an astronomical cost. Many cruise passengers have learned this lesson only after falling ill during their trip. But the worst news comes after the bill arrives: Most domestic health insurance plans — including basic Medicare — do not provide international coverage.

That means as soon as your cruise ship sails into international waters, you're medically uninsured. Any healthcare bills you accrue during your trip will be your responsibility.

It's not hard to imagine just how expensive and devastating it could be for an uninsured cruiser who becomes sick or injured on vacation. To make matters worse, cruise lines and foreign hospitals expect payment at the time services are rendered. No matter the circumstances, you'll be expected to pay immediately.

And I do mean no matter what the circumstances. A widow once contacted me soon after her husband had suddenly died aboard Holland America 's Eurodam.

The shock of losing her spouse was made even worse by what she viewed as the callous attitude of the crew member who handed her a bill for her husband's failed treatment — and expected her to pay before she was disembarked at the next port of call.

Unfortunately, that couple had assumed their Medicare plan was protecting them during their Caribbean cruise. It wasn't. (Note: There are supplementary Medigap plans that can provide international health care benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. These policies come at an additional cost and have coverage limitations and caps. Before using one, travelers should review all the details of the plan.)

While this woman's situation was extreme, accidents and illnesses happen all the time on fun-filled cruises. You don't want a lack of insurance to make those events more catastrophic than they are.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy can provide not only healthcare coverage abroad but also medical evacuation and repatriation — services that can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Related: What happens if you get sick on a cruise?

Not reading and understanding the travel insurance policy

Travel insurance policies are many pages long and often contain confusing terms. Many travelers buy policies that seem acceptable, and they gloss over the details. However, if you don't review and understand the travel insurance policy you've purchased, that mistake can have giant repercussions.

A one-size-fits-all travel insurance policy does not exist. The choices of travel insurance products available for cruise ship passengers are extensive, with options from basic to full coverage.

To know exactly which protections you've purchased, you must thoroughly read all the details of your plan. Each policy will have a list of named perils. If something on that list causes the cancellation or interruption of your trip, you can claim coverage. If the circumstances you're facing are not on that list, you're out of luck.

Not only should you pay attention to the named covered events, but equally important are the exclusions — conditions that can invalidate your policy. For instance, if you're planning on zip lining, bungee jumping, rock climbing or participating in any other extreme adventure, you'll want to make sure your policy doesn't exclude risky activities.

The travel insurance industry provides a generous lookover period, usually 10 to 15 days after purchase. Always use that two-week window to carefully review your policy. Do not skim over details you don't understand and hope for the best. If you need help understanding the fine print, contact the travel insurance company for clarification.

If you determine during that time that the policy doesn't provide the coverage you want and need, you can request a refund and continue your search. After that lookover period, your travel insurance policy is neither refundable nor changeable.

Related: The best travel insurance policies and providers

Waiting too long to purchase travel insurance for the cruise

A common mistake some cruise ship passengers make is waiting too long to buy travel insurance.

The general rule of thumb is that if you intend to insure your trip, you should purchase that protection at the same time you start to make prepaid, nonrefundable reservations. That includes airfare, excursions, pre- or post-cruise hotels and anything else for which you will not receive a refund if you need to cancel the trip.

Travel insurance coverage typically begins to protect you the day after you purchase the policy. So, at any time after that, if a covered event happens to you and causes you to cancel your trip, you'll be protected from financial penalties. Of course, if you wait too long to purchase your travel insurance for your cruise and an unexpected event occurs, you won't be able to buy a retroactive policy.

If you enter the cancellation penalty phase of your cruise contract, you've waited too long to buy travel insurance. In fact, some companies won't allow you to purchase travel insurance after that date.

Not disclosing a preexisting condition

Not disclosing a preexisting condition is a travel insurance mistake that can have devastating consequences. Although buying a policy that covers a preexisting condition is possible, it's a bit more complicated.

Cruise ship passengers with preexisting conditions should be aware that their window to purchase travel insurance is abbreviated. Most travel insurance companies require travelers with preexisting conditions to purchase travel insurance within 14 to 21 days after making their initial trip deposit.

If you've been diagnosed with any medical problems in the 12 months preceding your trip or have a persistent condition, you must be certain to:

• Buy a policy that specifically names coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Make your travel insurance purchase within the first 14 to 21 days after putting a deposit down on your trip.

Cruisers who file a travel insurance claim for a medical problem related to a preexisting condition will be at great risk of having that claim rejected.

Underinsuring the cost of the entire cruise package

Travel insurance can significantly increase the cost of your cruise vacation. Prices vary based on the level of protection you choose, the age of all travelers on the policy, the length of the trip and the state where you live. If you wish to be fully protected, it's critical not to undervalue your trip.

If you lowball the cost of your cruise and something goes wrong, your claim will only be paid based on the value of what you insured. Passengers who have purchased an annual insurance plan should pay careful attention to the limits on their policy. It can be easy to accidentally underinsure your cruise if you're relying on an annual travel insurance policy with a per-trip or per-year cap.

Cruise ship passengers should always insure every nonrefundable, prepaid part of their itinerary. That includes the cruise, airfare, hotels and third-party excursions.

Bottom line

Cruise travel insurance can provide peace of mind and protection from the repercussions of unexpected events that could ruin your vacation and wreck your wallet.

Purchasing travel insurance does not have to be a chore. Follow these easy steps for success:

• Use a website like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth to compare various policies and cruise travel insurance providers.
• Read your policy and ensure you understand what's covered and how to file a claim if needed.
• Carry a copy of your travel insurance card during your cruise, which will have a toll-free number if you need help.
• Enjoy your cruise.

If you have a problem with a travel insurance company, cruise line, airline, car rental agency or hotel, send your request for help to [email protected] , and I'll be happy to investigate.

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Table of Contents

What to look for in cruise insurance

Factors we considered when picking the best cruise insurance companies, an overview of the best cruise insurance, best cruise insurance options, more resources for cruise travel insurance shoppers.

Cruising is back, but many travelers are still reluctant to board ships alongside thousands of other travelers. Cruise insurance has you covered if:

You need to be reimbursed for canceling your trip.

Your flight to the port gets delayed.

You need to pay for medical care if you get sick on board.

You need to fly home in case of an emergency.

Of course, there's much more than just this list that cruise insurance can cover.

No matter the reason you might be looking for coverage, here are some of the best cruise insurance companies available to help bring you peace of mind on your next experience at sea:

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Travel Guard by AIG .

When shopping for cruise insurance, make sure to look for coverage that offers the following:

Trip delay and cancellation.

Medical expenses, including emergency evacuation.

The option to cancel for any reason (including COVID-19).

Adventure activities if you’re planning certain onshore excursions.

Cruise insurance isn’t much different than traditional travel insurance. Any good travel insurance should cover cruises in addition to travel by air or car.

After our analysis, we've determined these are some of the best cruise insurance options available.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We used the following factors to choose top insurance providers to highlight:

Specifics of coverage: Including what coverage plans include and whether they offer useful coverage and benefits for cruises specifically.

Amount of coverage: Including the maximum payouts for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: We compared prices to determine average costs across basic plans.

Customizability: We checked to see if policies allow users to customize options to suit their specific needs.

» Learn more: The guide to cruise travel insurance

We searched for quotes from several companies for a seven-day trip in February 2023 from the U.S. to Mexico. The traveler was 35 years old, from Georgia, and planned to spend $2,500 total on the whole trip, including airfare.

The average price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $124. These policies didn't include optional add-ons, such as Cancel for Any Reason coverage or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions .

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Here’s a closer look at our five recommendations for cruise insurance and what makes them unique.

Allianz Global Assistance

What makes allianz global assistance a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Multiple policies are available for international and domestic travel.

Plans offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage for COVID-19.

Offers emergency medical and transportation.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic plan cost $106, slightly below average.

World Nomads

What makes world nomads a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Adventure activities like mountain biking and scuba diving are covered, perfect for land-based experienced (though which sports are covered varies from plan to plan).

Offers comprehensive travel insurance plans for domestic and international travel.

Larger-than-average coverage for baggage loss and delays.

For our test trip, World Nomad’s basic plan cost $63, well below average. But the actual trip cost isn’t taken into consideration for trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

What makes berkshire hathaway travel protection a top choice for cruise insurance:.

A wide range of comprehensive plans cover cancellation, emergency medical and transportation coverage, and emergency travel assistance.

A cruise-specific plan includes some compensation for cruise disablement and the most emergency medical and evacuation coverage of any of these plans.

There are many plans available, including plans that cover adventure activities.

A Berkshire Hathaway WaveCare cruise-specific plan was $202, quite a bit more than average, but with the most medical evacuation coverage.

Travelex Insurance Services

What makes travelex insurance services a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Three comprehensive plans are available.

Kids-included pricing is available with the Travel Select plan.

There's an option to add accidental death and dismemberment coverage to the basic plan.

The Travel Basic plan from Travelex Insurance Services cost $116 for our sample trip; just below the average for plans listed here.

Travel Guard by AIG

What makes travel guard by aig a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is available as an optional upgrade on two plans.

A pre-existing condition waiver is also available as an add-on.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a basic Essential plan for $133, just a little higher than average, but adding coverage may raise that price.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for cruise travel insurance.

The best travel insurance companies.

The best credit cards for cruises .

What is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

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What Does Travel Insurance Cover for a Cruise? Six Key Benefits

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Cruise Monkeys

Bananas about cruising

Do you need to add Cruise Cover to your Travel Insurance?

Its an important question to consider when looking for insurance to cover your cruise: Do I need to add Cruise Cover to my Travel Insurance?

When planning a cruise, the excitement of all the planning for the ports you will visit and what you will get up to onboard often takes centre stage. However, amidst all the excitement, it’s crucial not to overlook a key aspect of your travel preparations: insurance!

While most travel insurance policies cover cruises, adding specific cruise cover offers a range of additional benefits that can safeguard your trip against unforeseen events.

Standard Travel Insurance for Cruises

Standard travel insurance typically includes essential coverage such as trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and delays. However, cruises have unique elements that standard travel insurance may not fully address. This is where adding cruise cover becomes beneficial.

The Benefits of Cruise Cover

We’ve taken a look at CoverForYou * which offers Cruise Cover to their policies from £7 per person to see what benefits there are, when taking out this add on.

Missed Port Cover: Cruises often include multiple ports of call, however, due to weather conditions, mechanical issues, or even timetable restrictions, a ship might miss a scheduled port, with no alternative offered. Missed port cover compensates you for these missed stops, ensuring you don’t lose out financially if an expected port on your trip is skipped.  You’re even covered for things like accommodation and travel if you arrive late at your departure point, or if you miss your ship at a point of call because of an unexpected delay like bad weather or a traffic incident.

Cabin Confinement Cover: No-one wants to get ill on a cruise, but should the worst happen, the strict health protocols on ship may result in you being confined to your cabin. Cabin confinement cover provides compensation for the days you are unable to enjoy the ship’s amenities and activities. This cover ensures that your cruise experience is not entirely lost due to illness.

Unused Excursions Cover: Pre-booked excursions are a popular part of cruise vacations, offering tailored experiences at various ports of call, but these are not cheap! If your cruise itinerary changes or you are unable to participate in an excursion due to illness or injury, unused excursions cover ensures that you are reimbursed for these prepaid activities. This way, you don’t lose money on experiences you couldn’t enjoy.

Importance of Reading the Policy Wording

Before purchasing travel insurance, it’s essential to read the policy wording thoroughly. Insurance policies can vary widely in terms of what they cover, the extent of the coverage, and the exclusions.

Some key points to consider include:

• Coverage Limits: Verify the maximum amounts payable for various types of claims.
• Exclusions: Be aware of any circumstances or activities that are not covered.
• Claim Procedures: Understand the process for filing claims, including required documentation and deadlines.

If you would like to get a cruise travel insurance quote, take a look at CoverForYou * who offer Defaqto five-star Expert rated travel insurance and cruise cover which now includes “Doctor Please!”: A brand new service CoverForYou is now offering all policyholders free of charge and provides 24/7 access to a virtual UK doctor for on the spot medical advice and prescriptions, no matter where you are.  You can use it as many times as you like.

Why not take a look at this article next: Exciting news – Book your cruise with Cruise Monkeys!

Exciting news – Book your cruise with Cruise Monkeys!

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Travel Insurance for a Cruise

The appeal of cruises is that so many of the activities and amenities are included for you. But you may want to add cruise insurance to your packing list. 

You may not always be required to have travel insurance for a cruise, but having cruise travel insurance may ease your mind if an unforeseen event were to occur on your trip. 

  What Is Cruise Travel Insurance? 

Cruise travel insurance is an added layer of coverage to your travel plans, specifically geared toward cruise trips. It is a type of insurance you would purchase specifically geared to protect against cruise-specific incidents: 

• Port-of-call itinerary changes made by the cruise line 
• Last-minute cancellations made by the cruise line 
• Ship mechanical problems or breakdowns 
• Disruptions to shipboard services 
• Missed port connection  

Where travel insurance covers protection against injury or illness, expenses for lost luggage, or cancellations, cruise travel insurance covers those, plus events that may happen on your cruise. Cruise insurance typically covers: 

• Trip interruptions 
• Trip cancellations 
• Medical evacuations or emergencies 
• Sickness or injury 
• Ship disablement 
• Lost luggage 
• Missed connection 
• Inclement Weather 

Cruise insurance covers prepaid, non-refundable expenses such as airfare, hotels, and expedition deposits. 

Does Cruise Travel Insurance Cover My Flight? 

Yes! AXA’s Travel Protection plans can offer coverage for certain prepaid, non-refundable expenses, such as airfare, associated with your cruise. 

Is Cruise Travel Insurance Mandatory? 

Not always. Cruise insurance may not always be required; some carriers may allow you to board without it. Emergencies can occur anywhere, anytime, and you don’t want to be without coverage if any unfortunate situation arises on your cruise trip (or before it). 

Do I need Travel Insurance for Domestic Cruises? 

Your cruise line may or may not require travel insurance to cover your medical expenses and emergency evacuations, but there can be several other situations that may warrant travel insurance. These include last-minute cancellations or unforeseen events like bad weather, ship breakdowns causing significant delays, itinerary changes, or missing your ship.  

Does AXA Travel Insurance Cover Cruises? 

Yes, AXA offers  travel protection plans for cruises. AXA’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans offer travel protection benefits to help cruisers steer with peace of mind on their next cruise voyage. The specific coverage provided can vary depending on the plan you choose, but some of the common coverages that may be included in AXA Travel Protection Plans for cruises are: 

• Trip Cancellation:  This coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your cruise due to a covered reason such as illness or injury. 
• Trip Interruption:  This coverage can provide reimbursement for unused portions of your cruise if you have to interrupt your trip due to a covered reason, such as a medical emergency. 
• Emergency Medical and Dental Expenses:  This coverage may assist with payment for medical or dental expenses incurred while on your cruise due to illness or injury due to a covered reason. 
• Emergency Evacuation:  This coverage may include payment for emergency medical transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility due to a covered reason such as illness or injury while on your cruise and require medical attention that is not available on the ship. 
• Baggage Loss or Delay:  This coverage can reimburse you for the cost of replacing lost or delayed baggage. 
• COVID coverage: If your trip is interrupted or even canceled due to COVID, our plans covers unused prepaid expenses. 
• 24/7 Assistance Services: AXA’s travel plans also include 24/7 assistance services, such as travel and medical assistance, concierge services, and emergency travel services, which can be helpful if you need assistance during your cruise. 

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  Disclaimer:  It's important to note that the specific coverage and terms and conditions of each plan can vary, so it's a good idea to review the policy documents carefully to understand the coverage provided and any exclusions or limitations that may apply

How Does Crusie Travel Insurance Work? 

Like other travel insurance plans, you need to be sure you purchase cruise insurance well before your trip. Most agencies recommend you purchase within 14 days of paying for your trip deposit. The earlier you buy insurance, the greater your coverage window. 

And, like other travel insurance, you’re offered reimbursement or protection against covered incidents. Talk with a licensed agent today to get specifics for your plan’s notification window. 

How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost? 

You can expect cruise insurance to run around 5-8% of your total trip prepaid expense cost.  

Other Things to Consider 

Like any other type of insurance, buying a policy for your cruise trip requires taking a close look at it to ensure it offers what you need. Here are a few key things you must consider: 

Does your health insurance cover medical expenses onboard a ship? 

Many people assume that their health insurance will cover any medical expenses that may be incurred on domestic cruises—but this isn’t always the rule. Some insurance providers do not offer medical coverage onboard a ship or if it is an international cruise.   Be sure to check with your healthcare insurance provider before departing. 

Do you or your traveling companion have a pre-existing condition? 

AXA offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with the Gold and Platinum plans. The availability and terms of coverage for pre-existing medical conditions may vary depending on the specific plan you choose, the nature of your condition, and your state of residency.     If you have a pre-existing medical condition and wish to obtain coverage under an AXA travel protection plan, you will need to meet certain criteria: 

• Your pre-existing medical condition was diagnosed 60 days prior to your effective policy date 
• Your premium for pre-existing medical coverage is received within the time-sensitive period of 14 days of the initial trip deposit date 
• You are medically able to travel on your departure date 

Travel Insurance & Credit Cards 

Many major credit card companies offer travel protections, such as trip cancellation or trip interruption reimbursement benefits. In fact, many people even redeem credit card points to fund their travel. 

However, it’s important to note that cruise travel insurance offers additional protection that isn’t covered by your basic credit card benefit. AXA’s travel protection plans offer the ability to cancel for any reason, with greater coverage protection against claims for baggage loss, medical claims, or missed connections. 

How Do I Get Cruise Insurance? 

Check out AXA’s Travel Plan Guide to see which plan is right for you. 

Need Help Choosing a Plan? 

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual Insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.    Receive a  free quote  within minutes  Or call us at 855-327-1441 to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors.  Monday-Saturday, 8AM-7PM Central Time    Also see:  Plan Comparison Table  | Silver Plan |  Gold Plan  |  Platinum Plan   

Disclaimer 

AXA Assistance cannot guarantee the availability of assistance services everywhere or under all conditions, as there may be times when circumstances beyond AXA’s control hinder its endeavors to provide services. 

The insurance benefits in the Silver, Gold and Platinum plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies including Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Benefits are administered by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. (in California, doing business as AXA Assistance Insurance Services, License Number 0H74893). Non-insurance assistance services are provided by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. and are not underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.    

AXA already looks after millions of people around the world

With our travel insurance we can take great care of you too

Get AXA Travel Insurance and travel worry free!

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip.

Her $5,500 infirmary bill was higher than the cruise itself: How she got it covered

• Travel insurance is a must for cruises, as medical bills can be high.
• Even a low level of travel insurance can cover medical bills from your ship.
• If you opt for a comprehensive trip policy, you’ll be fully covered for trip cancellation plus medical expenses.

After taking a Caribbean cruise with her mother last year, Megan Ayscue didn’t think she’d end up with a medical bill that would cost more than the cruise itself. 

The North Carolina-based traveler and her mother boarded the Norwegian Pearl in November to visit the Dominican Republic, Curaçao and other island destinations. The two were enjoying the trip until Ayscue went snorkeling in the Dominican Republic a few days in and got water stuck in her ear.

At first, she went to an infirmary in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but the problem wasn’t resolved. Thankfully, her medical insurance covered the visit. Back on board, Ayscue went to the ship’s infirmary, where she was given oral antibiotics, Tylenol and ear drops. Her ear still hurt, so she went back to the infirmary the next day while the ship was at sea and was diagnosed with a bacterial infection that was spreading to her face. 

What happens if you get sick or injured (or bitten by a monkey) on a cruise ship

“My ear had completely swelled shut. I could not hear out of my left ear. It was so painful, and I couldn’t feel the side of my face,” she said. The infection had spread into her lymph nodes, numbing the left side of her face.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Ayscue received an IV infusion of steroids, anti-inflammatory medicine, antibiotics and anti-nausea medicine. The doctors told her to return the next day for another infusion. Ayscue said her experience with the onboard infirmary was positive and healed her infection, but she left with a bill of $5,528.29. Since Ayscue didn’t have the money at the time, her mother put it on her credit card.

Back home, Ayscue waited six months to hear that her insurer denied covering her medical expenses from the cruise. Her parents had to shift money around to cover Ayscue’s medical bill, and because her mother had booked the cruise on the same credit card, struggled to make her monthly payments.

Norwegian Cruise Line told USA TODAY that “we strongly encourage guests to file a claim with their health insurance provider post-cruise.” 

There was, however, one saving grace. Thankfully, the family had purchased travel insurance for the cruise because Ayscue’s mother had experienced a heart attack a few years ago. That insurance, which cost about $300, ended up covering every cent of the medical bill. 

“It ended up basically saving me and my parents from a financial cliff,” she said. 

Unfortunately, Ayscue’s experience is not unusual, and a hefty medical bill on cruise ships can be expected, even for typical medical problems that warrant a little medical attention, such as seasickness or infections. 

“It’s unfortunately extremely uncommon,” said Jenna Hummer, public relations director at travel insurance platform Squaremouth. “Our highest recommendation for medical coverage is always for cruises.” 

Here’s everything you need to know about travel insurance and cruising.

Why do I need travel insurance for my cruise?

For starters, cruise ships are nearly always out-of-network from your typical medical insurance. “It’s not like you’ll have a co-pay, no, you’ll probably have to pay out-of-network costs and have an astronomically high bill if you break your ankle,” Hummer said. 

“The thing about cruising is if you get sick on the boat, you obviously have limited resources, so those resources cost more. It’s like dining on top of a mountain or an island − it’s just harder to get supplies, so it can cost more.”

Even a low level of travel insurance can cover medical bills from your ship, but it also goes far beyond that − for example, if you need medical care in a foreign country or to return home early. Even if you port in a U.S. territory and go to a hospital there, it’s likely that visit will be out-of-network for your insurance as well.  

Travelers prone to getting seasick or planning on a “high-risk activity” like jet skiing or scuba diving should also consider travel insurance for that extra protection if things go south.

What does travel insurance cover on a cruise?

It depends on what option you purchase. Emergency medical travel insurance will be your cheapest option at around $50. That is, unless you’re considered to be at a higher risk of needing medical care − for example, if you’re 65 years and older, or going to a destination that’s considered high-risk or harbors communicable diseases. 

“By purchasing a travel insurance policy with emergency medical and emergency medical transportation benefits, cruisers can be reimbursed for the cost of emergency medical care up to their policy limit, whether they’re seeking care directly on the cruise ship or at their port of call,” said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA, which allows people to compare travel insurances. 

If you opt for a comprehensive trip policy – which does cost more, 5% to 10% of your trip – you’ll be fully covered for trip cancellation plus medical expenses. “You’ll have 100% of your trip costs covered, but you’ll have options for how much medical coverage you want, like $10,000 or up to $1 million for medical evacuation coverage,” Hummer said. (A medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars.)

“It’s not a lot of money to insure yourself from a medical perspective,” she said. 

“It’s better we spent those $300 for peace of mind and then it actually came in handy,” Ayscue said. 

But if you’re intoxicated while visiting the infirmary, it’s possible your claim for travel insurance will be denied, Hummer added. So be careful with drinking. Pregnancy complications are also not typically included, although if you feel seasickness and are also pregnant, that will be covered.

For what it’s worth, travel insurance that’s more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better or covers more, so shop around and compare what’s included, Hummer said.

Can I buy travel insurance through my cruise line?

Technically you can, as most cruise lines offer some type of insurance, but it won’t be the best coverage. “Usually, they have very specific exclusions to keep an eye out for, like, they’ll only refund you a small portion of your trip if you get sick and there’s a very small timeline,” Hummer said. Basically, if you want to buy your cruise line’s insurance, read the fine print carefully. 

When should I get travel insurance for my cruise?

For the most part, the earlier you get travel insurance, the more coverage you get. However, factors such as where you depart and the time of year also play a role. 

“If you’re flying into Miami to board a cruise ship and it’s the middle of hurricane season, buy your travel insurance today,” Hummer said. “Alaska probably hasn’t seen a hurricane in forever, so it’s probably OK (to wait.)”

Buying travel insurance the day before your trip doesn’t necessarily affect the cost of insurance as it does the cost of flights, just what’s covered. If a storm is predicted before you purchase insurance, then that probably won't be covered by the time you do.

“Buying travel insurance as soon as you book your cruise is a smart move,” Durazo said. 

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Southdownsinsurance   Reviews

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Reviews 4.5.

5,102 total

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Wouldn't recommend

An absolute hassle trying to sort my gadget cover out on travel insurance. Had my phone stolen whilst on holiday. Had to send multiple documents to show proof of ownership, theft and police report. All of which took several working days to process. Due to having no phone of-course i purchased a new one. After nearly 2 weeks im told my claim is accepted and to pay £50 excess. To then be told i will be sent a REFURBISHED phone and wont offer cash settlement despite having proof ive already bought a new phone. My phone was brand new less than 7 months old. I now have 2 iphones, one of which is refurbished and is obviously not a ‘like for like’ replacement which they claim it is. Pay the extra and buy a good phone insurance or you’ll be left out of pocket like me 👍🏽 shocking service/policy

Date of experience : 19 July 2024

Reply from Southdownsinsurance

Dear Customer, We are very sorry to learn of your experience and appreciate the time you have taken to provide your feedback. Your feedback is very valuable to both Southdowns, AXA Partners and Davies group and will be used to help improve our service and product to ensure we can continue to meet the high standard we strive to deliver. If you have not registered a complaint and would like to discuss your concerns in further detail, please do use the below contact methods in order to speak with the relevant Complaints Team. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0345 074 4813 Once again, we thank you for sharing your feedback. Kind Regards Southdowns, AXA Partners and Davies Group.

Holiday insurance

Hi after some time I eventually got a response from the customer service and to their credit they have updated my insurance policy and at no extra cost. Just in time for my holiday. May have took a lot longer than it should have but in the end they did manage to sort it. So thanks again.

Date of experience : 04 June 2024

Clear answer on policy question

Very happy with the service for new customers as they got back to me over email on a slightly complex policy question and gave me a clear answer, unlike other travel insurers I reached out to. Now a paying customer :)

Date of experience : 16 March 2024

Fantastic travel insurance ✈️

Great single or multi trip travel insurance provider. Very customisable and can be tailored to travel needs and cover requirements. Cost is very good and always use Southdown for our travel insurance. Communication is very good and all documents and support services details are provided.

Date of experience : 02 October 2023

The staff are efficient

The staff are efficient, polite and friendly. The cost of travel insurance is competitive. I have therefore insured for three single trips already this year with Southdowns.

Date of experience : 03 June 2024

What a shame you do not do any annual…

What a shame you do not do any annual policy for frequent users like me who are fit and over 70. But as ever, I obtain a quote on line, and then phone to discuss the matter, and you give excellent discounts. Your staff are efficient and helpful and your website user-friendly. Thank you very much

Date of experience : 26 January 2024

Fantastic service Travel Insurance

When I took out my travel policy I had made a mistake on the name. I called Southdown who fixed the problem in minutes. On my return my flight was delayed 26 hours. I opened a claim with them and within a week and had received my payment as per the policy. I cannot recommend them enough and will absolutely be using them as my go to insurer going forwards.

Date of experience : 12 February 2024

I was connected to a real person.What joy!

I was connected to a real person very easily -- which is massively appreciated. He was very friendly and efficient. The whole transaction was smooth, easy and unstressful. I must emphasise how important it is as a customer to feel empowered in the transaction, by being able to engage with a human being instead of a chat bot or other totally frustrating platform.

Date of experience : 08 February 2024

Very positive experience

I don't normally write reviews, but I was keen to do so given my very positive experience of Southdowns. Purchasing the insurance was very easy and the price paid seemed very competitive. My policy was bought ahead of travelling abroad on holiday with my parents. Unfortunately, I missed my return flight owing to adverse weather conditions. This delay meant that I had to pay for one night's accommodation and a new airline ticket. Once I was back in the UK making a claim was reasonably straight forward and the policy documentation clearly set out the evidence required to process my claim. Once my claim had been approved I was reimbursed within 24 hours - much quicker than expected! Finally, just to say that my parents took out an insurance policy with another provider. Unfortunately, their policy did not pay out because the travel delay was under 12 hours. This detail is something that they'll pay close attention to when buying a future policy and I thought it worth flagging up for others.

Date of experience : 15 March 2024

Travel insurance

I phoned up to purchase travel insurance and the staff member I spoke to was very helpful and made my experience great!

Date of experience : 05 June 2024

Easy to use

Quick, easy to use, used before, reasonably priced...

Date of experience : 27 June 2024

So far so good

Not had to use as such yet but they were efficient in making an amendment and answered the phone relatively quickly. The advisor was pleasant, polite and efficient.

Date of experience : 18 March 2024

Exceptionally good insurance site

Found Southdowninsurance on a search engine site. Found the right travel insurance policy that was easily tailored to my exact requirements. Will certainly be using Southdown again.

Date of experience : 09 January 2024

One of those you need but hope you will…

One of those you need but hope you will never need. However, cover is comprehensive and reasonably priced.

Date of experience : 06 May 2024

Renewed policy quickly helpful service.

Bit of a wait to get through to an agent but when connected the agent was helpful and polite. I needed to update some details and this was done effectively. The renewed policy was explained clearly and I am happy with the service provided today.

Date of experience : 14 May 2024

It was a very pleasant insurance buying…

It was a very pleasant insurance buying experience - great service, a good price, and a knowledgeable and engaging person on the other end of the phone. I'm not one to leave reviews but on this occasion, I felt compelled to do so

Date of experience : 21 March 2024

Great and easy website to use

Great and easy website to use, easy to work and follow One thing I would recommend for them to look at is under the couple description, some couples don’t live together but still go on holiday and under the info it does not say that. Other then that great and super easy. Definitely use this website next time we go on holiday.

Date of experience : 06 March 2024

Southdowns travel insurance

I have used Southdowns travel insurance for several years now. They are easy to contact. Very clear when talking to them. Excellent price.

Date of experience : 24 February 2024

Quick, easy and informative.

Very helpful customer service.

Date of experience : 24 July 2024

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Reviews 4.5.

5,102 total

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Renewal quick and easy

Renewal quick and easy to achieve over the phone. Amazingly the annual travel insurance went down and not up! Thank you

Date of experience : 23 July 2024

Brilliant service

Brilliant service, great value for money.

Date of experience : 24 July 2024

Friendly, helpful and professional!

I purchased holiday insurance, but then my health situation changed. I phoned them to see what they could do, and they were very helpful and gave me a good price for a new policy.

Date of experience : 08 June 2024

The advisor was very helpful

The advisor was very helpful, and knowledgeable. This is the second time I have used them.

Date of experience : 20 July 2024

Helpful call handlers with knowledge to…

Helpful call handlers with knowledge to guide people through the quote process. Always happy to help with questions and give alternative options.

Date of experience : 05 July 2024

I’ve used this insurance broker a few…

I’ve used this insurance broker a few times this year and found them to give a good price and good insurance coverage. The application process is pretty straightforward too.

Date of experience : 12 July 2024

very helpful and knowledgable

Date of experience : 22 July 2024

Had to speak to two separate people…

Had to speak to two separate people today and feel that both were very professional and polite and helped with everything I needed. The cover is pretty good and I have been using them for many years and every time I contact them they have been really super helpful.

Date of experience : 14 June 2024

So far so good

So far so good. I chose cover for my 12yr old son who was travelling alone and felt the cover was great value for money. I’m using them again for his upcoming trip.

Date of experience : 01 July 2024

Helpful consultant

Spoke to a lovely lady called Nicky , she was so helpful , and friendly answered all my questions and gave a loyalty discount , wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Southdowns insurance and your consultant Nicky is a credit ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Travel Insurance

Got travel insurance with them for a trip to Dubai. Unfortunately had a medical emergency out there for the first time in my life, and needed treatment. Customer services gave me some useful advice on what to do, and reimbursed me a few weeks later after i made a claim.

Date of experience : 27 November 2023

Fantastic help on customer service

Fantastic help on customer service, lovely lady went patiently through my cover and got the best deal with full assurance that I was perfectly covered

Date of experience : 20 June 2024

Renewal of travel insurance

I rang about renewing my travel insurance but needed to make some alterations. The lady I spoke to was very helpful. Sorted it straight away.

Date of experience : 13 June 2024

Travel insurance quote

The people on the phone (Nikki and Caitlin) were empathetic, extremely competent, and understanding. Even when we were accidentally cut off (probably our fault) we could start where we left off, rather than start again. Will definitely use Southdowns again because of them.

Date of experience : 04 March 2024

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! Myself and my family could not travel in March due to being extremely unwell with covid. We are still waiting on our claim being approved - anytime we phone we get the same story. Why sell travel insurance and then when customers need to use it, it’s virtually impossible!!!

Date of experience : 29 March 2024

Reply from Southdownsinsurance

Dear Customer, We are very sorry to learn of your experience and appreciate the time you have taken to provide your feedback. Your feedback is very valuable to both Southdowns and AXA Partners and will be used to help improve our service and product to ensure we can continue to meet the high standard we strive to deliver. If you have not registered a complaint and would like to discuss your concerns in further detail, please do use the below contact methods in order to speak with the relevant Complaints Team. Email: [email protected] Phone: 01737 815227 Once again, we thank you for sharing your feedback. Kind Regards Southdowns/AXA Partners

All I can review is the ease of…

All I can review is the ease of purchasing my travel insurance with southdowns insurance. I purchased through meerkat, so easy. Only thing is that if you take your time you can get timed out of your session after a short while so make sure you have everyone's name DOB ready its a breeze, I got side tracked doing something else hence getting timed out so that is my fault!!

Date of experience : 02 December 2023

Polite and professional

Polite and professional which means I have used their services and travel insurance for over 2 years.

Date of experience : 25 June 2024

Holiday Insurance

Great communication, very helpful, and within minutes I have been fully covered for my holiday at a great price too.

Date of experience : 21 June 2024

Top cover at a good price

I bought this travel insurance for my daughter so I wanted something with good cover to give me peace of mind. Having a five star Defaqto rating along with a competitive price and the ease of purchase made this an easy choice.

Date of experience : 10 April 2024

WORTHLESS INSURANCE

WORTHLESS INSURANCE After taking a supposed 5 star defaqto holiday insurance policy out and a cancelled flight was told NO ADDITIONAL INCURRED COST WERE COVERED. completely WORTHLESS INSURANCE POLICY

Dear Customer, We are very sorry to learn of your experience and appreciate the time you have taken to provide your feedback. Your feedback is very valuable to both Southdowns and AXA Partners and will be used to help improve our service and product to ensure we can continue to meet the high standard we strive to deliver. If you feel that your claim has been assessed or declined incorrectly, please consider discussing your situation with the claims team. Travel insurance provides cover for specific perils under each section of cover. Where services are not provided as contracted by flight providers, refunds, or alternative flights should be provided to customers impacted by the airline or operator. Information may be available on the Civil Aviation Authority website. CAA.co.uk. Once again, we thank you for sharing your feedback. Kind Regards Southdowns/AXA Partners

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Reviews 4.5.

5,102 total

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People are better than computers!

I had received a renewal invite which was around 50% higher than last year's premium. Did a little research online to see what the competition was offering, but decided to try Southdown's customer services number - what a refreshing change. Whilst the usual legal jargon needs to be trotted out, it was done in a pleasant and helpful way (thank you very much to Chloe - she was excellent). Not only that, by updating some other details, I ended up with the same policy but for slightly less than last year's premium. I have used this company for a few years now and even if I had just accepted the higher renewal quote this year, it would still have been cheaper than the competition. To have a decent set of people dealing with customer service is always a bonus, and shows that computers have a long way to go before they take over!

Date of experience : November 18, 2023

Excellent engagement with staff member…

Excellent engagement with staff member who was very knowledgeable and flexible in response to my many questions. Good result in the end too. Thank you

Date of experience : January 29, 2024

Great service

Excellent information and help given when I contacted Southdown Insurance. Really felt that they understood my needs and found me the best available policy.

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Quick and easy

Went on meerkat for quotes and this was the cheapest holiday insurance for our family. Miles cheaper than anyone else so snapped it up!!!! Didn’t have to answer 1666 questions either. Quick and easy!!

Date of experience : November 20, 2023

Excellent service

Excellent service - the lady I spoke to was so helpful and well informed and far better than the comparison sites and much cheaper! I hope to continue with this company because I trust them and their service has always been excellent.

Date of experience : January 03, 2024

Easy and straightforward to renew my…

Easy and straightforward to renew my annual travel policy. The advisor dealt with my request in efficiently. Do not have to wait long in a call queue

Date of experience : February 12, 2024

I purchased travel insurance with…

I purchased travel insurance with southdowns it didn't take long the lady was very helpful as my husband and i have a few medical conditions. Would certainly reccomend this company

Date of experience : January 08, 2024

Abu Dhabi Insurance

Bought via a price comparison site, and certainly good value compared to others. Very happy, met all my requirements. Will recommend to others.

Date of experience : November 23, 2023

Efficient staff

Once I got connected to advisor the service was great. The help and advice around options were very clear. A knowledgeable and helpful staff member which is why I renew with South downs rather than search comparison sites

Date of experience : February 17, 2024

excellent cost for excellent cover

Customer service advisor was very well informed and the new quote to renew my travel insurance was £15 cheaper than the previous year with the same level of cover even after I had declared a health issue.

Date of experience : May 20, 2024

Agent very polite and courteous

Agent very polite and courteous. Very helpful and explained everything clearly. Renewal of policy pleased with policy and price.

Date of experience : April 26, 2024

I spoke with a lady called Nicky who…

I spoke with a lady called Nicky who was exceptionally professional and knowledgeable. The whole process was stress free and easy. Thank you Nicky

Date of experience : January 26, 2024

I spoke with a real helpful woman she…

I spoke with a real helpful woman she explained everything in a calm and professional way, I will definitely use your services again

Date of experience : March 22, 2024

Aniversary break

Easy process and reasonable cost

Date of experience : July 01, 2024

Clear well spoken English Asistant

Clear well spoken English Asistant, very heplful when I had to ask questions and very knowlegable about the policys. He made sure i understud the questions to.

Date of experience : April 27, 2024

A Simple Task

Quick and easy to click through and arrange short break insurance on their website. A good range of cover options that won't break the bank.

Date of experience : March 13, 2024

Always found the application online…

Always found the application online very easy to fill in and the cover satisfies my needs.

Date of experience : June 05, 2024

Reasonable pricing

I believe it appears to be reasonably priced for the level of cover with pre-existing medical cover. I've insured with them on several occasions but fortunately have never had to claim so can't comment on that.

Date of experience : January 31, 2024

Easy to navigate

The web site was very easy to navigate and the price is very competitive and the underwriters for this policy is a reputable strong company therefore I’m confident in the unlikely event if anything goes wrong I’ll be covered by a decent company.

Date of experience : May 27, 2024

Very friendly and helpful advisor

Very friendly and helpful advisor. Sorted out my request and amended details in a efficient manner. Would recommend.

Date of experience : March 12, 2024

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Caught in the CrowdStrike Outage? Here’s How to Get Refunds.

Air travelers paying for last-minute lodging and other expenses are entitled to be reimbursed if their flight was impacted by an event in the airline’s control, like the CrowdStrike failure. Here’s how to get your money back.

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By Christine Chung

The global software outage last week caused thousands of travelers flying in the United States and internationally to have their flights delayed, canceled or both. In the days that followed, some airlines were trying to reboot critical computer systems affected by the outage, with many of their passengers still stranded at airports.

During a travel meltdown, it may seem nearly impossible for air travelers to find immediate help . Gate agents are swamped, customer service phone lines have hourslong hold times, and seemingly confusing or incomplete instructions online only add to the headaches.

Passengers who foot the bill for last-minute lodging and other expenses are entitled to reimbursement if their flights were impacted by an event in the airlines’ control, like the CrowdStrike outage. Here’s how to get your money back.

[Are you seeking compensation from an airline following the Crowdstrike outage? We want to hear from you .]

If they caused the disruption, airlines owe passengers assistance

It is the airline’s fault when a situation under their control — issues with crew, maintenance, baggage and fuel, or software outages — leads to a delay or cancellation. Weather and air traffic control issues do not count. On Friday, the Transportation Department noted that this I.T. outage fell under the control of the airlines.

What passengers will get from airlines depends on how long they were forced to wait, but it could include transport to and from hotels and the costs of accommodation.

Know what you are owed, and ask for it

Strategize your ask. Gate agents may not always know the airline’s commitments or the Transportation Department policies. Usually, airlines prefer to take care of the details, distributing vouchers or directly booking hotel rooms. But during the CrowdStrike fallout, they initially did not believe they were required to provide assistance and later, seemingly, remained unaware of their obligations in some instances or were too overwhelmed by the numbers.

That meant many travelers had to take matters into their own hands to find transport, accommodation and meals, but they are eligible for reimbursement. However, how much will vary by airline and travelers won’t necessarily know before submitting receipts.

Reimbursement can generally be requested through an online form — hold onto your receipts!

Some airlines have online forms for reimbursement requests, while others will require you to contact customer service to start the process. Below are the online reimbursement or customer-services sites for some of the main U.S.-based airlines affected by the outages:

Delta Air Lines

United Airlines

American Airlines

Allegiant Air

Spirit Airlines

If your flight was canceled and you decided not to rebook, you can get a refund

Don’t expect this to be seamless or automatic. Airlines generally have online forms where you can request refunds; you’ll need all of your trip details for this. You can get a refund to your original form of payment; you do not need to accept flight credits or a travel voucher. In addition, you can contact the airline’s customer service team for more help and to check on the status of your claim.

Check the fine print of your credit card agreement or travel insurance policy

If you purchased travel insurance, the policy could cover certain types of trip interruptions, including select air travel issues — and your credit card agreement might also, though it may have a requirement that the affected flight was booked using it.

Here, too, remember to save your receipts and any other documentation, and brace yourself for a possibly lengthy process.

Consider lodging a complaint with the Transportation Department

On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the agency had opened an investigation into Delta’s response to the outage, after receiving numerous passenger complaints about the carrier. If you have a complaint yourself, you can submit it here .

That form can be used for concerns or comments related to other airlines as well, but not for security or safety issues. The Transportation Department investigates complaints, though they advise passengers to contact airlines first.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

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Our cover for coronavirus (COVID-19) and FCDO advice

Updated 03/09/2021

We’re pleased to let you know that our travel policies will provide you with enhanced cover for claims arising as a consequence of COVID-19.

Before you travel , we’ve included cover for cancellation due to you falling ill with COVID-19 and being unable to travel or being required to self-isolate, subject to medical certification or an official test result.

During your trip , all our policies include cover for any medical claim due to COVID-19 while travelling if there was no Foreign, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) warning against all or all but essential travel due to COVID-19 when you departed.

This extends to reasonable additional transport and/or accommodation expenses up to the standard of your original booking (for example full or half-board, all inclusive, bed and breakfast, self-catering room only), if it is necessary for you to stay beyond your scheduled return date because you’ve failed a COVID-19 test and are required to self-isolate or quarantine at your trip destination.

Please contact the AXA Emergency Assistance team before committing to additional costs, as you may be expected to check whether transport tickets can be arranged without cost or with a nominal administration fee through your original service provider.

We’ve also included cover for curtailment (if you need to come home early) due to the illness of a close relative back home due to COVID-19.

If you choose to travel against FCDO advice (that is to a country, specific area, or event when the FCDO, or other regulatory authority in a country to/from which you are travelling, has advised against all or all but essential travel) our policies will continue to provide cover for any insured losses unrelated to the specific reasons for the travel advice/restrictions.

For example, should you travel against FCDO or other regulatory authority advice that is in place due to COVID-19, your policy will not provide cover if you suffer with COVID-19 when abroad, but would provide cover for claims that are not directly or indirectly linked to COVID-19, for instance if you broke your leg.

Our policies will continue to provide cover for non-COVID-19 related incidents, for Emergency Medical Costs, Baggage, Passports, Money, and Personal Accident claims, as usual during your trip.

To make what we do (and don’t) cover as clear as possible, we’ve created the following summary to provide the information you might need:

• Fall ill with COVID-19
• Are subject to compulsory quarantine before departing from the UK
• Are required to self-isolate, preventing you from leaving your home in your country of residence due to COVID-19
• Suffer bodily injury, illness, or an unexpected complication of pregnancy
• Any other reason listed under ‘What is covered’ in ‘Section A – Cancellation’ of your policy wording
• You cannot travel or you choose not to travel because the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to your destination due to a pandemic
• The cancellation claim is because you will have to quarantine upon return to the United Kingdom (or your country of residence)
• Your claim is caused by a reason not listed under ‘What is covered’ in ‘Section A – Cancellation’ of your policy wording
• Your claim is caused by another reason listed under ‘What is not covered’ in ‘Section A – Cancellation’ of your policy wording
• The Travel Advice Unit of the FCDO (or other regulatory authority) are recommending evacuation from the country or a specific area you have travelled to, providing the advice came into force after you left your home to begin your trip
• You have been denied boarding at your UK departure airport due to detected symptoms of COVID-19
• A close relative becomes ill with COVID-19 or other unexpected illness while you are travelling
• Any other reason listed under ‘What is covered’ in ‘Section A – Curtailment’ of your policy wording
• The Travel Advice Unit of the FCDO (or other regulatory authority) are recommending evacuation from the country or a specific area you have travelled to, when there was a warning against all or all but essential travel in place when you departed on your trip, and you continued with your trip
• Your claim is caused by a reason not listed under ‘What is covered’ in ‘Section A – Curtailment' of your policy wording
• Your claim is caused by another reason listed under ‘What is not covered’ in ‘Section A – Curtailment’ of your policy wording
• Reasonable additional transport and/or accommodation expenses if it is necessary for you to stay beyond your scheduled return date because you’ve failed a COVID-19 test and are required to self-isolate or quarantine at your trip destination.
• Emergency medical treatment due to injury, illness, disease (including COVID-19), or unexpected complication of pregnancy
• Compulsory quarantine due to COVID-19 or other infectious disease
• Additional accommodation and repatriation expenses should you be unable to travel home as planned, due to an illness, injury, or unexpected complication of pregnancy (whilst abroad or on a valid UK trip)
• Any other reason listed under ‘What is covered’ in ‘Section B – Emergency medical and other expenses’ of your policy wording
• The Travel Advice Unit of the FCDO (or other regulatory authority) are advising against all or all but essential travel to your destination when you depart on your trip and your claim is related to the specific reasons for the travel advice/restrictions.
• due to COVID-19 and you contract COVID-19
• due to civil unrest and you are injured because of the civil unrest
• Your claim is caused by another reason listed under ‘What is not covered’ in ‘Section B – Emergency medical and other expenses’ of your policy wording
• A medical certificate
• An official COVID-19 test result
• Evidence for the need for you to self-isolate, if applicable
• The providers of your accommodation, their booking agent, travel agent, compensation scheme, or Air Travel Organisers’ Licencing (ATOL) including where vouchers have been offered
• Your credit or debit card provider or Paypal
• your travel insurance policy will be valid providing the reason for travel is deemed lawful under current government advice; and
• cover will only be provided for claims that are not directly or indirectly related to COVID-19

Useful links

FCO coronavirus travel advice

WHO coronavirus travel advice

Useful Telephone Numbers

AXA Travel Insurance claims: Submit a claims notification

0345 873 4425

Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 17:00

AXA Emergency Assistance team: 0203 280 3688

Southdowns Sales and Service: 01903 255 659 Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 18:00 Sat: 09:00 - 14:00

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