Glossary & jargon buster

Here at Compare Your Cruise Insurance, we understand that buying travel Insurance for your next cruise can be confusing, especially when it comes to understanding some of the wording and the terms found in the policy documents. When it comes to cruise travel insurance, you want to make sure that the cover you are buying protects you, as you would expect, whether that’s for medical treatment whilst away, or if you need to cancel your cruise at the last minute. In this guide, we navigate the frequently used terms in travel insurance – helping you to understand what you’re buying!

Different types of travel insurance

When purchasing cruise travel insurance online, you will be presented with two main options to choose from. Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance. These options provide the foundation of the policy you will be purchasing, and you should consider both options before making your final decision. When deciding on which to choose, make sure you read the policy documentation to fully understand the pros and cons of each. 

Single Trip Travel Insurance

This type of travel insurance provides you with cover for a one off, round trip, that will cover you from the date you leave your house (to start your holiday), to the moment you return to your home. As standard, these types of policy will usually provide you with cover for cancellation, medical expenses and lost or stolen luggage. You can find out more information on Single Trip travel insurance here.

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

This travel insurance variant provides cover for an entire year, starting from the policy start date. With annual multi-trip travel insurance, you can embark on multiple holidays throughout the year and remain protected under the one policy. This type of policy should not be confused as allowing you to head off on a single trip for one year. These policies typically have a maximum duration for each trip, and will provide similar cover benefits as a Single Trip policy. 

If you plan to take more than two or more trips over the course of a year period, these types of policy, usually end up being cheaper, than buying multiple Single Trip policies. Read more information on Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance here.

Gadget travel insurance

This additional cover option provides protection for the electronic devices you decide to take with you on holiday. This cover can be added to Single-Trip or Annual Multi-Trip policies. In most cases, travel insurance policies will not provide cover for gadgets/electronic devices as standard. With this cover, you can travel safe in the knowledge that your devices can be covered for theft, loss or accidental damage. There is usually a cover limit, per device, in place – so make sure that the devices you intend to take with you, would be adequately covered. Read more information on Gadget Travel Insurance in our guide.

Common travel insurance terms

The following list provides insight into common terms found within travel insurance policies. 

• Catastrophe
  In insurance terms, this usually relates to natural disasters like avalanches, earthquakes and tsunami’s. Some travel insurance policies will cover you for additional accommodation or travel expenses, in the event of a catastrophe.
• Excess
  An excess is the amount you will be required to pay when making a claim. In most cases, the excess is not always paid upfront, however, when any payment is agreed in the event of a claim, the excess amount will then be deducted from the settlement amount before the payment is made. Not all travel insurance benefits have an excess, and the excesses do vary between policies and providers. Information on the applicable excesses can be found within your policy documents.
• Personal Possessions
  Personal Possessions are items you have taken with you or acquired whilst on holiday. Things like, baggage, clothes, gifts, and valuables. In most cases, electronic devices are not deemed as a personal possessions - they are typically classed as gadgets. Cash taken for your holiday is also not deemed as a personal possession, instead, cash is usually classified as Personal Money, unless stated otherwise.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
  A pre-existing medical condition is a medical condition that has been diagnosed by a medical professional, that existed before taking out a travel insurance policy. You are required to disclose all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing your policy. Failure to do so, can end up with your travel insurance becoming invalid and claims could be rejected.

Top cruise travel insurance benefits

Finally, we have created a list of the most common cruise travel insurance benefits. Remember, these benefits will vary between providers and policy, so always endeavour to check your documents to see what is included within your cover. 

Cabin confinement & missed excursions

Whilst on your cruise, if the ship's medical officer, has advised you to remain in your cabin, due to a bodily injury or illness you have succumbed to – you should be able to claim for each 24-hour period you are confined. Additionally, if whilst in your confinement, you miss any pre-booked excursions, you should also be able to claim the cost of these back (minus any excess amount).

Curtailment & cancellation

The curtailment and cancellation benefit can cover the costs of your cruise (including any pre-booked flights and accommodation), should you need to cancel or cut your adventure short. You should check your documents to see in what cases you can claim, but most policies will cover scenarios such as cancelling your holiday as a family member has fallen seriously ill.

Emergency medical and repatriation

This benefit provides you with cover for any reasonable and necessary medical treatment and hospital expenses, which includes the cost to be taken to a hospital in an emergency, due to an unforeseen illness, injury, or death. Whilst on a cruise, this should also cover the costs to be airlifted to land, should you need to go to hospital on-land. Should you need to be transported back to the UK, this benefit should also provide cover for your repatriation expenses as well. 

Missed port

This benefit comes into play, should your cruise ship be unable to make a scheduled port stop, usually caused by bad weather or time-table restrictions. In most cases, you can only claim on this benefit, if the cruise ship didn’t make an alternative stop, or you were not offered on-board compensation (including on-board credit).