Topic: Cruise Insurance - Annual or One Trip Policy

When it comes to buying travel insurance, especially for cruises, is it more economical to buy an annual policy or just pay for a single trip? In general I cruise twice a year and up to now have bought an annual policy - is this wise or not? Last year I only cruised once but the previous year three times! To add further information here, I have to buy insurance for a pre-existing medical condition.

I am about to start the hunt again for the best premium because my existing insurer quoted me a price which is 33%higher than last year........according to them, insurance premiums have gone up PLUS I am a year older! The fact that I am another year down the line without problems is apparently not taken in to account! Just like I have said before on this forum, the medical cover I get also specifically excludes my 'existing' medical condition! (a condition which no longer exists!!!)

Just noticed this question. I cruise 2/3 times a year and buy one trip plus pre existing medical conditions. Typically I have paid approx £30 for a 2 week holiday but much more for the carribean, apparently because it is counted as the USA and as such is more expensive. Would a 1 year policy including the USA be more expensive than 3 one trips if you include the pre existing conditions. For example a non USa pre existing costs me less than £10 but over £40 for the USA

I automatically buy annual travel insurance worldwide including USA, as I'm then covered for everything. I pay just slightly less than £100 and this covers me, my husband and two children under the age of 18.
For what it costs I think its well worth it as we usually cruise twice a year if we can, and then if you want to slip a little 2 or 3 night mini cruise inbetween, its all covered.

I have always found it cheaper to go for Annual, although as I have pre-existing medical conditions & need cover for one of them it is never cheap!! I did compile a list on here, which others have added to, it's titled 'Insurance for Pre-existing medical conditions - a compilation'. You will find it under the Insurance section, might help you in your search. Lizzie.

In my mind there is no doubt but that if you have more than one holiday, not necessarily a cruise, it is best to have an annual insurance which rolls on. This means that whenever you book something you are immediately covered and if you tend, as many of us do, to book cruise only and our own flights which have to be paid for there and then it can expensive to not have cover.

You might also consider something like holding a Credit Card offering these facilities, ours cost £20 per month extra to have full and total cover plus extras like AA cover etc. It just rolls on as we pay by direct debit so with us cruising three times a year is well worth it and the lack of hassle. .....Neil

Coming from an Insurance background albeit out of it since 2000 so not fully up to date, I would warn people to be very wary of some of the cheap insurance deals out there as they may not cover you if you need to claim.
They get out of it by the medical information. SO go to a good Insurance broker or decent Insurance company and if you have had past medical conditions declaire them and make sure you answer all the points and read the small print. I am a Nat West Black card holder and their annual free travel insurance is fantastic and covers almost everything. SO as I do about 6 cruises a year this is great for me. My colleagues are all over 65 and have difficulty with travel cover due to past medical history.

Many times we have no need for cover but when something happens specially in the USA the costs can be vast. In Europe use the EU medical card as often free on land.

I used one of the many comparison sites to buy my annual policy, but then moved bank to Alliance & Leicester who offer free multi-trip European travel insurance policy with the excellent Fortis, you can pay extra to upgrade this to worldwide of if you have some extra needs.

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/current-accounts/premier-travel-insurance.aspx

As ever, there are certain dependencies on age and this policy may not be for everyone, so check out the policy before taking it up.

Lizzie I agree and I much the same so find my Mastercard Black annual insurance great value plus I get free access to the first class lounges at airports. Cost £250 a year for the card but that is what some insurance companies were charging as I take blood pressure pills as a precautionary measure. Never had a bad illness in my life.

The Banks Insurance policies are good value as long as you have not been referred to the hospital in the last year. Take care but great value if you are young and fit.
Another point to remember is that many Insurance companies no longer cover any accident caused when a client has been drunk or doing an excluded activity so as grant says not for every one but great for some.

Many thanks to all who have posted here. In particular, thanks to Lizzie for having started my thought process with her posting details of various insurance companies. I have already started getting quotes from a few and the disparity is astounding BUT, one in particular actually quotes for INCLUDING existing conditions as well as excluding. The other two I have got so far have not offered either/or (only excluding existing condition offered)and indeed have not offered the facility of an annual policy even though that was what I requested. On the quote which offered both options, the lower (excluding existing) was over 50% cheaper than the insurer I have used for the past two years! The existing illness inclusive quote was only 26% more expensive than without if I used my existing insurer - so you know I will almost certainly be changing insurers! I intend to carry on and get some more quotations including my bank! I will also take all of cour comments on board - they are gratefully received! Thank you all!