[westmanguy]

Hey guys,

So I want to book a trip on my own dime for the first time without my parent's influence and I have a headache trying to figure out what the various travel insurance cancellation policies cover for "reasons". Here's my situation, any advice/experience is much appreciated:

(1) I have not yet booked the trip. I don't intend to until I know that there is a insurance policy that fits my needs. So this is hypothetical at this point

(2) If age/occupation matters in policy cost, I am a 21 year old full time university student

(3) My desired vacation is a late August cruise in the Mediterranean with this awesome cruise line. I'm planning to go solo and they have roommate assignment options (or find a buddy if I can manage it). I also need to book round trip flights from Vancouver to Rome. Total cost of airfare + cruise will likely come to $3500

(4) I already have an extended health insurance plan through UBC which covers me up to $5 million in health care costs while travelling abroad. I don't need or desire anything other than cancellation insurance alone

(5) My situation is that I'm tree planting in Central BC this summer, and there is variability to when the season ends. It all depends on the weather honestly. I could be wrapped up my late July, or it could go well into August. I don't want to quit early, leave my employer in a pinch and possibly throw away being able to come back again next summer. These websites are very vague on what the covered REASONS for cancelling are. Can you cancel for pretty much any reason? (i.e. even if you just changed your mind about wanting to go/the cost). Or is it pretty strict and in my situation it'd be like having to show a letter from my employer, etc. Its mainly the work reason, but I'd just prefer an all-encompassing policy. I have every intention on going on the trip, but I want to be able to work as long as they need me. Oh, and obviously coverage if I had a family emergency or I was hospitalized before the trip.

(6) Recommendations! If you know of a good/reasonable firm I'd love to hear it. My dad has a basic retiree's group Blue Cross plan for my mom and I -- I'm still covered until 25 as I'm in school (ambulance; prescriptions; not dental/eyes), that I'm not sure I would maybe get a deal through them through an extension if my dad has a policy there already.

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(5) is my biggest concern. I think the cost will likely be $150+ for a policy (which I'm fine with for the peace of mind). I just want to be able to book my cruise/flights in the next week or two, have the excitement/security in knowing I got my plans booked. But the additional security in knowing I can have my entire cruise/flight cost covered if I back out and not be SOL.

This would be my first cruise ever (and first time to Southern Europe!) so I really want to plan it out well and have no worries. And yes, its a gay cruise...and I'm likely going myself (crazy, I know, but I want to reward my hard work this summer by doing something out of the box. Traveling by myself and being forced to meet new people; and people that are all of the same orientation and potential too).

Thanks!

[BartSimpson]

Lisa and I booked a Princess cruise back in the fall of 2010 and we were glad that we took out the cruise insurance. When her father went into hospice we cancelled the trip and the insurance reimbursed us even for our 'non-refundable' airline tickets.

$300 worth of insurance netted us over $1,000 in savings.

If you're unsure of your situation then I'd say get the insurance.

Oh, and we got the insurance through Princess. I imagine your cruise line offers something similar, just ask.

[bootlegga]

When I'm booking an expensive trip, I usually buy it just in case, as long as it's not crazy expensive, but be sure to read the fine print for what is covered and what isn't.

You never know what's going to happen six months down the road - you can get sick, lose your job, all sorts of things.

[westmanguy]

Yah absolutely. But does it cover any reason? Or are the covered causes pretty specific and restrictive? That's my main wonder.