Going on the Mariner for 12 days Jan10, 2006. The cruise portion is approx. 15,000 dollars. They are charging me approx. 1450.00 dollars for trip insurance. RSSC changed insurance companies and raised the premium. This sounds awful expensive for a 12 day cruise. Any suggestions? Thanks PS I'm not canceling regardless but it sure looks like a rip to me.

Ngaire has a section on trip insurane on her website. You can use Travel Ex or any other company you want. You don't have to pay for the travel insurance from RSSC until the final payments are due. You do have to pay for the insurance from the other companies when you book if you want pre-existing condition coverage. We've used both depending on the cost of the trip. There is also coverage you can buy that covers all your travel for a full year.

ACtually we are about to send out a flyer on this and some other RSSC changes.

Quite frankly with the changes that RSSC has just made I would not advise RSSC insurance. They did not change insurance companies just changed their plan and rates. The only time that RSSC makes sense now is if you are going on voyages that cost so much that many insurance companies wont cover because of the cost of the cruise or your age is a factor as most other companies use age as a parameter for premiums and RSSC does not do that.

Premiums are now 7.75%, 8.5% if 14 days or longer and world cruise in 2007 will be 9.5%. If you buy it in 72 hours of deposit pre-existing is now covered and there are some increases in some coverage.

I am now really recommending CSA insurance for most people. Betty had such great service with that company when she had a big claim and I spent a whole weekend researching and comparing the policies with many different companies. did a giant spreadsheet to compare. They have a plan called the "comfort plan" I think they only sell this through agencies but I am not sure about that. Anyway, you can buy it at FINAL payment and also still get pre-existing coverage. It is cheaper than RSSC for most (rates go by age) and excellent coverage.

The travelex plan works well if you have kids as kids are free and they are "primary" insurers. This means if you get ill you claim straight to Travelex and do not have to claim on your own insurance company first. That is a big deal for many and the red tape at the medical facility is lessened many people ONLY want travel insurance that is primary - Travelex exposure for claims is higher because of that.

Probably wont be popular with RSSC posting this but I would look elsewhere for your insurance and not use this RSSC plan circleboy - ask your TA for assistance.

Circleboy, I know this has been a concern for Ngaire, as I have cruises booked with her for the future. I suggest you contact your TA. I did, and Ngaire is taking care of it for me. It really takes a lot of time for TA's to research this stuff, and that is why I am feeling in good hands. Hope you will, too.

Well, I'll have to talk to Ngaire about it when the time comes, but at the moment, since I already have out of country travel insurance coverage, I'd be happy with a simple trip cancellation policy, and things like luggage insurance. And being Canadian, the medical coverage issue is somewhat different anyways. I'll await Ngaire's information, and decide what to do when it's payment time.

FYI, www.insuremytrip.com will compare all the various coverages offered by several travel insurers. Incl. those mentioned above. Great site.

Thanks Kimmi for your post. I run independent tours to China and the information is most valuable.
David.

Ngaire, thanks!

We have med jet assist which covers all medical, evacuation expenses, etc. for the year for all travel. what insurance can we purchase that will be "simple trip cancellation and lost luggage plan" only?

The big expense for insurance companies is the "cancellation" part of insurance. The other coverages are just thrown in the mix. Very few people use the evacuation part of the insurance most people end up using the cancellation part. So no break because you want to leave out some of the package. I think the MED JET assist is a good plan though. Very inexpensive really and if you ever need it you will be so glad you have it. There are "holes" in the evacuation coverage of the other plans and this is a very sensible thing to have in my opinion.