Ponant Cruise Travel Insurance - 2024 Review
Ponant Cruise Travel Insurance - Review
7
Strengths
- Reputable Insurer
- Pre-existing Condition Waiver
- Standard Medical Evacuation
Weaknesses
- Only Available to European Citizens
- Low Medical Insurance Coverage
- No Cancel For Any Reason Protection
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Introduction
Ponant cruises caters to luxury experiences like fine dining, intimate atmospheres, and attentive service. North American travelers seeking a European cruise experience also favor Ponant. Popular destinations include Alaska, Africa, Antarctica, the Arctic, French Polynesia, and Northern Europe.
Our Cruise: Ancient Splendors of Greece and Egypt
Our sample couple, ages 55 and 60, chose a 10-day cruise from 4/13/2022 – 4/23/2022 to Greece and Egypt.
Base cost of the trip is $13,580 including port fees. Our couple added an excursion prior to the trip to Wadi Rum for one night for $1,400 and a post-cruise excursion to Athens and the Acropolis for an additional $200. Total trip cost including pre-cruise and post cruise excursion comes to $15,180 for both travelers combined.
When we finish booking the additional excursions, we are asked if we’d like to add trip insurance. However, the system automatically declines the insurance for you and even if you select it, the cost is 0 USD. Confusingly, the system doesn’t tell you that the insurance is only available to European residents. Even if you select the insurance option, the pricing still says 0 USD, so you may think you have added the insurance and the cost was automatically included in the overall trip cost. This is not the case and could leave a traveler in dire straits if you have a medical emergency while traveling and think you have Ponant’s insurance to cover it!
It takes a bit of research into the policy itself to see that the Ponant insurance is available to European residents. Therefore, we’ll need to shop for travel insurance elsewhere.
Alternatives to Ponant Travel Insurance
As US residents, we’ll have to find alternate insurance. We used the same trip information to create a quote at TravelDefenders and our system provided 27 results for a variety of plans and insurers.
TravelDefenders consistently recommends carrying at least $100k Medical Insurance, $250k Medical Evacuation, and a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver when traveling outside the US.
For this trip, the AIG Travel Guard Plus plan is the least expensive policy that meets the recommended coverage amounts, at a total of $703.16 for both travelers combined.
Next, we looked for the least expensive Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plan that meets our minimum recommended coverage, which is the AIG Travel Guard Plus (CFAR 50%) for $872.42. This plan offers the same benefits as the AIG Travel Guard Plus plan above but includes the added benefit of allowing you to cancel your trip for any reason not otherwise covered by the policy and receive a 50% reimbursement of your trip cost.
Should we want a 75% reimbursement of our trip costs, the least expensive plan with adequate coverage is the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) for $1,526.29, the cost for both travelers.
Though the Trawick plan is more expensive than the AIG CFAR plan, we would be receiving significantly more money back if we needed to cancel for any reason not listed in the policy.
Let’s compare all three plans and see what they cover.
Benefit |
AIG Travel Guard Plus |
AIG Travel Guard Plus (CFAR 50%) |
Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) |
Trip Cancellation |
100% of trip cost |
100% of trip cost |
100% of trip cost |
Trip Interruption |
150% of trip cost |
150% of trip cost |
150% of trip cost |
Medical Insurance |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$150,000 |
Medical Evacuation |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
Baggage Loss/Damage |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
2,000 |
Baggage Delay |
$400 |
$400 |
$400 |
Travel Delay (Incl quarantine) |
$1,000 ($200/day) |
$1,000 ($200/day) |
$1000 per person |
Missed Connection |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 per person |
Cover Pre-existing Medical Conditions |
Yes, if purchased within 21 days of deposit |
Yes, if purchased within 21 days of deposit |
Yes, if purchased within 14 days of deposit |
Cancel For Work Reason |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Interrupt For Any Reason |
No |
No |
No |
Cancel For Any Reason
|
No |
50% of trip cost |
75% of trip cost |
Accidental Death & Dismemberment |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$25,000 |
Cost of Policy |
$703.16 (4.63% of trip cost) |
$872.42 (5.75% of trip cost) |
$1,526.29 (10.05% of trip cost) |
Price and Value
TravelDefenders recommends carrying at least $100k in Medical Insurance when traveling outside the country. Both AIG Travel Guard policies provide $100k in Medical Insurance and the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) provides $150k in Medical Insurance, so you can feel assured with any of these policies you will have sufficient medical coverage should you need it.
We recommend at least $250k of Medical Evacuation coverage when traveling within a few hours of US borders. For trips farther afield, we recommend at least $500k of Medical Evacuation coverage. All three plans we’ve listed above provide $1 million of Medical Evacuation coverage so you’ll be well covered in a medical emergency that requires evacuation to a hospital and back to the US.
If needed, TravelDefenders also recommends getting a policy that provides a waiver for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions. Both AIG Travel Guard policies we listed provide coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions, if purchased within 21 days of your initial trip payment or deposit. The Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) will cover Pre-Existing Conditions if purchased within 14 days of your initial payment or deposit.
Next, we’ll discuss other important benefits in travel insurance.
Trip Cancellation
Sometimes unexpected events interfere with your travel plans, forcing you to cancel your trip. Trip Cancellation reimburses you for your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel your trip for a covered reason.
Most plans available from TravelDefenders cover cancellation for:
- Unforeseen illness, accidental injury, or death (traveler, traveling companion, family member, or host)
- Inclement weather, strike, or mechanical delay of a common carrier
- Financial default of a common carrier
- Traffic accident en route to the destination
- Hijacking, quarantine, jury duty, subpoena
- Fire, flood, burglary, or natural disaster
- Documented theft of passport or visas
- Mandatory evacuation
- Called to military duty or revocation of leave
- Involuntary job termination or lay off
- Terrorism
Hopefully, none of these things happen, and you can leave for your vacation without a hitch.
Cancel For Any Reason
Cancel For Any Reason provides peace of mind against any uncertainty about traveling. This coverage helps you recover 50% - 75% (depending on policy) of your trip cost if you must cancel your travel plans for any reason not otherwise covered by the policy. Without it, you would lose all your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs for a non-covered cancellation.
Suppose your main concern for cancellation is uncertainty about Covid rates at your destination. You may worry that you shouldn’t travel on your scheduled trip if your destination country sees a large spike in Covid rates. Even if your doctor advises against traveling, Trip Cancellation does not cover cancellation due to fear of traveling because of Covid concerns.
Travel insurance with Cancel For Any Reason is the only option. TravelDefenders offers a variety of Cancel For Any Reason options for residents in most states.
There are some rules to keep in mind when purchasing a Cancel For Any Reason plan:
- You must insure 100% of your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs
- You must purchase the policy within the Time Sensitive Period (10-21 days of the date you placed your initial payment or deposit towards the trip) and insure subsequent payments
- You must cancel your trip no later than 48 hours prior to departure
The AIG Travel Guard Plus (CFAR 50%) will reimburse you 50% of your trip cost while the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) will reimburse 75% of your trip cost should you cancel for a reason not listed in the policy.
Trip Interruption
While Trip Cancellation covers you before you depart, Trip Interruption covers you once you leave for your trip. It reimburses you for the unused portion of your trip costs and the cost to catch up to your trip, if you’re able, or return home early.
Trip Interruptions covers circumstances similar to Trip Cancellation. For example, suppose you fall and break your leg during one of your excursions. You certainly will not be able to continue the rest of your vacation.
Once the local hospital takes care of you, the physician will likely recommend you return home to recover. Trip Interruption reimburses you for the portion of the trip you did not use and covers the cost to travel home early.
Travel insurance also covers if your Trip Interruption is temporary and resolves before the end of your trip. You can claim the unused portion of the journey while hospitalized and the transportation costs to rejoin the trip.
Trip Interruption reimbursement ranges between 100-150% of the insured trip cost. Any amount above 100% helps cover transportation expenses. In this case, the AIG Travel Guard Plus policies listed, and the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) all provide a 150% benefit.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Travel insurance does not pay benefits for Pre-Existing Conditions. It’s a standard, industry-wide exclusion. However, many policies offer a waiver that adds coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions back into the policy. These policies typically must be purchased within 14-21 days (depending on policy) of the date you place your initial payment or deposit towards the trip. This timeframe is called the Time Sensitive Period.
The AIG Travel Guard Plus plans will provide coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions if the policy is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip payment or deposit while the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) plan requires the policy be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip payment or deposit. Several other terms must also be met for all three policies:
- you are medically able to travel at the time the coverage is purchased; and
- you insure 100% of your prepaid Trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions.
Medical Insurance If Sick or Injured Traveling
Travel Medical Insurance pays for medical treatment if you are injured or ill during your planned vacation. Even healthy people can be victims of an accident that requires costly care. A broken leg, a car accident, or even severe food poisoning can land you in the hospital.
If you plan overseas travel, it’s important to keep in mind most health insurance plans do not pay for medical treatment outside of the US. Even if your health insurance does provide some coverage while you travel, it may restrict the nature of care and provider.
Also, Medicare does not pay for treatment outside the US. While some Medicare supplements cover up to $50k for treatment, it is a lifetime limit and for emergencies only. In addition, you must pay a deductible and 20% copay.
In addition, you can’t count on universal health care in foreign countries to pay for your treatment. Citizens pay taxes for this privilege. If you are not a citizen of that country, you will pay full price for treatment at a private hospital, which can cost $3,000-$4,000 per day.
Consequently, we recommend that you travel with at least $100k Emergency Medical Insurance while traveling abroad.
Both AIG Travel Guard Plus policies provide $100k for Medical Insurance while the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) provides $150k for Medical Insurance.
Emergency Medical Evacuation Brings You Home
Emergency Medical Evacuation pays for transportation to a medical facility capable of treating your condition.
Typically, Emergency Medical Evacuation is uncomplicated, like a ground ambulance to the nearest hospital. However, Emergency Medical Evacuation can include a costly airlift by medical personnel.
If, after your condition is stabilized, it’s determined you need further treatment, Emergency Medical Evacuation transports you to a hospital near your home so you can recover.
When traveling outside the US, TravelDefenders always recommends a policy that includes at least $250k of Emergency Medical Evacuation. This ensures you have enough financial protection, especially in a critical situation.
All three plans in this review exceed this recommendation and provide $1 million of Medical Evacuation coverage.
Conclusion
When shopping for travel insurance, it’s important to make sure the policy has sufficient Medical and Medical Evacuation benefits for overseas expeditions and includes coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions.
Though we cannot get Ponant insurance in the United States, we were able to find excellent policies at competitive prices through TravelDefenders.
As such, we always recommend comparison shopping to find the best value for your money.
Will I Get a Better Deal Going Directly Through the Insurer?
No. Many don’t realize that they won’t find the same travel insurance plans available at a better price directly from the insurer. Travel insurance rates are state-regulated, and no one can change those rates.
Travelers can find the best plan to fit their travel needs by using a comparison site like TravelDefenders to shop their options and find the appropriate coverage.
Next time you cruise, run a comparison quote with us and see how much money you can save on a similar or better policy. You can even run a sample quote before you book your cruise.
Questions? We would love to hear from you. Please stop by and chat with us, send an email, or give us a call at +1(786) 321 3723.
Safe travels!
This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.