Travel Insurance

REASON WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE:

COMINGANDGOING
Washington Post
Sunday, October 23, 2005

No Mercy, Get Insurance

Richard Hackenberg, his wife and teenage sons had saved for
their "trip of a lifetime" and plunked down $7,900 in March for a
June trip around Hawaii with Norwegian Cruise Lines.  Figuring they
were healthy and would take the trip even if someone broke an arm or
got the flu, they decided not to pony up an extra $500 or so for
travel insurance.

But days before departure, Hackenberg's son became gravely ill with
undiagnosed diabetes, his condition in intensive care "touch and
go." Hackenberg called NCL asking to reschedule for any time in the
future. "No", he was told.

CoGo, also begged, but NCL responded in an e-mail from spokeswoman
Susan Robison: "if a passenger cancels a flight to Hawaii less than
75 days from sailing they are in 100 percent penalty. "

Hackenberg said he's willing to go whenever there's excess space and
is willing to pay any extra costs NCL would incur by rebooking his
family. We tested reservations and found room for four passengers--
even last-minute and even over the Christmas holidays.

But "we cannot bend our cancellation policies for some and not
others," wrote Robison. "It is also not fair" to those who have
purchased travel insurance. The Hackenbergs, in addition to having
large hospital bills, are just out $7,900.

All cruise lines have strict cancellation policies, so purchasing
travel insurance is critical. Ron Murphy of the Federal Maritime
Commission says he sometimes convinces a line to give a consumer a
break, but "it's not the norm."