Ellen PhillipsQ. I’m taking a cruise next month and want to buy travel insurance but am not really sure of the difference between the insurance and travel waivers. Can you help? – Barry Boat
A. Dear Mr. Boat: Assisted by www.smart ertravel.com, I can offer some advice about these differences. Obviously, we’re all familiar with trip cancellation insurance by a third party company. This allows you to cancel your trip if you become ill, die, or whatever legitimate issue you suffer. On the other hand, the waivers come directly from the cruise line and can be less expensive but offer fewer protections. They:
• May not include as many reasons or people in your party;
• Don’t cover “typical” trip-interruption as well as cancellation coverage. This allows coverage for any extra expenses of returning home early if the trip has already begun;
• Don’t include medical benefits, emergency evacuation, baggage insurance and the like