TL;DR
Setting sail on a long-term cruise is the adventure of a lifetime. As an expert UK broker, WeCovr has helped secure comprehensive international private medical insurance for thousands of individuals and families. This guide ensures your health and financial wellbeing are protected whilst you explore the high seas.
Key takeaways
- Standard Travel Insurance: These policies are designed for short holidays, typically with a strict trip duration limit of 30, 60, or sometimes 90 days. A long-term cruise will exceed this limit, voiding your cover entirely. Furthermore, their medical expense limits can be inadequate for serious incidents in expensive regions like the USA.
- UK Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Domestic PMI is designed for treatment within the United Kingdom. Whilst some policies offer limited emergency overseas cover, it is intended for short trips and is not a substitute for comprehensive international health insurance. It will not cover planned treatments abroad, long-term care, or medical evacuation back to the UK from a remote location.
- Emergency medical treatment in ports of call.
- Medical evacuation from the ship to a suitable onshore hospital.
- Repatriation back to the UK if medically necessary.
Setting sail on a long-term cruise is the adventure of a lifetime. As an expert UK broker, WeCovr has helped secure comprehensive international private medical insurance for thousands of individuals and families. This guide ensures your health and financial wellbeing are protected whilst you explore the high seas.
How to choose international private medical insurance for couples or families planning long cruises — including multi-person pricing and shared limits
Embarking on an extended cruise as a couple or family requires meticulous planning, and your health cover should be at the top of that list. Standard travel insurance or domestic UK Private Medical Insurance (PMI) simply won't suffice. You need a specialised policy: International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI).
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about securing the right IPMI plan for your seafaring family, from understanding shared benefits and pricing models to navigating underwriting and choosing the essential features for life at sea.
Why Standard Insurance Falls Short for Long Cruises
Many travellers make the critical mistake of assuming their annual travel insurance policy or their UK-based PMI will cover them for a three, six, or twelve-month cruise. This is a dangerous misconception.
- Standard Travel Insurance: These policies are designed for short holidays, typically with a strict trip duration limit of 30, 60, or sometimes 90 days. A long-term cruise will exceed this limit, voiding your cover entirely. Furthermore, their medical expense limits can be inadequate for serious incidents in expensive regions like the USA.
- UK Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Domestic PMI is designed for treatment within the United Kingdom. Whilst some policies offer limited emergency overseas cover, it is intended for short trips and is not a substitute for comprehensive international health insurance. It will not cover planned treatments abroad, long-term care, or medical evacuation back to the UK from a remote location.
Key Fact: International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is the only appropriate type of health cover for individuals, couples, or families residing outside their home country for extended periods, including long-term cruises.
What is International PMI and Why is it Essential for Cruisers?
International Private Medical Insurance is a comprehensive health policy designed to provide cover for medical treatment wherever you are in the world. Think of it as your portable private healthcare system, giving you access to quality medical facilities both on-shore in various countries and, crucially, arranging for your care if you fall ill at sea.
For cruise-goers, IPMI offers peace of mind by covering:
- Emergency medical treatment in ports of call.
- Medical evacuation from the ship to a suitable onshore hospital.
- Repatriation back to the UK if medically necessary.
- Access to a global network of hospitals and doctors.
- Cover for both in-patient (hospital stays) and out-patient (consultations, diagnostics) care.
Unlike basic travel insurance, IPMI is designed for long-term needs and provides significantly higher levels of cover, ensuring you are protected against the potentially crippling costs of healthcare abroad.
IPMI Plans for Couples & Families: Shared vs. Individual Benefits
When insuring more than one person, insurers offer different structures and pricing models. Understanding these is key to finding a cost-effective plan that provides adequate cover for everyone.
Most leading IPMI providers offer a single policy for a family or couple, which is more convenient and often cheaper than buying individual plans. The key difference lies in how the policy limits and deductibles are applied.
1. Multi-Person Discounts: Insurers want your family's business. To encourage this, they almost always offer a discount for adding a partner or children to a policy. This can range from a 5% discount for a second adult to "free" cover for the third or fourth child.
- Adviser Tip: A common pricing structure is that the first child is charged at 50% of the adult premium, the second at 25%, and the third or subsequent children may be included at no extra cost. This makes family plans highly cost-effective.
2. Shared vs. Per-Person Annual Limits: This refers to the maximum amount the insurer will pay out in a policy year.
- Per-Person Limit: Each family member has their own individual annual limit. For example, with a £1,000,000 limit, a family of four would effectively have £4,000,000 of cover in total (£1m for each person).
- Shared Limit: The entire family shares a single, larger pot of money. For example, the family of four might share one overall limit of £2,000,000.
For most families, a high per-person limit is more than sufficient. A shared limit can seem attractive, but it could theoretically be exhausted by one family member with a very serious and expensive medical condition, leaving less cover for others. However, with typical IPMI limits running into the millions, this is a very rare scenario.
3. Shared vs. Per-Person Excess/Deductible: The excess (or deductible) is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before the insurer starts paying.
- Per-Person Excess: Each family member who claims must pay the excess. If you have a £250 excess and three family members need treatment during the year, you could pay up to £750 in total.
- Shared (or 'Per Policy') Excess: You only pay the excess once per policy year, regardless of how many family members claim. This is a significant advantage for families, as it caps your out-of-pocket expenses.
Comparison: Family Plan Structures
| Feature | Per-Person Structure | Shared / Per-Policy Structure | WeCovr's Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Limit | Each individual has their own limit (e.g., £1m each). | The whole family shares one large limit (e.g., £2m total). | Per-person limits are generally safer and more common. The limits are so high that a shared limit offers little practical advantage. |
| Excess/Deductible | Excess is paid for each person who makes a claim. | Excess is paid only once per policy year for the whole family. | A shared/per-policy excess is highly preferable for families and couples as it can save you hundreds of pounds. |
| Pricing | Base price for the oldest adult, with discounts for others. | Same pricing model as 'Per-Person' structure. | Always compare quotes as a family unit. An expert broker can find providers with the best multi-person discounts. |
Working with an experienced broker like WeCovr is invaluable here. We can quickly compare policies from leading global insurers to find the optimal structure and price for your family's specific needs, at no extra cost to you.
Key Cost Factors for Cruise IPMI
The premium for your IPMI policy will depend on several key factors. Understanding these will help you tailor a policy that fits your budget without compromising on essential cover.
| Cost Factor | How it Affects Your Premium | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Age & Health | Premiums are calculated based on the age of each family member. Older individuals pay more as the risk of health issues is higher. | Insuring children is very affordable. The main cost driver will be the age of the adults on the policy. |
| 2. Area of Cover | This is one of the biggest cost drivers. A 'Worldwide excluding USA' policy is significantly cheaper than a 'Worldwide' policy. | If your cruise itinerary does not include the USA, you can save 30-50% on your premium by excluding it. You can often add a US travel bolt-on for short visits. |
| 3. Level of Cover | Policies are tiered. A basic 'in-patient only' plan is cheapest, whilst comprehensive plans include out-patient care, dental, and wellness. | For a long cruise, a comprehensive plan including out-patient cover is highly recommended. You don't want to pay out-of-pocket for every GP visit, blood test, or prescription in port. |
| 4. Excess / Deductible | This is the amount you pay towards claims. A higher excess leads to a lower premium. | Choosing a higher excess (e.g., £500 or £1,000) is an effective way to reduce your premium. You are betting on your family's good health to save money on the fixed cost. |
| 5. Underwriting Type | The method the insurer uses to assess your pre-existing conditions. This can impact what is covered and, in some cases, the price. | Full Medical Underwriting provides certainty about cover from day one, which is ideal for a long trip. We explain this in more detail below. |
Understanding Underwriting: Moratorium vs. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
When you apply for IPMI, the insurer needs to know about your medical history to decide what they can cover. This process is called underwriting. There are two main types.
1. Moratorium Underwriting: This is the "don't ask, don't tell" approach. You don't declare your medical history upfront. Instead, the policy automatically excludes treatment for any conditions you've had symptoms, advice, or treatment for in the past 5 years. These conditions may become eligible for cover after you have been on the policy for 2 continuous years, provided you have been symptom-free during that time.
- Pros: Quick application process.
- Cons: Lack of certainty. A claim can be delayed or denied whilst the insurer investigates your medical history to see if it's related to a pre-existing condition. This is not ideal when you are in a foreign country.
2. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): With FMU, you complete a detailed health questionnaire as part of your application. You declare all your pre-existing conditions. The insurer then reviews your history and makes a clear decision upfront:
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They may cover the condition fully.
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They may cover the condition but with a premium loading (an extra charge).
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They may exclude the condition (or related body parts) from cover permanently.
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Pros: Complete clarity from day one. You know exactly what is and isn't covered before your cruise begins.
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Cons: The application process is longer.
Expert Recommendation for Cruisers: For a long-term trip like a world cruise, Full Medical Underwriting is almost always the better option. The certainty it provides is invaluable. The last thing you want is a dispute over a claim when you are thousands of miles from home.
Essential Policy Features for Global Cruisers
Beyond the core cover, certain features are non-negotiable for anyone planning a long period at sea.
- Medical Evacuation & Repatriation: This is arguably the most critical component. If you suffer a serious illness or injury on the ship, the on-board medical centre may not be equipped to handle it. Medical evacuation cover pays for emergency transport (often by helicopter or air ambulance) to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Repatriation covers the cost of getting you back to the UK if you are unable to continue your trip. Check that this limit is at least £1 million.
- Excellent Geographical Coverage: Ensure your policy covers every single country on your itinerary. Be especially mindful of popular but expensive destinations like the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, and Switzerland.
- Direct Billing (Cashless Service): Look for an insurer with a large global network of hospitals that they can pay directly. This saves you from having to pay a huge bill upfront and claim it back later. Major providers like Bupa Global, Allianz, and Cigna have extensive networks.
- 24/7 Multilingual Emergency Assistance: Your insurer should provide a 24/7 helpline you can call from anywhere in the world for assistance, from finding a local doctor to authorising treatment and arranging an evacuation.
How WeCovr Can Secure Your Family's Cruise Insurance
Choosing the right IPMI policy is a complex decision with significant financial and health implications. As a specialist independent broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), WeCovr simplifies this process for you.
- Market Access: We have access to plans from all the leading UK and global IPMI providers.
- Expert Advice: We analyse your family's needs, ages, and cruise itinerary to recommend the most suitable options. We do the hard work of comparing policy wording and benefit limits.
- Cost Savings: Our service is free to you. We can often find better prices and more favourable terms than if you go directly to an insurer, thanks to our market knowledge and relationships.
- Added Value: When you arrange your health or life insurance through us, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero, to help you stay healthy on your travels. Plus, we can offer discounts on other policies you might need, like life or income protection insurance.
Is IPMI the same as travel insurance?
Can I get cover for pre-existing medical conditions on an IPMI plan?
How much does family IPMI for a cruise cost?
Do we need separate plans for each family member?
Your Voyage to a Worry-Free Adventure Starts Here
Planning a grand cruise should be exciting, not stressful. By securing the right International Private Medical Insurance, you give your family the freedom to enjoy every moment, knowing that you are protected by comprehensive medical cover no matter where your journey takes you.
Don't leave your family's health to chance. Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our expert advisers will compare the market for you and help you choose the perfect IPMI plan for your seafaring adventure.
