The costly cruise mistake too many travellers make before they set sail

Increasing reports of tragedies and accidents on cruises are sad reminders for travellers to take care on holidays. Every day, something goes wrong on a cruise somewhere in the world, from broken ankles to heart attacks. Ships may have doctors onboard, but serious situations often require evacuation to the nearest hospital, sometimes via a very expensive helicopter.

For people with medical issues, the stakes are even higher. Most seasoned cruisers know they need travel insurance, but it gets complicated with "pre-existing" conditions. Not all providers define an existing medical condition in the same way, so it's best to consider your individual needs and contact your insurer. Some policies are more flexible than others. The nib Domestic and International Travel Insurance policies provide automatic cover for more than 40 common conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and common allergies. "Each of these conditions are automatically covered if you meet the criteria defined in the PDS [product disclosure statement]," says Dylan Wilkinson, head of APAC & nib Travel marketing.

For travellers with more complex medical histories, insurers offer options to extend protection to a higher level. You can also add a "specified medical condition", such as a heart condition, and undertake a medical screening to apply for cover. This additional option will cost more for both the premium and excess, but that extra step makes all the difference between being covered and being caught out.

"Travel insurance can't cover risks that are known (or ought reasonably to have been known) at the time you take out your policy," says Wilkinson. "This applies to existing medical conditions; for example, if you have experienced symptoms or have been diagnosed with a medical condition before buying your policy." In other words, declare everything. Reading the PDS is not as exciting as your itinerary, but it's far more important if your trip takes a surprise turn.