Low water levels expose gaps in river cruise insurance
Only two of six cruise-specific policies analysed by Squaremouth cover disruptions caused by insufficient water levels, the travel insurance marketplace has warned
Low water levels caused by this summer’s heatwaves have disrupted river cruises on some of Europe’s major waterways, prompting cruise operators to alter or cancel itineraries, according to US-based travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth.
The company identified potential gaps in coverage for travellers affected by water-level disruptions, noting that only two of the six cruise-specific plans available through its platform cover such incidents.
IMG’s Choice Cruise policy provides trip cancellation and interruption cover if a cruise is affected by insufficient or excessive water levels. It also offers a US$100 travel inconvenience benefit if a diversion results in a missed port of call. Tin Leg Cruise, meanwhile, provides trip cancellation cover for water-level disruptions.
Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth, urged travellers to check policy wording before purchasing cover, noting that cruise-specific policies do not necessarily include protection against water-related disruptions.
The company also highlighted Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) cover as an alternative where water-level disruption is not included as a standard covered reason, although the terms and reimbursement available under such policies can vary.
The findings highlight potential gaps in protection for river cruise disruptions amid changing environmental conditions, particularly where an itinerary is altered rather than cancelled outright.