Aurora Expeditions Travel Insurance - 2026 Review

Aurora Expeditions is an Australian cruise line with a passion for adventure travel. Greg Mortimer, world-renowned explorer and mountain climber, founded Aurora Expeditions with his wife, Margaret Mortimer, to share incredible experiences with others. Their cruises visit exotic and remote places like Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Patagonia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nepal, and more. Aurora Expeditions offers guests a wide range of exciting activities to partake in while cruising with them, such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, scuba diving, and wildlife watching.

Regardless of where you buy travel insurance, Aurora Expeditions requires all travelers cruising with them to own travel insurance, especially Medical Evacuation, with a minimum limit of $250k. You must provide the details about your travel insurance plan before embarkation.

11.2 Passengers travelling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of holiday, medical, accident and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD and otherwise on terms that is sufficient to indemnify you. We travel to remote regions of the world and we recommend that the insurance policy’s repatriation/emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum and cover you for remote or Polar Evacuation should it be required. In the case of a medical issue arising during the expedition, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for medical treatment, repatriation, evacuation, use of aircraft, etc, the responsibility for payment of these costs and expenses belongs solely to the passenger. Please ensure that such eventualities are covered by your travel insurance policy.

Although you can book your Aurora Expeditions cruise on their website, upon further inspection, you cannot buy travel insurance directly through them. Aurora Expeditions refers US customers to third-party travel insurance companies.

In this review, we’ll look at a few policies offered through AARDY that would be sufficient for an Aurora Expeditions cruise.

Our Iceland Cruise

For our example quote, we chose a cruise that begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland, with stops all around the country, from August 1^st, 2022, through August 11^th, 2022.

This 11-day expedition costs $17,091 for 2 travelers, ages 55 and 60, staying in a cabin and balcony stateroom aboard the Greg Mortimer ship.

Travel Insurance Options

Now, we’ll compare travel insurance policies available on through AARDY.

AARDY recommends travelers carry at least $100k Medical Insurance, $250k Medical Evacuation, and a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver for trips outside the US. However, since Aurora Expeditions frequently travels to remote areas, we recommend $500,000 Medical Evacuation for those destinations.

When we ran a quote at AARDY, the least expensive plan that has the minimum recommended coverage is the IMG Travel SE, which costs $1,111.26 for both travelers.

The next plan we reviewed is the IMG Travel LX, costing $1,814.26 for both travelers. This plan is a fantastic option for travelers looking for a high-end travel insurance plan with higher-than-average limits and a wide range of covered cancellation scenarios.

Lastly, the least expensive plan that would allow a traveler to Cancel For Any Reason is the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%), at a cost of $1,902.24 for both travelers.

Now, we’ll look at all three plans side-by-side and explain some of the most important coverages included in these policies.

Benefit	IMG Travel SE	IMG Travel LX	Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%)
Trip Cancellation	100% of trip cost	100% of trip cost	100% of trip cost
Trip Interruption	150% of trip cost	150% of trip cost	150% of trip cost
Medical Insurance	$250,000	$500,000	$100,000
Medical Evacuation	$500,000	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Baggage Loss/Damage	$250/article up to $1,500 per traveler	$250/article up to $2,500 per traveler	$500/article up to $2,000 per traveler
Baggage Delay	$250	$500	$400
Travel Delay (Incl quarantine)	$2,000 ($125/day) per traveler	$2,500 ($250/day) per traveler	$1,500 ($200/day) per traveler
Missed Connection	$500 per traveler	$500 per traveler	$500 per traveler
Cover Pre-existing Medical Conditions	Yes, if purchased within 20 days of deposit	Yes, if purchased on or before final scheduled payment	Yes, if purchased within 21 days of deposit
Cancel For Work Reason	Yes	Yes	Yes
Interrupt For Any Reason	No	No	Yes
Cancel For Any Reason	No	No	75% of trip cost
Accidental Death & Dismemberment	$25,000 (common carrier)	$100,000 (common carrier)	$10,000 (24 hour, other than air flight)
Cost of Policy	$1,111.26 (6.2% of trip cost)	$1,814.26 (10.1% of trip cost)	$1,902.24 (10.6% of trip cost)

Trip Cancellation

Trip Cancellation reimburses 100% of your total trip costs when you cancel your trip for a reason that is covered under the policy. Trip costs can include airfare, cruise fare, accommodations, train tickets, tours, and excursions, so long as those costs are pre-paid and non-refundable.

Covered reasons for trip cancellation include but are not limited to:

• The unforeseen illness (including contracting Covid), accidental injury, or death of an insured, traveling companion, family member, or business partner
• A traffic accident en route to the airport
• Financial default or bankruptcy of the common carrier or travel supplier
• Destination or residence rendered uninhabitable by fire, flood, or natural disaster
• Inclement weather
• Being summoned for jury duty or subpoenaed to appear in court as a witness
• An unannounced strike causing a complete cessation of services
• Mechanical breakdown or equipment failure of a common carrier
• A terrorist incident in your destination
• A documented theft of passports or visas
• Revocation of previously granted military leave
• Cancel For Work Reason (traveler required to work during the trip)
• Employer-initiated transfer of 250 miles or more

While travel insurance cannot cover all the reasons you may have cancel your trip, it should at least cover the reasons listed above. The IMG Travel SE, IMG Travel LX, and Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) cover all these reasons and more.

For example, all 3 plans cover cancellation if a new Level 4 (Do Not Travel) Advisory is issued by the US State Department for your destination, as long as the advisory occurs after the policy is purchased and within 30 days of your scheduled departure. Many other travel insurance plans do not provide this coverage, so these are great options for travelers in these uncertain times.

What about border closures, lockdown orders, apprehension to travel due to Covid concerns, or simply deciding not to go? While these are all understandable reasons for cancelling a trip, these reasons would not be covered under a standard cancellation travel insurance plan.

However, we can still provide coverage for this concern by looking at Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) offers travelers more flexibility by allowing you cancel your trip and receive a partial refund for any reason not otherwise listed in the policy, provided certain conditions are met.

To be eligible for Cancel For Any Reason coverage, you must:

1. Purchase a plan within 10-21 days (depending on the policy) of placing your initial payment or deposit towards your trip
2. Insure 100% of your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs
3. Cancel your trip no later than 48 hours prior to departure

Cancel For Any Reason reimburses 50%-75% (depending on the policy) of your total trip cost when you cancel your trip for any reason that is not covered under the policy. Of course, when cancelling for a covered reason, such as unforeseen illness, you would still be reimbursed 100% of your total trip cost.

The Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) is popular due to its Cancel For Any Reason feature and the fact that it also includes Interruption For Any Reason, which we will explore further below.

Trip Interruption

Trip Interruption reimburses the unused portion of your trip when your trip is interrupted for a covered reason. The covered reasons are the same covered reasons as Trip Cancellation. Trip Interruption also helps cover the cost for you to catch up to your trip, if you are able, or return home early.

For example, if you are injured and cannot finish the rest of your trip, Trip Interruption helps you recover the pre-paid and non-refundable travel arrangements you would otherwise lose. You receive full reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip, plus the added cost of coming home early.

Interruption For Any Reason

Fortunately, all plans offer Trip Interruption insurance, so you have peace of mind knowing you are covered if you must cut your trip short or experience delays. But what happens if you must go home early for a reason not listed?

In that case, the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) permits Interruption For Any Reason. You can end your trip 72 hours or more after your scheduled departure for any reason not listed as a covered interruption on the policy.

For example, if during your trip, your dog sitter emails you stating your dog got loose and cannot be found. You may want to return home and look for your dog, as you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the rest of your trip knowing that they’re not safe at home.

If this happens, Interruption For Any Reason reimburses up to 75% of your unused trip cost. That’s much better than losing the remainder of the unused portion of your trip.

Medical Insurance

Private health insurance covers medical emergencies within the US, but health insurance typically provides little or no coverage while outside of the US. A medical emergency that occurs overseas can incur significant medical bills.

Senior travelers understandably worry about medical treatment while outside the US. Before you travel abroad, it’s important to keep in mind that Medicare does not pay non-US providers. In addition, Medicare supplement plans limit Medical Insurance to a $50k lifetime limit in an emergency and require the insured to pay 20% of the bill.

While universal healthcare may be available in other countries, it typically does not cover American travelers. Travelers from the US will be required to pay full price for treatment at a private hospital. Therefore, we suggest you travel with enough Medical Insurance in case something happens.

AARDY always recommends traveling with a minimum of $100k in Medical Insurance when heading outside the US. If you travel with lower limits, you risk paying out of pocket for medical bills.

Of course, both IMG plans exceed the minimum recommended amount. The Travel SE has $250k Medical Insurance and the Travel LX has $500k Medical Insurance, while the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) satisfies our minimum recommended amount.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

If you have an injury or become ill while traveling, Medical Evacuation transports you to the nearest medical facility that can treat your condition. If the physician treating you determines it to be medically necessary, Medical Evacuation then transports you home for further treatment.

For less serious medical conditions, Medical Evacuation might be as simple as a commercial flight home. In the case of a traumatic injury or critical illness, like a heart attack or stroke, the doctor might order a medical jet to fly you home.

Medical Evacuation on a private medical jet costs between $15k-$25k per hour. That is why AARDY urges travelers to protect themselves with at least $250k Medical Evacuation coverage. However, if you travel to a remote part of the world where medical treatment is far away, it’s wise to buy at least $500k Medical Evacuation insurance.

All 3 plans we reviewed for this article would be sufficient for an Aurora Expeditions cruise, as the Medical Evacuation limit under each policy is at least $500k.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Sometimes medical emergencies arise unexpectedly and spoil travel plans. Because travel insurance excludes coverage for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, we recommend senior travelers purchase a policy that has a Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions.

Without a Waiver of Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, the insurer looks at your medical history for the 60-180 days (depending on the policy) prior to the purchase of the policy when you file a claim for a medical reason. If a condition appears in your medical history within that timeframe for treatment, testing, new prescriptions, changes in medication, or recommendation for a test or treatment not yet completed, the policy excludes coverage for the condition.

Of course, if your medical condition is older than 60-180 days, like high blood pressure, and you haven’t seen the doctor, had a change in prescriptions or worsening of condition during that time, the policy covers it.

However, a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver remedies the situation by offering coverage for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions. If you purchase a policy within the Time Sensitive Period (14-21 days after placing your initial payment or deposit toward the trip, depending on the policy) then your policy contains the waiver and covers any Pre-Existing Medical Conditions. Note: not all travel insurance policies offer a waiver.

The IMG Travel SE offers a waiver if the policy is purchased within the 20-day Time Sensitive Period, while the Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector (CFAR 75%) offers the waiver within the 21-day Time Sensitive Period.

The IMG Travel LX is unique, in that, the policy will offer a waiver if the policy is purchased on the day of or before making your final scheduled payment towards the trip. This is a great option for travelers who are outside the standard 14–21-day timeframe but have not yet paid for their trip in full.

Conclusion

If you are considering booking a trip with Aurora Expeditions, you’ll need to compare third party travel insurance plans, so you get the best value for your money and because Aurora Expeditions does not offer travel insurance themselves.

When shopping around, be sure to look for policies that include at least $100k Medical Insurance, $250k Emergency Medical Evacuation (or $500k if traveling to a remote destination), and whenever possible, a Pre-Existing Medical Exclusion Waiver.

Can I Find a Better Deal with the Insurer Directly?

No. Many people don’t realize that they won’t find the same trip insurance plans available at a better price. Prices are the same everywhere because of US anti-discriminatory laws.

When travelers want the best insurance, they shop on comparison websites like AARDY. We provide quotes from multiple travel insurers, so you can pick the most appropriate coverage, and have the peace of mind that you have proper protection.

In short, a travel insurance quote from AARDY is the same price you see from the insurance carrier directly. We do not compete on price for insurance products -- no one does. You can count on getting the best value from us.

Have questions? We would love to hear from you. Send us a chat, email, or call us at (650) 492-6298.

Safe travels!