ira

Hi all

In addition to www.insuremytrip.com, I have found this one, which looks pretty good:
http://www.squaremouth.com/travel-in...x.pl?pid=20043

bratsandbeer

We have always purchased Travelguard. Can't tell you if it is good or not because we have never had a claim for which I am thankful.
http://www.travelguard.com/

Mara

I used squaremouth this time, after someone here posted about it, just for a change of pace - I had a couple of questions and their rep was very helpful.....even emailed me a couple of other possible policies...

dutyfree

Without getting too personal in my questions-am wondering if I can ask some about travel insurance?
I just put down a handsome sum on half of our upcoming Egypt and Jordan trip that we are taking in the next few weeks. My husband has 3 heart stents so am wanting to get some travel insurance with medical options just in case but am thoroughly confused when going to the websites.
Am I reading this correctly, that on some of the sites if you have a pre existing condition they cannot help you?
I am trying to find a policy that would cover "cancel for any reason",medical evacuation and medical help in foreign lands. Any suggestions?

bettyk

We used Squaremouth for our September 09 trip to Germany and also used it for our April 09 UK trip which I ended up cancelling. I cancelled before the end of our 15 day trial period, so I was only out $8 admin fee since we weren't cancelling for a covered reason.

dutyfree, one of the things I liked about squaremouth is that you can compare several different policies side by side. If you go to the Request a Quote page and enter your information, you'll then get to a Quotes screen. At the top, you can select how you want the policies filtered. Click on "Cancel for Any Reason" and it will show you those policies. Also, you can click on "Preexisting Conditions" and it will show you those too. It's quite user friendly I think.

Many policies will cover preexisting conditions IF you buy your policy within a certain number of days (usually 15 but can vary) of making the first payment of any kind towards your trip. That could be airline tickets or a deposit on a cruise, tour, etc.

There are also 'cancel for any reason' policies that will cover medical evacuation on an overseas trip but they are usually more expensive.

ekscrunchy

If you are concerned about medical evacuation, you can buy a policy from MedJet Assist that will fly you home, or to the hospital of your choice, should your condition demand. It is good for an entire year and costs $250 per person or $385 for a family.

This is an different issue than insurance for trip cancellation. I bought a policy a few months ago.


http://www.medjetassist.com/

ira

Hi df,

Most policies require you to purchase within about 2 weeks of your first payment.

A "preexisting condition" is usually one for which you require major treatment within about 60 days of the time you start your trip, not something that has been ongoing.

Have you asked the agency with whom you are arranging the visit for info on trip insurance?

TDudette

This is good info.

LaSalle61

By all means take out travel insurance. Travel Insured International allows for a pre-existing condition if insurance is purchased with in 15 days of making deposit and also has a cancel for any reason option. I am a travel agent and recommend trip insurance to all of my clients, whether through the tour operator or, in my agency's case, Travel Insured. Most independent(Travel Guard, Berkley Care, as well as Travel Insured) policies offer the same terms. Tour operator policies tend to have less breadth of coverage. I have seen it work well many times, including twice when clients passed away while traveling; and use it when my husband and I travel because it covers a broad range of possibilities. All of the companies have websites and 800 numbers. Did you book your trip with a travel agent or directly with a tour company? A good agent would offer trip insurance and compare coverage with your tour operator.

Paul1950

Before you buy any kind of travel insurance, check the coverage that you might already have. Our regular health insurance covers us overseas, we generally book accomodations and rental cars that can be cancelled up to the scheduled arrival day, plus our credit card provides a lot of travel coverage automatically.

The only thing we don't have is true "evacuation" medical insurance that would guarantee to get us back home from whatever country we are travelling in. That's such an unlikely event that we don't bother with it.

Has anyone checked with any of the insurance companies to see how many people they insure actually use the medical evaluation insurance each year to get back home? Just curious.

If you do want the medical evac insurance, and it could be a good buy for some people, do read the fine print. Some people think they are getting a trip home if they are ill, when, if you read the policy carefully, "medical evacuation" often actually means that they will pay to take you to the nearest medical facility in the country where you are injured or become ill--usually an ambulance ride.

ekscrunchy

That is precisely why I purchased the MedJetAssist policy. There is no pre-existing condition exemption and they will evacuate you to the hospital of YOUR CHOICE; as Paul says, most of the regular trip insurance policies will not do this. Not will the insurance policies associated with popular credit cards. I think this is much more important than a basic medical policy.





'As a MedjetAssist member, if you are hospitalized virtually anywhere in the world, simply call MedjetAssist and we will provide medical transport to the hospital of your choice, so you can be treated by your personal physician and be close to your family.

MedjetAssist is a prepaid, medical evacuation and repatriation membership program -- not a travel insurance policy or healthcare plan. MedjetAssist was created to provide access to affordable, high-quality medical evacuation and repatriation services for individuals, families and businesses.

Lloyd's of London underwrites the program to guarantee that a transport will be available to every MedjetAssist member in time of need.

MedjetAssist transports members without regard to medical necessity. Members who are hospitalized may choose to be transported to another hospital, one of their choice.

There is no limit on the cost of a medical transport. And unlike travel insurance or travel platinum cards, MedjetAssist provides medical evacuation and repatriation services for its members both internationally and domestically through a worldwide network of authorized affiliates. "

There are a couple of threads here discussing people's experiences with this policy.

dutyfree

Ekscrunchy-thanks for the info on Medjet Assist. I am looking into a family membership for all of us now. Although my airline covers me with insurance overseas when I work, I like the idea of evacuation if needed.

ekscrunchy

You're welcome. That way I look at it, from the point of view of one who lives in the US, is that if something happens and you end up in a hospital, the cost might not be as big an issue--after all, most medical costs are probably much lower out of the US--as being able to reach either a good hospital, or your own hospital and doctor.

sandi

At minimum you should have medical and evacuation coverage. Metjet is an excellent option, but until they can arrive to where one has taken ill to be repatriated, you'll have to be under doctor and/or hospital care and stabilized... thus the need for medical coverage.

On the Insuremytrip site you have the option for
- Comprehensive packages which include: trip cancel and/or interruption (land & air), flight and baggage delay, baggage loss, medical/dental and evacuation (some also include vehicle rental cover). Many of the providers have different levels of coverage as the price will indicated. But you must read all the drop-down menus for inclusions/exclusions for what meets your particular needs.
- Medical and Evacuation only
- Medjet only

For pre-existing or chronic medical issues, I'd personally always cover, which for most providers has to be purchased (usually) within 14/days of initial deposit or full payment of your trip.

One's age shouldn't be a deciding factor when it comes to trip insurance, as accidents/illness can happen anywhere, to anyone regardless.

Paul1950

I agree that age should not be a deciding factor. There are older people who are in excellent physical condition and who have excellent medical insurance--additional insurance would probably not be needed for them.

Egypt2008

For the first time in years, we had to use our insurance. We had to cancel for medical/surgical reasons and the cost of the trip for both was over $15,000. The insurance company only wants to pay us $7800. We booked through Grand Circle, paid in full and are wondering now why we bothered!!! All the past premiums and now they have fuzzy math and don't want to reimburse.

We really love this company and have referred lots of people but if this is the way insurance works, why bother!!!

Anyone else had problems with Grand Circle/OATS with TRIP MATE?

PLEASE RESPOND DIRECT TO MY EMAIL;

THANKS

[email protected]

ira

Hey EG,

Ins cos always try to get out of paying.

That is why there are independent insurance adjusters and lawyers.

Good luck.