Nutella

I learned a couple of things while researching and purchasing travel insurance for the first time recently, and thought I'd pass them along. (Disclaimer: I'm not an expert on this topic, and these probably don't apply in all cases, but they're worth considering when doing your own shopping around):

1. You can get the same exact policy as the group policy, for less. My tour operator recommended a policy with a certain company, and there was a click through on its website as well as a code you're supposed to enter on the insurance company's site. When I entered my trip data, the premium showed up, and it was about $150 more than the premium I was quoted when I found the same website on my own and entered my data. What I found out was that the group premium was calculated based on trip price and trip duration. The individual premium was calculated based on trip price, trip duration and age. The group policy had been priced as if everyone were 61 years old. Anyone in a younger age band would be better off purchasing the individual policy.

2. You don't have to pay the entire premium up front. I put down a deposit of $1000 a year and a half in advance of my trip, and the operator's contract states that if I cancel up to something like 6 months before departure, I will be refunded $500 (they keep a $500 "administrative fee for cancellation&quot. Therefore my exposure at this point is only $500, so why buy a policy for the full amount of the trip with a premium of several hundred dollars? I was able to take out a policy for $500, the premium was $30-something. When the time comes for me to submit additional payments toward my trip, I simply call up the insurance company and increase my coverage and pay the difference in premium. I confirmed with the insurance company that this method would allow me to keep the pre-existing condition waiver, as long as I paid the new premium within 15 days of each new payment. I asked if there was any downside, and was told that many people prefer to pay the entire premium at once so they don't have to worry about it anymore. I'll gladly put it on my calendar and deal with it when the time comes if it means not paying any more than necessary now!

Hope this helps someone else!

ira

Good tips, N.

Thanks for sharing.

beachdreams3

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I agree completely about point 1. Often, consolidators/tour operators quote a single trip insurance price/person that apply to several different hotels/destinations/trip lengths, so one can assume that they are basing that on a higher cost trip.

Regarding point 2, I'm curious about what company you used. I've purchased trip insurance through several different companies (I use insuremytrip.com to price/compare coverage and then purchase on-line), and for all the companies I have used, it appears that you would not be able to purchase your travel insurance incrementally because the 14 or 15 day requirement is always based on the "date of the first trip payment".

Nutella

My policy is with AIG. Point number 2 caused me so much confusion, I called them up twice to ask two different reps the same question, and I got the same answer, so I was finally satisfied. But now you've got me worried, maybe I should call a third time!

Here's what their policy states, which I read through with the reps word by word to make sure I was interpreting it correctly:

"The Insurer will waive this (pre-existing medical condition) exclusion if the Insured meets the following conditions: 1. You purchase the program within 15 days of making the initial Trip payment; 2. The amount of Trip Cancellation coverage purchased at that time equals the full cost of all pre-paid non-refundable trip arrangements. The cost of any subsequent arrangement(s) added to the same Trip must be insured within 15 days of the date of payment or deposit for any subsequent Trip arrangement(s). Failure to do so may affect the pre-existing medical condition waiver coverage."

beachdreams3

Thanks, Nutella. I didn't mean to worry you. The information you quoted from your policy seems pretty straightforward and supports your understanding. I'm pretty sure that the policies I purchased did not have the last sentence, which should allow you to add coverage.

But, this discussion raises a couple of good points for anyone considering travel insurance (sorry if this seems like common sense advice):

1)Every policy is different, so make sure to read the fine print

2)The policies can be confusing, so ask questions if you are uncertain about the coverage

The pre-existing condition waivers and general coverage in cases of family member illness (for family members not traveling with me) for trip interruption/trip cancellation are primary considerations for me, and I have found variability and confusion regarding this type of coverage.

Nutella

Hi beachdreams, good points, it can't be stressed enough to ask lots of questions as these policies ARE confusing.

Now, if someone could just explain my auto insurance policy to me. Uninsured motorist... PIP... ackkkkk!!!

lollylo25

I had Travel Insurance with a company (I forgot the name), which was highly recommended. I was going to Morocco for 3 weeks. Well, I got really sick in Morocco, towards the 3rd week, and could not get a doctor on Friday (Muslim country) in Marrakech, nor could I get an answer at the travel 1-800 helpline on Saturday. On my return to the USA, all attempts to put in a claim failed. I think it is waste of money and will never purchase it again.

Sarvowinner

lollylo

I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but for every bad experience, there would 1,000s of people who are very relieved they had travel insurance.

What did you try to claim when you returned? If you didn't see a doctor, and didn't pay anything, you wouldn't get a refund.

I would definitely call the insurance company to task on no answer on the 1 800 number. Generally they use a service such as Mondial etc. I've never had a problem getting through.

lollylo25

Well there was small print that said if I returned and was still sick with the illness that had originated on my trip, then I would be covered even if I could not see a doctor. I tried to see a doctor when I was sick in Marrakech, but no one could see me. It turned out to be a nightmare of paperwork, and I just dropped the ball. I suppose if I had fought it for many more months, I may have had a claim, but this was a battle I decided not to fight.

Sarvowinner

Hi Lolly

I still don't know what you were trying to claim for? Did you need to see a doctor when you came home? If so did your normal health insurance pay for that? You don't get paid compensation for just being sick. You need to have out laid money to be compensated.

It's not like - I had measles therefore I should get xx$$$, rather that I had measles, saw a doctor which cost me xx $$$ then your travel insurance will compensate you.

lollylo25

Well, the fine print stated that if I came back to the USA with an illness contracted abroad, then I could collect for doc. bills "incurred in the States" within 24 hours after I arrived. The flu I had contracted in Morocco worsened, & I ended up in the emergency ward of a NYC hospital, the day I got back. They thought it may be Malaria. but was just a bad flu.

Sarvowinner

I see - then I agree you should have been compensated for the NY hospital bills as it was an illness you contracted abroad. Who was the underwriter of your insurance policy?

lollylo25

hmmmm, it has been almost 4 years, time does fly....It was a very, very well-known & highly recommended insurance company. Forget the name.It just left me with such a bad taste. I think the worst part was being sick in Morocco & not being able to find a doctor or hospital. Of course it wasn't life threatening (or so I assumed), but it is precisely ~WHY~ you purchase travel health insurance. I would read the fine print very, very carefully.