Importance of Terrorism Coverage for Trip Insurance Policy - East Africa?
Jun 25th, 2007, 05:13 AM
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Importance of Terrorism Coverage for Trip Insurance Policy - East Africa?
I know this is a very subjective question, but I am curious how many of you who have purchased trip insurance for an upcoming East Africa trip, have ensured that terrorism coverage is included in your trip cancellation policy.
I am travelling to Kenya & Tanzania in September...In light of the recent suicide bombing in Nairobi, as well as the upcoming elections in December, I have been a bit concerned about the Kenya leg of my trip. Not nearly enough to cancel, since I won't be in Nairobi for very long, but it has been on my mind...I also live in NYC, so even here, God forbid there was a terrorist attack, I'm not sure I would want to leave for safari. So, I have been looking at policies that include terrorism coverage...
BUT, there appears to be a big premium to include it. The policy I am looking at is from Amex and is $1178 total. If I decide that terrorism coverage is not that important to me, I will likely buy an STA policy for $250.00 total. Big difference...
A couple of other points - I believe medical evacuation coverage will be provided by my Flying Doctors membership (I have to check this out with my travel agent, Flying Doctors was automatically priced into my itinerary). Also, my US health insurance covers me for medical emergencies overseas (I will only have to pay my normal co-pay even though out of network), so I don't think medical is as much of a concern for my trip insurance.
Thanks for the advice! Curious to get everyone's thoughts here...
I am travelling to Kenya & Tanzania in September...In light of the recent suicide bombing in Nairobi, as well as the upcoming elections in December, I have been a bit concerned about the Kenya leg of my trip. Not nearly enough to cancel, since I won't be in Nairobi for very long, but it has been on my mind...I also live in NYC, so even here, God forbid there was a terrorist attack, I'm not sure I would want to leave for safari. So, I have been looking at policies that include terrorism coverage...
BUT, there appears to be a big premium to include it. The policy I am looking at is from Amex and is $1178 total. If I decide that terrorism coverage is not that important to me, I will likely buy an STA policy for $250.00 total. Big difference...
A couple of other points - I believe medical evacuation coverage will be provided by my Flying Doctors membership (I have to check this out with my travel agent, Flying Doctors was automatically priced into my itinerary). Also, my US health insurance covers me for medical emergencies overseas (I will only have to pay my normal co-pay even though out of network), so I don't think medical is as much of a concern for my trip insurance.
Thanks for the advice! Curious to get everyone's thoughts here...
Jun 26th, 2007, 06:25 PM
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I am in the same situation. I am flying from NYC and will be in Kenya for a total of four or five nights in January. I haven't taken out any insurance because it seems insane to spend 2,000+. I booked thru CCafrica which I believe has a med evacuation insurance included. I am not really sure what to do.
Jun 26th, 2007, 06:29 PM
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We bought a policy that covers terrorism, but we're going to South Africa. The cost seemed negligible in the grand scheme of things. But based on your quote compared to ours, it seems terrorism coverage is much cheaper for South Africa than East Africa.
I believe Flying Doctors only covers transport to Nairobi and only in case of a life-threatening emergency. If it were me, I'd buy MedJet as well. I can imagine a lot of situations where I'd want to get back to the US for treatment as quickly as possible. As I travel a lot, I have an annual membership, but they have short term policies also.
I believe Flying Doctors only covers transport to Nairobi and only in case of a life-threatening emergency. If it were me, I'd buy MedJet as well. I can imagine a lot of situations where I'd want to get back to the US for treatment as quickly as possible. As I travel a lot, I have an annual membership, but they have short term policies also.
Jun 27th, 2007, 04:39 AM
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With or without MedJet, you're not going anywhere until you've been stabilized and good to travel.
From the experience of people who have had health issues (heart attack, broken limbs) when overseas, even policies that technically only get you to the closest qualified hospital in the country where incident occured, they were eventually (once deemed able to travel) returned to their home hospital. The insurer even paid for a family member to escort patient home (and not always the travel partner, if traveling with one).
Dr. Andrea - Check with CCA exactly what their "medical" covers; compare with what is being offered by other providers. And though in Kenya only a few days, your entire trip (as I recall) is longer, so medical/evacuation offered from providers (as found on www.insuremytrip.com) will cover the balance of your trip. And, I'm sure CCA will only cover that portion of trip that you've booked with them.
Over the years I've taken out Comprehensive Policies that cover cancel/interruption, flight/baggage delay, baggage loss, medical/dental, medical evacuation, etc. For other trips have only taken dental/medical and medical evacuation. I'd never leave home without medical evacuation coverage for the entire time away from home.
From the experience of people who have had health issues (heart attack, broken limbs) when overseas, even policies that technically only get you to the closest qualified hospital in the country where incident occured, they were eventually (once deemed able to travel) returned to their home hospital. The insurer even paid for a family member to escort patient home (and not always the travel partner, if traveling with one).
Dr. Andrea - Check with CCA exactly what their "medical" covers; compare with what is being offered by other providers. And though in Kenya only a few days, your entire trip (as I recall) is longer, so medical/evacuation offered from providers (as found on www.insuremytrip.com) will cover the balance of your trip. And, I'm sure CCA will only cover that portion of trip that you've booked with them.
Over the years I've taken out Comprehensive Policies that cover cancel/interruption, flight/baggage delay, baggage loss, medical/dental, medical evacuation, etc. For other trips have only taken dental/medical and medical evacuation. I'd never leave home without medical evacuation coverage for the entire time away from home.
Jun 27th, 2007, 09:40 AM
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I believe many policies include terrorism coverage (though some require that you purchase the insurance within 7-21 days of making your initial deposit). Have you done a comparison on www.insuremytrip.com or other insurance site? Granted there are many factors that determine the premium cost, but I don't think terrorism coverage affects the premium by that much.
Jun 27th, 2007, 01:17 PM
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Thanks for the feedback! I did compare the plans on insuremytrip.com. Maybe it isn't the terrorism coverage per se that causes the price to increase, but, the American Express policy is the only policy that includes terrorism coverage without looking at US travel advisories and does not have a time limit on the policy (I am already past my 14-21 day window for terrorism coverage in other policies.)
Just trying to decide if I should "care" about terrorism coverage enough to pay an extra $930 to have it included.
Also, does flying doctors include medical evacuation? I thought it did, so with that in mind, I am not as concerned about the med evac coverage on my policy...MedJet is tempting in the event that it can get me home sooner, but, if I am stable enough to fly, I think my regular policy would be sufficient?? Not sure on this...
Just trying to decide if I should "care" about terrorism coverage enough to pay an extra $930 to have it included.
Also, does flying doctors include medical evacuation? I thought it did, so with that in mind, I am not as concerned about the med evac coverage on my policy...MedJet is tempting in the event that it can get me home sooner, but, if I am stable enough to fly, I think my regular policy would be sufficient?? Not sure on this...
Jun 27th, 2007, 01:48 PM
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Flying Doctor coverage is only in-country. In order to evacuate you from the bush in dire emergency (i.e., heart attack, broken limb, etc.) that cannot be handle by a local doctor... into Nairobi.
Medical evacuation out of the country isn't covered by Flying Docs.
The additional $930 is an awful lot to pay for terrorism or medical evacuation. If I recall correctly, the terrorism is covered as part of the policy without a set date to purchase. It's the pre-existing medical that requires purchase between 7-21/days depending on provider.
On the insuremytrip site there is an 800#; call with your specific question and clarification.
Medical evacuation out of the country isn't covered by Flying Docs.
The additional $930 is an awful lot to pay for terrorism or medical evacuation. If I recall correctly, the terrorism is covered as part of the policy without a set date to purchase. It's the pre-existing medical that requires purchase between 7-21/days depending on provider.
On the insuremytrip site there is an 800#; call with your specific question and clarification.
Jun 27th, 2007, 02:09 PM
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Some insurers do have a set purchase by date for terrorism coverage to be in effect, but many do not, while others don't offer coverage at all. Assuming the site is up to date, details can be found here http://www.insuremytrip.com/myquotec...00-0-0-43.html
What I don't know is what the requirements are for an act to be considered "terrorism".
What I don't know is what the requirements are for an act to be considered "terrorism".
Jun 27th, 2007, 02:21 PM
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When we asked this question in '98 after the embassy bombings (before terrorism was even an insured cover), one response was "if schrapnel hits your hotel" Duh! They had no idea, but had to offer some definition, lame as it was. And, after the massacre at the tomb of Queen Hatshepsut in Luxor, many of the insurers handled (simple) evacuation on an individual policy basis.
Terrorism has since been fine-tuned, somewhat, but it's still not clear to me. Guess, you have to ask.
Terrorism has since been fine-tuned, somewhat, but it's still not clear to me. Guess, you have to ask.
