dssxxxx

I just got done reading this article.

I am a lifetime subscriber to ITN (International Travel News). This is a publication dedicated to worldwide travel, excluding the US and Caribbean.

In the April, 2007 issue is an article on trip insurance. The article is about an insurance company that is under investigation and also mentions www.insuremytrip.com. You can probably read the article on line at their website. They mention that www.insuremytrip.com is a travel insurance broker and makes money from each transaction, which is how most companies operate.....

But, they also mention a company at www.statravel.com and the insurance that is offered on this travel website. They are not recommending this insurance, but go on to say that it is a "well established and reputable company".

We think we are going to book our insurance with them (only from the outstanding articles and context of ITN). Take a look at what is offered and let me know what you think. And, no, I am not affiliated with ITN.

Thanks.

sandi

Do a search on this board for STA Travel. They do offer trip/travel insurance at very competitive rates; actually better (read: cheaper) that those found on insuremytrip. Some who post here have used them.

Marija

Has anybody had actual experience with using sta travel insurance? Their prices are so much lower than the "standard" insurers. I've searched the forum and the web and there aren't reports of serious problems but then I don't know if anyone here has ever filed a claim.

Patty

I couldn't find the article online. What insurance company did they say is under investigation?

matnikstym

topping for dssxxxx to answer Patty's question...I'm interested also and couldn't find anything on ITN website other than people plugging statravel.

dssxxxx

I have not looked on ITN's website, but there was no one plugging STA in the article. End of story.

But, the company being discussed was Trip Assured, Inc.

matnikstym

Thanks! That's not the company I use so I can rest assured.

Patty

Thanks, dssxxxx!

Local2542

I'm topping this thread since i am about to purchase our trip insurance. The price difference between STA Travel and the other insurance companies is huge.

I have read the other threads on sta travel - so what am i missing? The coverage is slightly less, but overall, the trip cancellation coverage is almost the same, and for a very large savings. I am going to keep researching online.

Anyone have further information on STA Travel insurance? All input would be really helpful. Thank you!

safarimama

I have found out several things about STA travel insurance:
1. They cover student travel so their clientele are young, thus keeping their claims to a minimum.
2. They don’t have reps in the field to come to your aid when you have an issue that needs to be resolved. You are dealing with Berkeley, who also covers most of the cruise lines and I am told when agents have a problem with a claim, etc. it can be difficult to get resolved.
3. If there is a major event like 9/11, will they be there with the deep pockets along with all other insurance companies, being owned by Allianz, a huge insurance company and the 5th largest company in the world?
5. They don’t own their own assistance company like say Access America and Travel Guard do, in fact, I read through their description of coverage and I am not sure which of the 3 different assistance companies mentioned is the correct one. AA & TG will actually upfront the money to you if you need to be medically evacuated to the nearest hospital or for your hospital stay. This is a huge service! Is this helpful?

hills27

Bump

kareng

I'm bumping up this thread because we're about to buy insurance for five. The price difference between STA and the next best option I've found is $844! The benefits are close for the things we're interested in except for emergency medical evac, which is $250k for STA and $500k for other. Also for an ADDED $73, we could get $1 million emergency evac and hospital of choice from the more expensive option. A couple of questions:
1. Anybody yet have experience trying to collect from STA?
2. I can find out that the other option company has an A+ rating (from insuremytrip Web site). Any info on rating for STA?
3. Is there any generally excepted recommendation for good amount of coverage for medical evacuation? Does $250k per person seem reasonable?

StanKase

Do you want to buy from a firm without deep pockets?? TravelGuard is owned by AIG one of the largest US insurance insurance companies. I know it's 5 people and I don't buy it for a lost suitcase or a 1 day delay but for the quality of the medical and evacuation and the pre-existing conditions clause in the Premium and Gold packages they offer.A friend was in the Prehentian Islands of Malaysia and was taken by Medijet to a Center of Excellence in Bankok or he could have gone to Hong Kong. Then after the hospital stay he and his wife were flown home Business Class (because he needed larger seat because of 2 casts) to New York, a $7500 flight per person.His cost for the entire process was $200 but the real cost was $54,000. I am NOT a sales rep for TravelGuard just a satified customer 3 times over.

kareng

Travelguard Protect Assist Gold is the other option I was talking about, and what you said, StanKase, is exactly my concern. I keep figuring "you get what you pay for" and "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is," but it's odd that no one on this board seems to have had any experience trying to collect on STA's insurance. (Actually, I guess that's a good thing!) And yet it's been recommended by several. Still would love to hear any first-hand experience, if there is any. Also, $250k - too little? Reasonable amount of coverage to purchase? I figure there must be some guidelines somewhere but haven't heard of any.

Statefan

Perhaps my family or travel situation is unique, but STA was $400 for my trip while the other popular packages on insuremytrip were $160-190.