Any tips or suggestions on what to look for or what to avoid when purchasing travel insurance? Any recommendations?

What is necessary and what is not?

Thanks,
carol

I have used travel access in the past and they paid promptly when my trip was interrupted by a truckers strike in costa rica. I am using them again for my SA trip next week. I get comprehensive coverage.

check out insuremytrip.com you can compare what different companies offer and decide what is important to you whether it be trip cancellation/delay, medical, evacuation etc.

Thanks all - - I've checked insuremytrip.com - was hoping someone might have some magical insight - it all looks pretty much the same to me!

I'll take a look at Travel Access.

I am starting my 6 month count down until departure!

carol

some of the differences I noticed was that some companies make you use your own medical/homeowners coverage first then they kick in the rest. another was the deductible, some the amount of life insurance or evacuation for the same or almost the same cost (you never know!), others had theft/lost luggage and amount of coverage etc. I'm still waiting for my theft/trip delay claim, but i just got the police report from Zambia last week and the insurance co. (Travelex) received what I sent them on 1/3. I'll let you know what transpires.

Carol

As a UK tour operator with a US director we get a fair number of US clients. They often end up using UK travel insurance as I believe they find it cheaper and with better benefits.

I have no knowledge of the US market for travel insurance but travel insurer Campbell Irvine in the UK are respected by African specialists and their single trip policies can be used by US based clients if they take out the 'worldwide area' option.

If you do have a look I'd be interested to know your thoughts of their offers compared to those available in the US so I can give our US clients sensible advice.

Yours, Richard

The two companies I have narrowed it down to are Travelex and CSA. And, I will check out Richard's UK suggestion.

I guess it is hard to get recommendations unless it is from someone who has needed it - which is not really a good thing to begin with.

I'll be curious to see how it goes for you, matnikstym!

Thanks

Hello,

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions (including chronic illnesses) make sure these are covered by your policy.

For patients with pre-existing conditions in the UK, I often recommend Age Concern's travel insurance -- the premiums are quite reasonable, and because they cater to an older group they are more understanding about pre-existing medical conditions. A year's world-wide coverage is about £110 if you're a non-smoker. You don't need to be old to be insured by them, though!

Cheers,
Julian