tinydancer - re Visa - you want to check the fine print carefully...in Canada the age limit for that is 65.

Safari requires a "sports" rider? Duh! Why?

Traditional safari is as tame as a bus tour thru Europe.

Sandi, who knows why the underwriters develop specific language on their policies.. here is the link to my reference: http://www.imglobal.com/img-insuranc...ce/riders.aspx

Elizabet_S, you are right many do not insure those 65+. In the case of my husband, I spoke with a Claims Supervisor of his Medicare Supplement J company and they said he was covered for foreign travel up to 80%.

Khakif, Your link regarding a rider for safari is extremely restrictive and applies to that particular insurance policy/company. It lists SNORKELING for goodness sake! Looks like a dubious way to get a bit more money for the policy in my opinion. My husband is a SCUBA diver and he has never had to have a rider even for that. I would be quite leary of any company that has this kind of "out" up front.

Elizabeth, I dealt with Campbell Irvine both by email and phone. I was put on to them by Africa Travel Resources when planning our last trip to Tanzania. I know it says U.K. residents on the web site, but that was not the case with our paperwork. The underwriters were AXA Insurance UK. The only quirk was that the policy had to be paid in British Pounds Sterling. Not a big deal since we just used our Capital One Visa card and they put through the charges in BPS. The only alteration we made to the policy was to increase the standard trip cancellation amount from 3000 BPS to 6000 BPS per person. Luckily we did not have to file a claim against the policy, so I can't comment on that end of things.

TC, Valid point about it being extremely restrictive, but had I not gotten involved with the fine print (details) on all the insurance companies I investigated, I would no have been aware of the extreme differences.

I imagine some folks speak to a sales agent, tell them when and where the are travelling and just purchase (if the price seems right). I just wanted to bring into light that one should be more proactive and less assuming when it comes to this topic.

I have been on 14 safari and have never had an injury or accident, but if something did go terribly wrong then I would want excellent coverage versus an upleasant surprise.

<i>I imagine some folks speak to a sales agent, tell them when and where the are travelling and just purchase (if the price seems right). I just wanted to bring into light that one should be more proactive and less assuming when it comes to this topic.</i>

Khakif: I heartly agree! Good job. When it comes to insurance (of any kind) one should never assume. I would add that one should not take any verbal response as absolute either. Get it in writing.

My health Insurance will cover all my health related expenses overseas if something happens! Whew, at least Im getting something for all those premiums I pay.

Note: My doc says Yellow Fever vaccine rqmnt will go away soon, but one needs to make sure other vaccines are up to date or boster'd for your own protection. I ended up with 4 shots and a few schl'd before I leave for Tanzania

I also read what "wasn't" covered and agree that they are quite restrictive.

As to age, most all of those offered on the insuremytrip site, now* ask for the age of travelers and I haven't heard of anyone over 65/yrs being denied. Though they might by the time travelers are in their 70s or 80s.

*this wasn't always the case; I recall CSA way back when was asking the ages of those being insured, but not the likes of Access America or Travel Guard who started doing so some years later and seems they all do nowadays.

Regarding the comment above about having purchased the insurance within 2/weeks of departure and not taking the "cancellation" portion, remember that the cancellation is often combined with "interruption." And, while you may not plan to cancel, a situation may even on the way to airport where you miss a flight, have an accident, or someone takes ill and then arise while on holiday something may occur (whether to the traveler/s or someone back home) that necessitates interruption.

In the end, the individual purchasing insurance has to buy that policy that suits their needs. And, shop around it need be.

<i>My health Insurance will cover all my health related expenses overseas if something happens!</i>

But will they fly you home, Frank? My health insurance will cover our expenses, too. However, I pay up front and they reimburse me later. I have to have receipts for everything. It has to be "pre-authorized" treatment if over a certain dollar amount. It does NOT cover flying us home or to a larger city for treatment. I would want a bit more.

Insure only what you can not afford to lose.
If losing a crumby bag with old cloths in it is not going to ruin your life, then don't get luggage insurance. If having to pay for an emergency medical flight back home costing $60,000 is going to mean you will lose your house, then get insurance for med evac.

regards - tom

Very good article on travel insurance costs and examples:

http://www.intltravelnews.com/2009/0...-need-to-know/

Elizabeth_S, Thanks for suggesting I check again! I did. I'm in Australia and here we are covered until age 80. For anyone traveling from Australia, this is the link:

http://www.anz.com.au/resources/8/8/...5db66672659df2

I've used this to travel to Egypt, Israel, and Turkey too. I think we here have a very good travel insurance through Visa Platinum. I'm sure I have it all in writing and have spoken to them with specific questions.