Henry Hurt

i'M TAKING MY WHOLE FAMILY (AGES 2--86) TO SIENA FOR TWO WEEKS. ANY ADVICE OR LEADS ON THE BEST WAY TO GET MEDICAL INSURANCE? WE ARE US CITIZENS. THANK YOU. HENRY HURT.

Karen

Check out CSA Travel Protection. (800 348-9505) I needed a root canal while traveling in Turkey and they let me go home and have the procedure and the insurance reimbursed us for the cost of the usued tour. They were prompt and efficient.

Marija

First check with your insurer. Some US insurance policies, such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, provide coverage abroad. On their web site Blue Cross lists hospitals in Europe that will accept their card. Medicare does not cover abroad.

LJ

Warning re: Blue Cross/ Shield...from personal experience, do take seriously the paragraph about phoning them BEFORE seeking medical assistance. They do have the right to turn down your claim if you fail to do this. While I imagine that in an emergency they might grant you some slack, in the case of my daughter seeking help while in Italy for a non-emergency (lost prescription) they rejected the claim, even though fully supported by documents because she saw the doc and then called...

Jeannie

HELP!!! Many of us are concerned about potential medical problems while traveling abroad. Any suggestions/helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

elaine

Adapted from Expedia Travels magazine, March-April 2001 and the New York Times May 13 <BR> 2001 <BR> <BR>Trip cancellation insurance covers you if the tour operator goes out of business, or if you have a personal emergency or illness that forces you to cancel. It is relatively expensive coverage, up to 5-10% of the cost of a trip. Coverage can be trip cancellation/interruption insurance and/or emergency medical coverage. If the plane tickets, rental car, and hotel can be cancelled without incurring a large, or any penalty, then you don't need coverage. Rule of thumb: if your losses would be less than $500, you might not want the expense of the insurance. Larger losses often apply to cruises and packaged vacations. <BR> <BR>You might also want to consider the friends and family members whose illnesses might affect your travel plans. The death or illnesses of your stepchildren, stepparents, grandparents, siblings-in-law, fiance(e)s, aunts, uncles, friends, etc are usually not covered if you have to interrupt or cancel your trip. <BR> <BR>Before buying a policy, make sure that the company is licensed to do business in your state. Pay with a credit card because it has some built-in protections. Your own insurance agent may also be able to make sound suggestions. Also, check with your health insurance provider because you may already be covered for illnesses and services like ambulances or evacuations while you are traveling. <BR>cont'd

elaine

<BR>Components of Some Travel Insurance Policies <BR>1. Trip cancellation/trip interruption provision refunds money if your trip is cancelled or cut short for a reason allowed under the policy. Examples include a death in your immediate family, your own health problem, or the tour operator going out of business. Many companies will waive exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions (in other words, you would be covered even if you have a pre-existing medical problem) if you buy the policy within two weeks of putting down the deposit for your trip. Some tour companies and cruise lines include <BR>insurance information in their brochures. Read the fine print concerning exclusions. The New York Times reports that recently a policy called Insure-a-Flight was put on the market by TravelSafe to cover purchases of non-refundable airline tickets sold by travel agents using computer reservation systems. The policy also includes accidental death coverage. The claimable reasons for cancellation of the ticket include illness or death of the traveler, a traveling companion, or an immediate family member. This coverage is available from travel agents. The contact phone number for Insure-a-Flight is 866 467 2358. <BR> <BR>2. Emergency Medical: Pays the cost of treatment if you get sick while you are on your trip. If emergency medical transportation is included, you may also be covered for an emergency evacuation by airplane or other means, and sometimes your companion's costs may also be covered if he/she has to accompany you home. <BR> <BR>cont'd

elaine

3. Baggage Loss: Usually a $1000 cap per person. Your homeowner's or renter's insurance is likely to already provide this. Airline liability is limited to $2500 per person for domestic travel and $9.07 per pound for international travel. <BR> <BR>4. Trip and Baggage Delay: Usually capped at $200 if you need to buy some essentials while you are waiting for your luggage to find you. <BR> <BR>5. Rental Car coverage: Your own auto insurance will typically cover a domestic rental, but there may be limitations on cars rented overseas. Even some credit card companies' collision insurance does not apply in some countries (Italy is only one example.) Look into this before you travel. <BR> <BR>Three travel insurance companies (all have websites) <BR>Access America 800 284 8300 www.accessamerica.com <BR>Travel Guard International www.travelguard.com <BR>CSA (New York Times reporter in her article said that CSA denied her claim: "if there is a <BR>narrow interpretation available, even the best companies will seize it." <BR> <BR>www.insuremytrip.com allows you to compare policies and quotes from up to five companies simultaneously. Site also has currency conversion and packing tips. <BR>end