Travel insurance?
Apr 2nd, 2000, 07:13 PM
#1
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Travel insurance?
Would anyone have any suggestions on purchasing traveling insurance? We (family of 4) are going to London and Paris in a few weeks, and wonder if it's advised to purchase travel insurance. If so, any recommendations on where to purchase? Can it be purchased at travel agencies? We've only recently been hearing about "horror" stories about getting sick, and insurance not being honored, etc.,. As four healthy individuals, it's something that we had not thought of. (One can trip and fall, however, and break a leg!) thanks in advance!
Apr 2nd, 2000, 09:55 PM
#2
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There are many different kinds of traveler's insurance. First, find out what your health insurance and home owners policies cover when traveling abroad. If anyone needs medical attention, you're likely covered overseas, but will probably have to pay the bill and get reimbursed upon your return. Most travel insurance is more geared to trip cancellation or trip interruption for those prepaying tours and cruises. Trip insurance is available online, at travel agencies, through AAA, etc. Be sure to read the actual policy (as opposed to the slick brochure) before purchasing, and never, ever make your decision based upon what the person selling it to you tells you it covers. If you do buy insurance, be sure to find out the phone numbers of contacts where you will be visiting.
Apr 2nd, 2000, 11:23 PM
#3
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We never leave without a complete travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical fees and hospitalisation in private hospitals (we sometimes travel to 3rd world countries), trip interruption when something happens to us or to relatives back home, etc. <BR>I would not feel comfortable without it. We usually book at travel agencies and purchase the insurance with them. <BR>
Apr 3rd, 2000, 04:06 AM
#4
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the above info is correct; most travel insurance covers trip cancellation costs <BR>(with many exclusions, such as "pre-existing medical conditions") and emergency evacuation costs. Your own medical coverage at home may very well cover most costs abroad, particularly in western Europe; look into it. I don't have the number at hand, but i the US there is a company called TEN which is specifically geared to providing information on emergency medical assistance while one is traveling abroad. They don't provide insurance per se, but will advise, coordinate emergency evacuations, etc. They are usually spoken of very highly by users, in travel publications.
Apr 8th, 2000, 06:01 AM
#7
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I did a lot of comparison-shopping for travel insurance and finally settled on a company alled Universal Travel Protection. www.utravelpro.com, phone number is 1-888-795-1561. They are underwritten by Continental Casualty Co. of Chicago, Il. They had absolutely the lowest prices for the most coverage I could find. Every company I looked at does not pay for medical treatment up front, but is a second source of reimbursement once you return home. But still feel it is better to have more coverage than just my own group insurance (who did not seem to be accustomed to overseas coverage when I called them). You also do need to have trip cancellation to cover any prepaid costs, ie. airfare, tours, etc. Happy travels!
Apr 8th, 2000, 09:08 AM
#8
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The State Department travel site (www.state.gov/travel) has a list of travel insurers in the health section with contact info and site links for those with websites. Good for comparisons. It doesn't sound like it will be an issue for you, but, re preexisting conditions: a) the insurers have vastly different definitions of what constitutes one, e.g., originated or was treated w/in the last 60 days to originated or was treated w/in the last 3 years; b) some companies will entirely waive their preexisting condition clauses if you pay the entire premium within a week of signing up. If you're getting trip cancellation/interruption, do as the above say and go over the policy with a fine-tooth comb. They are really specific and picky about what is covered, e.g., if your dad dies and you cut your trip short, okay (maybe), but if your best friend or your dog dies, you're out of kuck.
