Repatriation for new customer with pre-existing condition
 

I'm seriously ill but there's a good chance I'll have my doctor's permission to take an extended trip or two in the next couple of years. I'd love to spend a couple of months abroad, covid-19 permitting, or wandering the US with my camper. I'm naturally concerned that a medical event could require repatriation, and I can't imagine routine travel insurance would pay for that for someone with a pre-existing condition.

So it occurred to me that a premium card like the Chase Premium Reserve might extend its travel insurance benefits without actuarial review. If so, I'd appreciate any recommendations or experiences. I don't want it limited to flying, which I think may rule out this idea for a camping trip. On the other hand, I could fly somewhere to meet my wife with the camper.... I'd want to know if there's a delay before coverage kicks in so as to get the card in plenty of time.

I haven't been able to find detailed terms and conditions for the couple of cards I've looked at.

Thanks for any guidance.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...ist-terms.html
https://www.americanexpress.com/cont..._Rev_09-17.pdf

good luck

https://www.chase.com/card-benefits/...reserve/travel
https://www.chasebenefits.com/sapphirereserve2

Thanks. Looks like Chase is the way to go as it doesn't exclude pre-existing conditions. AmEx seems to allow for a condition that existed but wasn't being treated for sixty days prior, but that's unpredictable and could preclude travel during the very window when it's most feasible.

do read the fine print properly.

none of them guarantee repatriation home. just evacuation to closest medical facility, possibly home afterwards



almost every premium card have these "pdf of benefits" that you can find on google (make sure it's the latest version though)

i would recommend properly finding/paying for something out of pocket, with the full legal terms that you can quote & review. these "pdf of benefits" are not entire contracts - you may want to reach out to the actual insurance underwriters (listed in the "pdf of benefits") to know more

I can't imagine anything affordable is on offer for someone in my situation.

No one knows until you start looking around for quotes and policy documentation

I'm wary of you relying on credit card insurance, especially in this era where card companies can cut back, see Citi trip delay, price protection on many cards, visa infinity airline discount (removed with zero warning)

First, I am not so certain that the Chase definition covers you. It uses the term "become ill". That would seem to cover something new, but not something pre-existing at the time of the policy issuance.

Second, as noted above, you really need to read the policy itself and should not rely on summaries. Not only as to whether you might be covered but also as to what is covered. E.g., does this cover evacuation to the nearest facility which can treat you, to the US, or is it your hometown?

I would recommend taking another look at the third party travel insurance policies just in case. I have a Travelex policy in place for an upcoming trip and I do not see anything about pre-existing conditions preventing the emergency evacuation. The plan itself covers pre-existing conditions as long as they were unchanged in the 180 days preceding the purchase of the policy (and the policy had to be purchased within a certain time after the trip was booked).

If you are seriously ill I would not rely on run of the mill cc insurance but instead speak to a broker to put together a bespoke package for you. It’s no good finding out that you’ve been paying for a policy that won’t cover you.

In the case of American Express, verify that the document describes the coverage in the country where your card is (or would be) issued. American Express issues cards worldwide, and there are cards with similar names, but very different benefits, issued in various English-speaking markets.

You may also checkout the coverage by the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA). The annual dues are very affordable.
Rich

If you are suffering from a disease condition which may prevent travel for 2+ years, this is a situation where you really ought to consult a knowledgeable insurance broker. Yours is not a run of the mill situation.

Some people on FT have in the past advocated an emergency medical evacuation policy that's sold through a scuba diving association.

Is the OP concerned that the pre-existing condition would require medical evacuation or that something else would require the medical evacuation? Policies might make a distinction between trouble caused by the pre-existing condition versus someone with a pre-existing condition acquiring a new disease or condition that causes the need for the medical evacuation. In reality, of course, the pre-existing condition could make treatment of something new more complicated.

The AMEX wording seems to revolve around whether you've taken medication for the pre-existing condition during the two months before travel began. Depending on the nature of the OP's medical history, this might or might not be an issue.

If anyone with a pre-existing condition is excluded from coverage, this would seem to be a problem for those taking allergy, asthma, blood pressure, or cholesterol lowering drugs on a regular basis, which would be a substantial fraction of the USA population. In fact, if OTC "treatment" is included, athlete's foot creams, baby aspirin, and drugs like Claritin could be enough for coverage to be denied. Presumably this is clarified in the actual policy. [Maybe it depends on whether a medical professional has been consulted for the condition during the last 60 days.]

Full disclosure to a broker so similar consultant on insurance matters is key. There is little point trying for the layperson to self-interpret the complex wording of insurance legalese. This is not like deciding whether or not a hotel room rate is refundable or not.

I would only travel with my doctor's approval, which would naturally mean he doesn't expect the condition to flare up seriously. He thinks there's a good chance I'll be able to spend several months abroad, for example, if pandemic travel restrictions allow it. He's not a prophet, though. Things could go wrong and I'd want to be able to get home quickly if they did.

Other risks shouldn't be ignored, of course.