Traveler's Insurance
Dec 15, 1999, 10:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA PLT, SPG GLD, PC PLT SPIRE
Posts: 4,531
Axey:
What type of travelers insurance, medical coverage or trip cancellation insurance?
This past October my wife and I took an overland trip through South Afica. Since part of our trip was through LESS developed portions of the country, our tour company required that we have travelers medical insurance which included medical evacuation coverage because if anything went wrong, you would have to be medivac out. The company we used was very highly recommended and only cost $5/day. Included $100K medical coverages and up to $75K of medical evacuation (back to the US if needed, and I think they would even fly a US doctor to accompany us back on the plane home). Covered expenses were quite extensive and included basically everything and anything. The insurance company was "A Member of the AIG Group of Companies" so we felt secure that they would take our premiums and then disappear when we needed them. We had the "International Medical Coverage for Travel Outside the U.S." policy.
I can't find the application forms (my wife took care of all this stuff), but our actual policy has the following information, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (800) 551-0824, from outside US and Canada, (302) 761-3700.
Hope this helps (and that you never need to use it!).
What type of travelers insurance, medical coverage or trip cancellation insurance?
This past October my wife and I took an overland trip through South Afica. Since part of our trip was through LESS developed portions of the country, our tour company required that we have travelers medical insurance which included medical evacuation coverage because if anything went wrong, you would have to be medivac out. The company we used was very highly recommended and only cost $5/day. Included $100K medical coverages and up to $75K of medical evacuation (back to the US if needed, and I think they would even fly a US doctor to accompany us back on the plane home). Covered expenses were quite extensive and included basically everything and anything. The insurance company was "A Member of the AIG Group of Companies" so we felt secure that they would take our premiums and then disappear when we needed them. We had the "International Medical Coverage for Travel Outside the U.S." policy.
I can't find the application forms (my wife took care of all this stuff), but our actual policy has the following information, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (800) 551-0824, from outside US and Canada, (302) 761-3700.
Hope this helps (and that you never need to use it!).
Dec 29, 1999, 9:45 pm
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1999
Location: San Francisco UA1K; AA Gold
Posts: 937
Most of the trip insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-existing condition, but will waive them IF you purchase the insurance within seven days of first putting down $ on the trip. For people with pre-existing conditions that they are worried about during the trip (such as myself with AIDS), this can be an important consideration.
OTOH, I still don't worry about insurance when I'm traveling within the "first world" - I figure that if I'm well enough to leave the US, the likelihood of problems is remote enough and going to a hospital in, say, Amsterdam wouldn't be the end of the world. Besides, the policies tend to be too expensive relative to the costs of my trips.
But for Egypt, you bet I bought the insurance!
OTOH, I still don't worry about insurance when I'm traveling within the "first world" - I figure that if I'm well enough to leave the US, the likelihood of problems is remote enough and going to a hospital in, say, Amsterdam wouldn't be the end of the world. Besides, the policies tend to be too expensive relative to the costs of my trips.
But for Egypt, you bet I bought the insurance!
Dec 30, 1999, 6:18 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,690
I just received a brochure from a travel agent I trust, for a plan called "CSA Vacation Guarantee". The insurance company behind it is CGU, which is massive. The agent said she's had good success with them, handling claims.
Their pre-existing condition waiver is given if you sign-up within 14 days of booking. Additionally, the price is age weighted, and for travelers under age 55, appears to be below the norm.
For example someone under 55 with a trip cost of between $2,501 and $3,000 would pay $90. Seems to me most plans charge around 5.5% of the trip cost. Their phone number is (800)348-9505.
Their pre-existing condition waiver is given if you sign-up within 14 days of booking. Additionally, the price is age weighted, and for travelers under age 55, appears to be below the norm.
For example someone under 55 with a trip cost of between $2,501 and $3,000 would pay $90. Seems to me most plans charge around 5.5% of the trip cost. Their phone number is (800)348-9505.
Dec 30, 1999, 7:16 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Has anyone had any experience w/ the medical evac coverage from Amex Platinum?
I've always had it as sort of a security blanket, but just assumed it was good. Is this the case?
Greg
I've always had it as sort of a security blanket, but just assumed it was good. Is this the case?
Greg
Dec 30, 1999, 7:27 am
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Programs: AA2MM
Posts: 1,754
While this is not insurance, they have fixed rates with docs in different countries/locations, and membership is free, but would like a donation. The organization is International Assoc for Medical Assistance to Travellers, their website is: http://www.sentex.net/~iamat/mb.html
You may also want to check out International SOS, I'm not sure what sort of individual services they offer, but I know they handle corp accounts. www.internationalsos.com
You may also want to check out International SOS, I'm not sure what sort of individual services they offer, but I know they handle corp accounts. www.internationalsos.com
Dec 31, 1999, 10:20 am
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 1,433
onedog, et al, thanks for the info on travellers medical insurance. When you were beating about Africa, did you buy additional anti-theft insurance? We're heading to Africa in March, and I'd like to know that our expensive cameras etc will be covered...
thanks
baobab
thanks
baobab
Dec 31, 1999, 11:29 am
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,690
Often adding a rider to your homeowners insurance, is the most affordable way to cover expensive camera equipment. Check with your agent.
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 12-31-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 12-31-1999).]