HELP! Quickie Travel Insurance for Japanese National, suggestions needed
Nov 4, 2004, 9:22 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,428
HELP! Quickie Travel Insurance for Japanese National, suggestions needed
My (Japanese) partner is just about to got to the US and onward to Europe (trip duration 25 days) but I've just found out he hasn't purchased insurance nor is he likely to. I don't approve of this so I'm determined to arrange it for him.
He lives in Tokyo, I live in London, can anyone suggest a (preferably online) company where I could purchase travel insurance for him. It's mostly medical cover I'm concerned about, I don't want him to be paying off doctors for the rest of his life should something awful happen.
This is quite urgent now as he is due to arrive in the States tomorrow evening (Nov 5).
Thanks for your help!
He lives in Tokyo, I live in London, can anyone suggest a (preferably online) company where I could purchase travel insurance for him. It's mostly medical cover I'm concerned about, I don't want him to be paying off doctors for the rest of his life should something awful happen.
This is quite urgent now as he is due to arrive in the States tomorrow evening (Nov 5).
Thanks for your help!
Nov 4, 2004, 3:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,480
He can buy medical insurance at NRT at kiosks all over the airport from various companies. Shouldn't take longer than 10-15 minutes. Oh wait, I re-read you post - he wasn't going to buy any himself.
Well then, you could try:
http://www.globalunderwriters.com
Their Diplomat America package is for visitors coming to US and goes for $87/month or so for $250k coverage with the highest deductible
or a broker site like:
http://www.travelersmed.com
I think I've purchased from them both in the past. Never had to use the policy so cannot comment on service.
Well then, you could try:
http://www.globalunderwriters.com
Their Diplomat America package is for visitors coming to US and goes for $87/month or so for $250k coverage with the highest deductible
or a broker site like:
http://www.travelersmed.com
I think I've purchased from them both in the past. Never had to use the policy so cannot comment on service.
Nov 4, 2004, 7:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 445
Do you read Japanese yourself? If so, I'd recommend Sompo Japan Off! which is the best value in Japan. I've taken it a few times, although haven't used it. And you can choose the value of every item (death cover, illness cover, injury cover, etc.) independently or you can choose a package.
Of course, I am not affliliated in any way with this company, etc. etc.
Of course, I am not affliliated in any way with this company, etc. etc.
Nov 5, 2004, 8:39 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NRT/PDX
Programs: Willamette Valley Cropdusters Silver Elite, National Tent Frequent Stay program, Ed's Rent-a-tractor
Posts: 3,357
I used to always buy insurance at one of those travel kiosks in NRT at about 5000 Yen a pop until I discovered that several of my credit cards gave me this coverage automatically. It's fairly common now for Japanese credit cards to automatically (no extra fees or need to sign up or purchase necessary) include life and medical/health to the cardholder when traveling overseas. The average coverage each of three of my cards (all plain vanilla) give me is about $200,000 life and $20,000 medical. Elite card holders get even more coverage. Maybe this is why your Japanese partner hasn't purchased insurance coverage?
Nov 6, 2004, 5:57 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,428
Thanks so much everyone. I ended up talking to my partner's father and he was also deeply disturbed about him not purchasing cover (he doesn't have a credit card, so he doesn't even get that minimal cover). Thanks to Aleph08 I was able to suggest Sompo Japan Off, and I've been assured that he is nicely covered now.
Thanks for all your help!! You may have helped save us from years of crippling debt!!!
Thanks for all your help!! You may have helped save us from years of crippling debt!!!
Nov 6, 2004, 6:31 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 445
Oh, great. Glad the info was worthwhile. I do not always take the insurance (as Double J suggested, I have my credit cards) but when I want some extra, like going to India or Mexico for instance, I always add some more illness coverage just in case. With Sompo Japan, you can choose what you want to emphasize in the coverage so I've found it quite useful.