A couple of years ago, I bought the insurance when booking flights to the Caribbean. We had to file a claim when we missed our connection on our return flight, resulting in an overnight hotel stay, meals, etc. the insurance was with Allianz, and the claims processing was quick and easy. It was a year later when I wanted insurance for our European bike trip, that I discovered the annual travel insurance policies offered by Allianz. Fortunately, I haven’t had another claim, but for now we will keep an annual travel policy vs. insuring each trip separately.
Thanks for the all replies with company names on positive experiences. Something to research and consider as my mother’s health becomes more and more “iffy”.
Cincy gal - thanks for the info. I’ve had Allianz insurance before, never made a claim and didn’t know about the annual policy. We’ve already got 3 trips planned for this year, one starting at the end of this week. Just got one of their annual policies for the two of us. Seems wise and cost effective. It was good timing for our first trip and because I’m about to have a birthday which would have increased the cost.
We travel a ton internationally. Would never consider traveling without trip insurance. We always use Travelex. We have had to use it during the years. Once, our 13 year old son had to have an emergency appendectomy while on safari in Kenya (scary). Other times husband has gotten ill on trips and has needed medical care. My parents’ illnesses have prevented us from going on trips ( fully reimbursed). Lost luggage too. Lastly, this summer my husband and I came back from a trip to Indonesia extremely ill and had to cancel a trip to Africa we had scheduled for 6 weeks later. Again, fully reimbursed. Recently, we also get Medjet Assist. If you are hospitalized while on your trip, they will med evac you to any hospital in the world that you choose. Most insurances cover evacuation, but you do not have a say on where you go. You do not get to choose to be flown to your local hospital or speciality hospital. Worth it for peace of mind, or maybe this part belongs in the catastrophizing thread : )
@MaineLonghorn I just wanted to send you a little sympathy hug. It just adds on another layer of anxiety to have travel plans intersecting with health issues. Best wishes for your son.
Consider medical insurance if you’re traveling to Ecuador. There’s a story on SFGate about a California teacher who broke his neck in Ecuador. He incurred $35,000 in medical expenses that are not covered under his health plan. They don’t cover hospitalizations out of the country. Now Ecuador is not permitting him to leave the country until the bill is paid.
We also used Allianz. I liked that the customer rep was so patient and willing to explain.
I may be ignorant on this, but I thought all insurances covered emergency care when out of country, like a broken neck/leg, appendicitis. I’ve had different insurances last few years and all of them covered emergency care. My daughter was hospitalized in Thailand due to food poisoning and my insurance covered it as in network.
Not all specific plans. Not all Medicare supplements.
Many insurers are very regional. You have to read your policy carefully and know what is and is NOT covered. My policy covers us worldwide up to usual and customary charges. Many policies do not.
Definitely check. My mother had trouble last year in that her policy did not cover her at her winter home in AZ as it was midwest based. Nothing urgent or expensive in her case and thankful the learning experience came due to a non-critical event. She has a different policy this year, for the same cost ironically.
I had a co-worker take her mother on a cruise for her birthday. The mother became ill and the cruise ship dropped them off in Jamaica as they didn’t know what it was and did not want her to infect the other passengers. The problem was Medicare is US only so in Jamaica she had no insurance and no hospital there would let her in the door without demonstrating the ability to prepay. She ended up in a public hospital that resembled something you see in pictures of the sanitariums of the old west. Travel insurance would have helped with the medical coverage provided as well as figuring how to get back to the U.S. since their ship had long since left them stranded.
Used TravelSafe and got refund of a trip canceled due to death of parent/grandparent in same group (not our relative, a friend’s relative). Also having medical ins overseas seems prudent.
My brother organized a big family cruise a number of years ago. I added travel insurance when I booked, even though I usually don’t. A few days before the trip, I had a massive kidney stone attack. Insurance reimbursed both DS’s and my bookings with no hassle. Been a fan of travel insurance ever since.
@tennismom I also always buy Travelex and have had to use it for medical - oddly similar to yours - we thought D had appendicitis but she didn’t. They paid both doctors (initial doc then surgical consult) directly, 100% covered I didn’t have to pay and get reimbursed. Even though it turned out not to be a medical emergency after all.
There is cancellation/delay etc coverage as well but I get it for the medical, and the medical evacuation. Price depends on cost of trip. Usually for me $70-100. Kids free.
I have not read all the comments, but when ds went to SE Asia last summer for what we thought would be ten seeks, I insisted on it. I wanted him to have the medical evacuation part. Well, my father-in-law passed away when ds was eight weeks into his trip. Completely covered his ticket home. Well worth the $60 or so bucks it cost.
It’s a waste of money until you need it.