Reason #678 to appreciate this Forum- check your insurance for changes

Good reminder, Allan. I've been surprised by some recent forum posts by people who don't read any of the details, they'd be hard pressed in a stressful situation to even know where to begin. For myself, I am going to add "audit travel insurance coverage" to my pre-trip checklist, especially since I recently changed credit cards.

@ Allan

Your alert is astute and wise.

You and I have the political and legal systems that are remarkably similar.

I think additionally, there is a legal principle that it is wise for one to be aware of: Force majeure.

Here is a Canadian Government paper which was prepared after Covid had affected all manner of contractual arrangements.
https://opo-boa.gc.ca/forcemajeure-eng.html

Most interactions in our daily life involve contracts, both formal and informal. In travel our transport arrangement and insurances are formal and backed by legislation, international agreements and conventions and case law decisions. As are credit cards.

Just offered as an example to widened knowledge in this area. The information on the doctrine of frustration might be worth knowing.

The paper has this disclaimer: This study is not legal advice and should not be relied on as legal advice. Any such reliance will be at the sole risk of the user.

Regards Ron

It's a good wake up call to keep on top of your coverage before every trip

Allan, Thanks for the reminder. My Medjet annual policy expires in August. My Italy trip is in September. Not only do I need to renew, but, because I'm now 75 when Medjet's application and coverage changes, I need to compare it with medical evac companies like AirMed. He-who-shall-not-be named's war may be changing medial and security evac coverage.

Do insurers have an obligation to notify customers about changes to their coverage?

@Scandifan, apparently not. I've never received notifications of these changes.

CL and others

I confess. I am one of those who does not thoroughly check her health insurance policy.

In fact I did not know that health insurance is included when I cover my flight until I called Allianz to add health insurance for my trip to Paris. All these years I have insured my flight never knowing health insurance was also covered.

Because France now requires health insurance and because of the machines at the Paris airport, I called Allianz about health insurance.

Allianz has sent me a proof of insurance email which includes a description of coverage. If something bad happens to me, I will call Allianz first.

My credit cards do not offer health insurance But I believe that I have a number to call in case I have an emergency when abroad.

I have a case worker and patient advocate here in Austin. They are listed as persons to call in case of emergency.

Sadly I have no family left and I travel alone. I am registered with the State Department but they offer no assistance, is that correct?

But I have a question. Many insurances , if not most, require you to pay up front and then you get reimbursed by your policy. So what do you do with a $5,000 bill? Do you have to pay up front and then get reimbursed? What about a $20,000 bill in case of a fall requiring surgery? What if you do not have the money to pay up front?

Heading to Paris in less than a week. Will be keeping forum updated.

But I have a question. Many insurances , if not most, require you to
pay up front and then you get reimbursed by your policy. So what do
you do with a $5,000 bill? Do you have to pay up front and then get
reimbursed? What about a $20,000 bill in case of a fall requiring
surgery? What if you do not have the money to pay up front?

BostonPhil this is why reading your specific policy is important so you can prepare a contingency plan for your own unique circumstances. I believe if your injuries were severe the medical service providers are first going to help you and then sort out the payment later. In any case, every traveler should have available credit on a credit card to cover emergencies as well as a way to access any bank funds from overseas.

I agree with the OP's suggestion that every person should know exactly what is covered and who is covering it before leaving on a trip. Trying to sort that out in a stressful situation overseas while possibly not speaking the local language is a recipe for an unpleasant situation.

Thanks Allan! The devil is indeed in the detail when it comes to insurance. Our grandfather (born in 1886) taught us that insurance is one of the cheapest ways to improve our lives. So we carry quite a bit more than we (hopefully) would need. And oh my, it could be catastrophic for someone younger than us to get stranded.

• Thanks to the Forum, I've added Medjet insurance to get me back to CA if I have a medical condition that can't be treated locally, as 'medical insurance' does not usually include evacuation insurance. https://medjetassist.com/.
• A friend on a bike trip to Italy with someone who had a horrible biking accident was completely covered byGeoBlue Trekker Choice, it's quite reasonable for a million dollars of medical coverage, much more generous than other policies, so we have that as well.

How MUCH medical does one really have? Medicare coverage is pay out of pocket and get reimbursed up to $50,000, if you have it at all, look at individual policy. I called my HMO twice just to understand the details, then I printed it all out & carry it back & forth across the Atlantic! Ha.

Cl

Appreciate the info and you are right.

Will be sleeping at the airport Monday (and not in a hotel). i will try to look over the information which I know is late but best I can do this trip.