"Help! I Fell in Sicily and my Travel Insurance Ditched Me"

Thanks for the post. I want to point out that the aggrieved customer did not seem to have a strong grasp of the conditions and exclusions of her policy. Many posters here are strangely reluctant to read the 20-page policy that would reveal some bad news in advance.

For example, many policies limit payment to the amount insured. But to reduce premium cost (!), some customers low-ball the cost of the trip. Result: Maybe Business Air Fare is not covered unless you need real Medical Evacuation. That's also why many Trip Cancellation policies require "Full Cost of the Trip" to be insured. So if you don't allow for the final cruise-fare payment, or the last hotel that required a full-payment in advance, your ENTIRE Cancellation claim might be denied.

I also found that I could not (different company) make a medical claim unless I submitted a (denied) claim from Medicare. That's just a hurdle designed to deter small claims like the one I was contemplating. None of this is really rocket science, but it requires adult levels of attention to fine print.

I would not post this pompous reply if I had not bought almost two dozen Trip Insurance policies since my parents began to ... age. Luckily, I learned from my policies (Travelex, mostly) that the Pre-Existing Conditions waiver applies to the health of the Travelers, and not to anyone else, like "Immediate Family Members." I called up the company to confirm that.

I appreciate articles like this, I just hope I never need to use the information. I like to reread coverage policies from time to time, but I do wonder how much knowledge I'd retain during a stressful situation when I need it and I wonder how proactive insurance companies really are when it comes to helping in a time of need. It's likely not a caring as the websites usually portray.

Luckily, I learned from my policies (Travelex, mostly) that the
Pre-Existing Conditions waiver applies to the health of the Travelers,
and not to anyone else, like "Immediate Family Members."

Another quirk of preexisting conditions that I once read in a policy. I was covered for trip interruption and transport home in case of an emergency or death of a family member not on the trip, but not if that family member died from a preexisting condition. So if they should die of cancer while I'm gone, I'm not covered, but if they should get hit by a bus while they have cancer, I'm covered.

It is impossible to fully prepare for what might come.

I was on a very interesting discussion about travel insurance. I think that it was cruise related.

The poster had gone to Greece and was on an an excursion with donkeys. He was walking up a narrow path beside the donkeys.

He slipped and fell in donkey poo and did a lot of damage to his ankles and legs. I can not remember the details but I think that he had to be medically evacuated. I think he had to have several operations and was laid up for a very long time.

It cost him thousands and thousands of dollars.

He had insurance but I can not remember if the insurance really came through or if he got let down. Even if the insurance did come through, sometimes you are still left with a big bill.

We buy insurance but we never know how it will work or not work until we need to use it. We really can not fully prepare for what is next.

Yeah, I think many people are very confused in what they believe their insurance will pay for, and what they actually paid for and what the terms and conditions of the policy states.

The Traveler believing that someone would find, schedule, help as translator, and make all arrangements to get home, is a bit much for a simple trip insurance.

There is another quirk that I noticed, that is very much American, is telling the Doctor what to say in a letter to justify business class in place of your coach ticket. It seems lots of people go to the Doctor, knowing more of what they want, rather than letting the Doctor decide. Truth be told, the Doctor likely told them to rest in-country for some time and not travel. I also assume that the policy did not include evacuation, except to the nearest place of care. That usually needs to be procured separately, or at least added on.

In the end, the person did OK.

Prophet, thanks for sharing. Interestingly it states she should have recorded her calls to Seven Corners trip insurance. I would never think of this. As a former stock broker all our calls were recorded and the firm must maintain call records for five years. I would expect an insurance company to do that also and not erase recordings after one year.

My question to anyone more tech savvy than me is How do you record a phone conversation on an iPhone? Mine is a 13 pro max. Google search gave me round about info, like record a speaker phone conversation with your Apple Watch. Not helpful info, especially if 1) you don’t have an Apple Watch or 2) you’re in the hospital and can only access your cell phone.

All the more reason to understand your insurance policies before you travel. Besides travel insurance (Allianz), I always buy Medjet evacuation.

I also have medjet coverage. I hope I never need to use it, but I feel better about having it.
I feel for the woman in the article. It is hard to deal with these sorts of details when you are injured and in a country where you don't speak the primary language.

I do remember one of our forum regulars also reported a negative experience with seven corners insurance prior to this. Her claim was for trip disruption due to covid and she did not feel that she received the service that she should have as well.

FWIW I had a successful interaction with Seven Corners last year for a trip interruption issue (not medical). It took many, many months and a lot of documentation, but it was resolved in line with the terms of my policy. I also would have never thought to record phone calls with them - in my panic I was just wanting to get home. Guess I'll do some research how to do that!

Since my father was a life and health actuary, our family probably talked about insurance in general more than most. But it never ceases to amaze me that so many people reach adulthood without realizing that you really do need to read an insurance policy if you want to know what it actually covers.

I also would not think to record calls!
How????
Not everyone travels with more than one “device”!
Some have no devices!

When I got Covid in Florence last year and had to stay 5 more days so I would be well enough to travel home, I made three calls to my insurance company from Florence.
I was not ill enough to look for a doctor, but too unwell to travel.
I am a retired RN, and had all the meds I needed with me to recover in isolation.
Each time, three different agents told me I didn’t need to see a doctor, just to get an official test and form from a Pharmacy , which I did, and to submit all expenses when I got home.
I did that, and they would only pay approximately two thirds of my submitted expense, “because you did not seek medical help”.
They said they only paid me that much “as a gesture of goodwill.”
No amount of explaining would convince them that their own agents had said otherwise, and they actually said they had no recordings.
I had added an extra policy in advance for Covid coverage.
Next time I guess I’ll just walk the streets , coughing and spreading my germs on my hunt for a doctor or clinic.
Even if I had thought of recording my calls, I had no way of doing so!, and was by myself.

BCAA, if anyone in Canada is thinking of using them.

.

My USAA travel policy is about 60 pages. Try reading those 60 pages on your phone late at night at the airport. Thankfully, I never had to file a claim on that issue, as the airline finally gave us hotel rooms and a direct flight on another carrier - but it was 24 hours later.
Safe travels!

Carol- Your mention of MedJet reminded me that I've been meaning to sign up with them. I just pulled the trigger, but not before joining AARP for the discount.

I'm still 46, so that was a bit of a moment. But I have a new mystery twinge in my knee and I cant find my readers, so I guess it's fitting...

The biggest problem is being alone without a partner to listen to the doctor, interpreter, or insurance company. Add to that the pain of broken bones or the daze from pain medication while trying to understand what to do. The poor woman was depending on a tour guide who had her own job to do. This was probably the root of all problems. A family member, spouse or child or grandchild, or if a friend or partner is allowed, s the one who needs to assemble all the information and run interface with the doctors and hospital. This is even when dealing in your own country and language, and even more necessary in a new environment.

Last year I bought an Allianz Premier annual policy to cover two tours. It has since expired, as has my Medjet annual policy. Before next September's tour, I will buy the same. I leave the long insurance docs at home with my hubby who does not have a passport and with my sister-in-law or friend who both have passports. I take the account numbers, contact information, declaration pages and download both apps.

Besides the obvious reasons for insurance, Allianz has a clause to fly a companion to your bedside. Fortunately, I have not needed to use either insurance.
Transport to Bedside (Bringing a friend or family member to you)
If you are told by the treating doctor that you will be hospitalized for more than 48 hours during your trip, we
will arrange and pay for round-trip transportation in economy class on a travel carrier for one friend or family
member to stay with you.
The following condition applies:
a. You or someone on your behalf must contact us, and we must make all transportation arrangements in
advance. If we did not authorize and arrange the transportation, we will only pay up to what we would have
paid if we had made the arrangements.

horsewoofie, You can’t record a phone call on an iPhone. Unless you have two iPhones, lol, one for talking on Speaker and the other to record. I asked my son, who works for Apple, this very question a few days ago. Apple should develop this feature as it would be very useful. If they did, they could sell more phones to those who want the most current features. Win-win for them.

In Massachusetts it is illegal to record a conversation without getting the other person's permission on the recording. It could be we are not the only state that prohibits recording. I think you'd need to know this information depending on whom and where the parties are located.

She could have just confirmed the conversations via email afterwards, if indeed her story is correct. People often do not do their due diligence and assume insurance companies are social workers versus a business in a legal contract/policy, IMO.

horsewoofie, what Susan said. Although if you put the phone call on speaker, you could record it with another device.

Just be aware that some states have laws prohibiting the recording of conversations without both parties' consent. Not all do. Ohio, for example, only requires one party's consent. But just something to keep in mind.

Maybe this is a dumb question but if you’re recording a call with your insurance company or to local doctors while overseas & not in MA, what would it matter that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any US state doesn’t allow calls to be recorded without both parties’ consent?

Thanks scudder, for the tip to enroll in AARP for a Medjet discount.
Thanks Bets - your points are so true for solos - when traveling abroad or here in the US
And thank you all for the information about recording calls as proof of statements made by phone. Seeking email confirmation immediately after a conversation with an insurance rep is the way to go, but as stated earlier, doing so in an emergency may be impossible.

Well this whole thread is a bit depressing to me. Discussions of you have to read 20 pages or more of an insurance policy, you really should travel with a partner to help you if you are ill, the pre-existing condition waiver does not apply to a family member's illness or death back home, the insurance company may disallow payment even if you followed their instructions, some insurance will pay for a friend or relative to fly to Europe to be with you if you are ill, but the company needs to make the travel arrangements. This last one is interesting. Would they book the cheapest, most uncomfortable flight such as one with many layovers to save them money? I would really owe a friend big time if they had to fly to Europe to be with me.

Even though my doctor says I am in excellent health, as an older person who finds themselves without a travel partner, this really makes me hesitant to travel as much as I would like.

kaydee, It's definitely food for thought. For me, the take away is to know how to proceed, not have a tour guide fill in during free time but agree to a professional. Have a designated medical power of attorney, which we all need even if we never leave our houses. The hospitals have social workers who can find the interpreters. Personally, I'd want a hand holder and second set of ears and eyes and would speak with my hardworking offspring about how much I could count on them interrupting their lives to run interference for me. It can be done both long-distance and bedside. It's a question of preparation as we hit the upper decades, and empowering whoever has your medical power of attorney and cross your fingers that the person has good organizational skills, too.

kaydee and Bets as well as others

"Something Bad" might happen while traveling but "Something Bad" might happen while sitting in my apartment. If given my choice, I would rather die while traveling than die in a medicare funded nursing home, the latter being really depressing.

I am one old somewhat gutsy lady who has no family left. I rely on social services and friends and the goodness of others.

I am in decent health and travel alone. My choice is to take one cruise a year.

One time at a get together on a cruise, I asked the captain or another officer about those who die naturally while on a cruise. Given all the cruises that leave every day all over the world, there must be some who die naturally and unexpectedly while on the ship. I was told that they do have refrigerated spaces where they keep the body until .... (wherever they release the body.)

So if "something bad" happens to me while I am on my yearly vacation, I am going to have to depend on social services and help from other professionals including persons with big hearts. They are out there.

But this reminds me of a supervisor at my last job. She had. a car wreck while coming home from my company and required an ambulance. While she was being loaded into the ambulance, someone stole her purse. Imagine someone traveling and having this happen to them.

I do have my Medical Power of Attorney and my Directives to Physicians made out and distributed. I think that I am going to take a copy with me. Everyone should have those forms made out and distributed no matter what age or whether traveling or not traveling.

To Bets, food for thought indeed. Yours is a good suggestion to not rely on a tour guide to serve as your sole interpreter and/ or liaison in case of an emergency. Good to know that in a hospital setting a social worker could refer to a professional interpreter that one could hire. This might also be needed if one is traveling with a partner who does not speak the language.

I have been on several cruises where there have been natural deaths- three where it happened multiple times.

Statistically it will almost certainly happen on a cruise of over a week. If protocols are followed properly the rest of the passengers are not supposed to know what happened.

The deceased and their travel partner are, in my experience, usually dis-embarked at the next available port. I have even encountered that happening at a tender port in the Pacific Ocean, where it would have been more logical to keep them on board for another 2 days to Tahiti (as their final flight had to connect in Tahiti anyway). And another time a deceased Brit being disembarked at Cobh when we were due back into Bristol next day anyway (the 3rd one way voyage on that cruise). And strangely the badly handled Police presence next morning showed that it was being registered in the UK, not Ireland.

I have no surviving family either. If I were to decease overseas I wouldn't want to be a burden to anyone back home and just be disposed of in the country where I died.

The thought that one day I might have to rely on social services horrifies me, but is likely inevitable on some future date.

This thread has become really cheerful!!

I would rather die while traveling than die in a medicare funded nursing home, the latter being really depressing

Please keep in mind that Medicare doesn't cover long term care. Hopefully you have LT Care insurance - yet another policy where you need to read the fine print. If you don't have the coverage, you may need to go on Medicaid or another form of public assistance - after "spending down" your assets in order to qualify.

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