Trip Insurance

For trips when we buy it, I go to insuremytrip.com so I can get multiple quotes and compare. I've used them for three different trips. Whether or not you need it depends on your situation and circumstances. For us, one factor is where we are going, how much we have to pay in advance, and various other factors.

Travel insurance is a must. I would not leave home without it.

It is important to buy your insurance before or right after you buy your airline tickets. If you become sick or injured the policy will reimburse you before and during your trip.

My travel partner was injured before our tour and the insurance reimbursed her the full cost of the airline tickets plus the full cost of the tour which was over $3,000. The policy cost either $129 or $139.

Well worth the price.

Thank you both for the advice. We are buying our tickets this week; we will check out the insurance site before we do that.
Happy Travels.

Travel Insurance is very important.

My last trip to Israel a lady on our trip died as we all (including her husband) sat on the bus the 1st day of the tour. She died in her hotel room talking on the phone with her son that lives in Tel Aviv.

The Travel Insurance company paid for the body to be prepared for the airlines for international travel back to the states. The Travel Insurance reibursed her husband for the full cost of the airline tickets and the tour.

The Travel Insurance company paid for the son to escort his father and his mother's body back to the states.

BTW, our Travel Insurance cost either $129 or $139.

Also, 3 weeks prior to our departure from the states, my designated travel partner was seriously injured in an auto accident. The same Travel Insurance reimbursed her for her airline ticket and the cost of the tour!!!!!!!

As a result of my designated travel partner not making the tour, I got a room to myself for the entire tour....at no extra cost. These were 4 and 5 star hotels!

In addition, when we were getting on a bus at the Dead Sea, a lady fell and required stitched. The Travel Insurance.

From my first hand experience, I will always advise a person to buy Travel Insurance.

Don't leave home with out it.

I always get travel insurance. The price depends on how long your trip will be. In addition to what people have already said (covers medical expenses, fly your body home if you die, etc), it will cover all expenses to fly you home if you are seriously ill/injured and you need medical personnel to accompany you home. It covers a lot of things and is so inexpensive for what you get that I would never leave the US without it.

Paula,

Travel Medical Insurance is MOST DEFINITELY a good idea. I got an "annual policy" this year, as the cost is better than taking out a Policy each time I travel (whether to Europe, the U.S. or another part of Canada).

You might want to check the chapter on "Travel Insurance" in Europe Through The Back Door, as Rick provides a good analysis of the pros & cons of Baggage and Trip Cancellation insurance. These are often packaged separately in an overall travel policy.

You might check your local AAA office (if they offer insurance), as that's where I buy my travel policies. I believe the insurance coverage is actually provided by TravelGuard but I'm sure there are lots of firms in that market.

Good luck!

We get travel insurance for going TO the U.S. - since we leave in Italy and our covered by the public system here but have no insurance at all in America. We usually buy from CSA and their policies cover the trip and medical, which is what we are most concerned about.

Also, if you are on Medicare or Medicaid, doctor expenses here in Italy are not covered! My in-laws found this out the hard way 2 years ago - my father-in-law fell in the bathroom and broke several ribs. After the public hospital, he needed to spend some time in a private rehab hospital. They ended up paying that all out of pocket - which was a shock to them.

Also - in years past the Italians used to treat tourists at the hospitals and you would usually never see a bill - that is changing - and even if you are insured - the bills can come so after the fact that you insurer will simply deny the claim. I was hospitalized in Siena 11 years ago - the hospital was free, but the private doctor after card and x-rays at a lab, etc. I have to pay in cash.

So yes - I think it is worth it, especially if your trip is expensive, you are on Medicaid or Medicare, and/or you have not health insurance which covers you out of country (most policies don't so make sure to check).

One caveat - I have not seen prices as low as have been quoted here - maybe just for an airline ticket but not for a full trip including health.

We had Travel Insurance with World Nomads for our 8 week trip and it cost $129. The insurance for my trip to Israel was with Travel Mate.

Another point to mention......

Travel Medical Insurance policies seem to be designed more to provide coverage for major accidents or other serious medical problems (with of course exclusions for pre-existing conditions). I tend to not use my main Travel Insurance Policy for minor problems.

I decided to try a different method to take care of any minor medical issues, and joined This organization several years ago. They provide a list of English-speaking Doctors in various countries, who agree to treat patients for a "set" fee (about US$50-75 as I recall). I put it to the test on a visit to Rome several years ago, when I suffered some leg problems (too much walking!). There were several Clinics listed in Rome, and I chose to visit a Doctor at a Clinic near Piazza Navona. I found the service operated exactly as advertised, and I've renewed my membership for every trip. The organization also provides information on medical risks in various countries, so it's nice to have that information so that I can get vaccinations if these are required.

Cheers!

Great info Ken, Thanks!

Thanks for the link Ken. I will join prior to our trip.

Excellent, Ken! Thank you so much. With several medical challenges now, we will feel so much better (safer) with IAMAT as well as medjetassist. Thank you!

I use Travel Guard (AIG...they need all the help they can get). I usually spring for the Platinum level coverage which covers just about anything. You really do need travel insurance, not just to protect the cost of your trip, but mainly to take care of any medical expenses (including specialty transportation home) that you might incur.