Travel Insurance for DIY

Posted by Wayne (Nevada City, CA, USA) on 08/13/09 09:20 PM

I suppose a negative to my Sacramento to Athens, and beyond, returning to Sacramento, is trip insurance. Big agencies offer it. I've never used it, but the possibility of a miscue is always there. I may go DIY. I believe there are independent insurers, apart from major travel agencies, that can do this. In fact, when I went to Chile a few years ago, I found one that was one that would fly out out of any terrible situation you got yourself into. Say, falling off a cliff, and in need of rescue and evacuation home. The possibility of a problem on this trip is a little higher than normal. I plan to do a good bit of walking, but hurt my groin two weeks ago. Pulled muscle. It seems to be doing well, but I have kept a low walking/hiking profile.

Comments?

Posted by Nancy

Bloomington, IL, USA

08/13/09 09:40 PM

9363 posts

Go to www.insuremytrip.com.

There you can compare numerous policies from various companies to find exactly the policy you want. You choose what levels and types of coverage you want. Just click on whichever ones you want to compare and it will show you a chart.

Posted by Kent

US Pacific Northwest

08/13/09 10:02 PM

10344 posts

For traveler's medical and other short-term insurance, here are two that sites mentioned here in the past (and they're not the only choices):

http://www.travelguard.com/

http://www.insuremytrip.com/ (already mentioned by Nancy)

Whether to insure, and what risks to insure against, is a judgment call each traveler has to make; the obvious things that are mentioned here, as considerations, include:

1) whether your regular insurance covers you in Europe

2) pre-existing medical conditions

3) age

4) regardless of age, engaging in activities that--when done on vacation in Europe--may be considered by some to create additional risk of injury: cycling (in Italy!), even driving a rental car (in Italy!), etc.

Many people report here that they wouldn't leave home without at least traveler's medical and medical evacuation (separate coverage from medical)--regardless of age and health.

Others make a different judgment call.

Posted by Scott M.

Dallas, TX, USA

08/18/09 02:05 PM

1170 posts

Your insurance from home doesn't mean squat in a foreign country. Travel insurance is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost that you will incur if you get sick or injured abroad, especially if you need specialty transportation to get you back to the U.S. Some countries will demand their payment up front or won't let you leave until paid. You don't need that kind of hassle do you?

Posted by Lorri

Phenix City

08/19/09 03:18 PM

39 posts

http://www.squaremouth.com/ is a good site for reviewing and comparing travel insurance. Very user friendly.

Posted by Carol

Atlanta, GA, USA

08/19/09 08:51 PM

2745 posts

It sounds lik this trip is coming up soon. So READ the terms and conditions VERY carefully.

Most of the policies require you to buy within X days of spending the first cash (i.e., the plane ticket for most of us)

And if you have had treatment for this injury and then by the policy..it's probably going to be pre-existing and not covered.

Your home insurance may very well cover treatment (mine does) but you have to front the money to the provider and file for payment when you get home (and then who knows what they will decide to pay!)