Let's Talk About TRAVEL INSURANCE

[deepthroat]

Reading the reports from Pacman about his recent hospitalization (see thread here):
https://theladyboyforums.com/cgi-bin....=26479;

I've been thinking more about the need and acquisition of Travel Insurance. As I'll be turning 50 during my next trip, I guess I'd better stop thinking of myself as indestructible and start taking some measures to ensure I've got protection if I need.

So, what are the basics regarding Trip Insurance? Am I already covered via my medical insurance from my employer? Should I be waiting until the airport to buy some sort of policy from the kiosk at airport? Should I contact my regular insurance agent? What kind of things do I need to be sure are included, and what kind of costs can I expect?

[rxpharm]

Sometimes your work insurance does have travel medical - just check with your benefits information person. I am fortunate to have such coverage.

If you don't you can buy travel insurance for each trip, I know in Canada it costs around $100 Canadian for 30 days or less. If you travel more than once a year, you can opt for a package that covers you on an annual basis for multiple trips at a rate that would be less than paying for each trip.

Be clear about what they specify for coverage and benefits. It can vary from company to company.

[pacman]

And before you commit to any policy, do your own research as to the Insurance Companies standing. Will their policy be honoured?

I was amazed when the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital told me they have a long black list of insurance companies whose cover they reject due to previous unpaid bills. How the hell was the patient arriving at the hospital needing urgent treatment supposed to know that the cover he had wasn't worth the paper it was written on?

In my case that would have been very scary news...

[Chinaman]

I wonder whether such list of black-listed insurance companies could be obtained or it should actually show up on their website if a hospital has such. On the other hand companies might be added or taken off for whatever reason almost at random.

I consider the whole insurance biz a very tricky one. The longer one's history with a company, the more likely that they will pay out.

The cheaper the outfit the more suspicious I would be, but then I am of a suspicious nature in general :-(

I recently took out insurance with a company based in the US recommended by a buddy, but he knows that I do not really expect them to pay once a problem should come up - so, I either might be pleasantly surprised or my suspicions would be confirmed - almost a win-win situation ;-) Actually I hope that I will never need them and I consider the insurance premium a donation to the gods (or devils) of illnesses and diseases to keep them off my case.

But I would be very interested in reading about the Good, the Bad and the Dirty Ones here ...

Amen
CM

[Road Runner]

(Chinaman @ Sep. 27 2010,12:37) I wonder whether such list of black-listed insurance companies could be obtained or it should actually show up on their website if a hospital has such.

I think it highly unlikely there is any such list and equally unlikely that any hospital would answer queries from unknown parties about insurance companies.
It would leave them open to being sued for libel  -  remember litigation is the insurance companies business.

The only possibilty for information of that sort I would guess would be consumer information websites where you will find individual comments.

RR.

[azza33]

Credit card insurance is fine... just follow the rules of use and ensure full disclosure as required in any insurance document.

[Steff]

DT,
You company travel insurance coverage might be tied to business related travel and not personal. You should check with your human resources department or personnel.

Also why not just call your regular insurance broker and have a general discussion with them about travel insurance. Tell them now that you are getting older you intend to do more and more personal traveling during the course of a year and were wondering about obtaining proper medical and hospital insurance. Surely they would be able to provide you with various options.

As mentioned before I buy coverage on an annual basis and it costs me approximately $100.00 a year. It also covers my daughter and she has traveled extensively throughout the world. We are covered for 60 days per trip and the trips per year are unlimited. The policy covers all medical needs, doctors, hospital care, ambulance services, drugs, and repatriation back to Canada (dead or alive), et cetera. I had to use it at the same hospital as Pacman (Bangkok Pattaya) awhile back and it was a breeze. I called the 24 hour 1-800 number and told them about my condition.They simply gave me a claim number and told me to proceed as required. Which I did. The hospital then issued me an insurance claim form listing the treatments, drugs administered, and so on. Once I was back in Canada I prepared the claim, attached all the hospital receipts and documents, (even included the taxis costs to and from the hospital) then mailed the package. Within 2 weeks I was fully reimbursed with not so much as a phone call from the insurer.

The other good thing about buying an annual policy is that it is automatically renewed every year without any questions. In this way it is kind of like Life Insurance meaning that even if you develop new maladies over the years you are still covered as per the original terms and conditions.

Anyway, I still urge you to buy proper insurance before your next tour of booty. It is so easy to get sick while traveling, unexpected things occur, AND accidents happen every day. Please buy the insurance. I along with many others simply think it is the rational and prudent thing to do.

[El_hefe]

I have used Access America in the past, can't vouch for what they currently have on offer, but they are/were reputable.

The important thing is to ensure that any gaps in your current medical insurance overseas is filled. Don't forget about having med evac coverage to take you via air to the nearest recognized major medical center for traumatic injuries as well as covering the costs of flying your remains home in case of the worst case scenario. (I give a copy of my policy to my brother.)
Why burden your family with even more stress & costs if that happens?

[deepthroat]

(Road Runner @ Sep. 27 2010,19:12)

(Chinaman @ Sep. 27 2010,12:37) I wonder whether such list of black-listed insurance companies could be obtained or it should actually show up on their website if a hospital has such.

I think it highly unlikely there is any such list and equally unlikely that any hospital would answer queries from unknown parties about insurance companies.
It would leave them open to being sued for libel  -  remember litigation is the insurance companies business.

The only possibilty for information of that sort I would guess would be consumer information websites where you will find individual comments.

RR.

Actually I suspect it might be the opposite RR -

I am insured through work by CIGNA. When I went in for a procedure at a local hospital a couple of years ago, I was informed that they could not accept me as a client because their contract with CIGNA had lapsed. They were trying to negotiate a new contract, but CIGNA was playing hardball and the hospital was unwilling to perform procedures at the rates that CIGNA was trying to negotiate. So things broke down, and CIGNA customers were unable to have procedures done until the new contract was agreed.

It's probably the same with Bumgrad and the other major hospitals in LOS - if they won't accept an insurer, it's because they've been unable to negotiate a contract for payment at levels that are sufficient. And if that's the case, Bumgrad would be happy to tell the customers in advance so they can then put pressure on the insurer to come to the table and put together a contract that allows them to work together.

Just my best guess.

[pacman]

The Bangkok Pattaya Hospital has a large office of people just dealing with insurance claims. If I was considering a travel health policy to take out, I would email the hospital & ask for their guarantee that they accept cover from this particular company.

I would explain that I haven't committed to any policy & if they can't provide a guarantee for my nominated company, would they please supply a short list of insurers with whom I can expect not to have any trouble in settling claims.

I see no danger whatsoever from litigation from an offshore insurer. Firstly they must know they have been rejected previously for untoward practices, not something they would wish publicised, & secondly, no insurer would risk airing dirty laundry while attempting to litigate in the minefield of a third world legal system. It won't happen. Far better for the reputation of the insurer just to settle the amount rather than being dragged through the mud.

[deepthroat]

I checked with Cigna and they insist my coverage for emergencies including evacuations would be good in LOS but I'll need to check with my HR Dept for the details - the devil is always in the details. But assuming the info checks out and I don't have some horrendous copay or deductible, I'll write an email to the hospital to verify coverage acceptance. More to follow, I'll try to provide an email address that others can use in the future.

[TTChang]

I've had an annual travel insurance policy for all my trips over the last 8 years. Wouldn't be without it. Just renewed it.  I pay extra (£115 this year) to extend trip cover up to 180 days.  Which means I could return to UK for one day each year, and I'd be covered for medical care for 12 months abroad. That's good value IMO.  AXA are the insurance company.

I've claimed a couple of times, including hospitalization in Chiang Mai after being knocked down by a motor bike. When i returned to BKK that time, the insce co nominated Bangkok Hospital in Petchaburi (when I asked for Bumrungrad). As DT says, there is quite a battle between private hospitals and insurers about what level of fees are covered. So each insce co have a list of approved hospitals, and vice versa.

I'm not fussed about minor claims, lost baggage etc, but want to cover the very big risks.  During the red shirt occupation, my policy was null & void for any visit to Bangkok (apart from being in transit at the airport).  So i exited to Pattaya & Phuket asap ......  

[Road Runner]

(deepthroat @ Sep. 27 2010,21:43) When I went in for a procedure at a local hospital a couple of years ago.....

That is my point  -  you were in their hospital and talking to one of the staff or they wrote to you as a prospective patient  -  you did not just email them out of the blue.

I have no doubt if you contact a hospital they will answer general enquiries about which companies they deal with etc.
But they won't tell you if they have trouble getting the money from an individual company unless you are at the hospital or they think you will be.

Insurance companies have to protect their reputation  -  if most of the public perceived that they would not get payouts then the insurance companies would be out of business very quickly.
Private hospitals need patients that can pay the bills  -  if they have any chance of getting you in and getting money out of you that is what they will do.

RR.

[Road Runner]

(TTChang @ Sep. 28 2010,09:08) ....to extend trip cover up to 180 days.  Which means I could return to UK for one day each year, and I'd be covered for medical care for 12 months abroad.

While I am sure you have read the wording very carefully TTC       I would give a general warning to others about this.

Nearly all annual policies are cumulative  -  WTF?

They allow you a total number of days out of your country in one year.
So a 90 day policy would be a total of 90 days out of 365  -  NOT several lots of 90 days in a year with small gaps between.

Also:-
The countdow starts the minute your aircraft is booked to leave the tarmac in your home country and stops the minute it's scheduled to return.
It's the total time OUT of YOUR country NOT the number of days IN a foreign country.
Coming back into your country for less than 24 hours between periods out does not normally count.

Best of all:-
With most policies the cover stops on the day you exceed the total so you are insured up to that day.
But with some exceeding the total days could invalidate the cover for the whole period.


As they always say;-  Read the small print!

RR.

[Torurot]

Can't afford to have at least some medical insurance, then you can't afford the holiday.