need insurance other than medical?

[jillfeng85]

My health insurance has worldwide coverage, including medical evacuation. I used Chase Sapphire to book the trip, and it covers cancellation or delay due to sickness, weather, the basic things. I think that this is as much as the basic coverage plan offered by insurance company for a cruise trip or other trips. So unless I am willing to pay a lot more to get a very complete plan, I don't see extra benefits to buy the basic comprehensive plan. Am I right about it? I have never bought travel insurance before, so please correct me if I am wrong.

[klfrodo]

My health insurance has worldwide coverage, including medical evacuation..

 

This statement is my only concern. I think you need a very pointed conversation with your insurance provider and ask some very direct questions.

My employer provide health insurance also covers me outside of the US. However, when asked specific questions and answers received I still purchase travel insurance.

 

1. Am I covered outside of the US?

Yes, at "Out of Network" costs

2. If I need evacuated from a ship, will that expense be covered.

Yes, just like an ambulance. To the nearest medical facility that can treat your condition.

3. If I need continued care and am not ambulatory, will you cover to get me back to my hometown.

No

4. If I need major surgery and I am not able to pay up front, will you help or provide a letter of guarantee payment? No

5. If I need to be evacuated back to the US, will you pay for family members? No

6. If I die, will you pay to repatriate my remains?

No

 

With all that being said, we have some limited coverages from our current health insurance provider,,, I still feel medical through a travel insurance plan, even if only secondary, is a good way to go.

[jillfeng85]

Great tips! So I went to check my insurance policy, the answers are YES fortunately.

 

If I have sufficient medical coverage, and coverage from my credit card for delay or cancellation due to weather or illness, do I still need to buy a basic travel insurance plan? Any extra benefits from that?

[cherylandtk]

Jillfeng,

Travel Insurance is for specific, named perils only; it is not 'anything that goes wrong' coverage. While travel delays are included in most plans, they have both time and coverage amount limitations. Which is why same day flights are generally not booked by experienced cruisers even with insurance.

 

The most useful part of most travel insurance is the medical coverage, secondly is probably the cancellation/interruption (again usually for medical reasons). Thirdly is the incidental coverages; lost bags, missed connections, and whatnot. You've stated your medical covers you worldwide. Chase coverage is $5000 per trip. If that is more than your trip costs, then you are probably also covered for a cancellation or interruption. (There is a 60 day lookback for Pre Existing conditions, which are excluded from coverage.)

 

If your primary reason then for buying insurance is to cover the incidentals, you would be better off spending that money on a hotel room the night before.

Edited August 14, 2015 by cherylandtk

[jillfeng85]

Thank you so much for the thorough response! Yes. I will get in a day earlier and pay for hotel, rather than for insurance.

 

Jillfeng,

Travel Insurance is for specific, named perils only; it is not 'anything that goes wrong' coverage. While travel delays are included in most plans, they have both time and coverage amount limitations. Which is why same day flights are generally not booked by experienced cruisers even with insurance.

 

The most useful part of most travel insurance is the medical coverage, secondly is probably the cancellation/interruption (again usually for medical reasons). Thirdly is the incidental coverages; lost bags, missed connections, and whatnot. You've stated your medical covers you worldwide. Chase coverage is $5000 per trip. If that is more than your trip costs, then you are probably also covered for a cancellation or interruption. (There is a 60 day lookback for Pre Existing conditions, which are excluded from coverage.)

 

If your primary reason then for buying insurance is to cover the incidentals, you would be better off spending that money on a hotel room the night before.

[Hlitner]

The issue of how one actually handles the payment for care, and the coverage are two different issues. As to payment, most medical policies (either Travel or your regular policy) may not be willing to directly pay foreign medical providers. There are some exceptions such as the GeoBlue Policy which does list some recommended providers who will often accept insurance "assignment." But in a majority of cases a provider may require you to pay the bill (usually by credit card) prior to discharge. You then submit all the info to your insurance companie(s) and wait to be reimbursed. And this can be a real pain as some USA insurers insist that the medical bills be in English (or you might have to pay for a translator). Another complication is that in some countries and medical facilities to the hospital bill does not have the level of detail preferred by North American insurance companies.

 

As to "Out of Network" or "Usual and Customary" these terms are always a nightmare for policy holders. You have no control over what you are charged for services, but insurance companies have their "secret" limits which they will seldom be negotiated. While in the USA, participating providers must accept the payment limits this is not true in other countries. This means you might get reimbursed for 100% of charges....or you might only get a percentage. One never knows until it all plays out.

 

Hank