Never bought trip insurance…where to start

[0106]

Although we have traveled frequently to many distant places, I’ve never bought trip insurance and don’t where to start.

 

My husband just turned 70; I’m 61.  We have Kaiser health insurance in addition to his required Medicare.  We have two cruises booked in 2023: 11 days in the Caribbean and 15 days beginning in Amsterdam and a transatlantic crossing.

 

I guess I’m most concerned about him having a medical issue.  How should I begin my research?

Edited November 30, 2022 by 0106

[horseymike]

Steve and the people at his agency do a great job. I have bought 1 travel policy for a cruise with them, even though luckily we did not need to use it, The folks at this agency were very knowledgeable when explaining the finer points and options for travel insurance that is best your situation.

Hope you have a great time on your cruises.

Edited December 2, 2022 by horseymike

[zzdoug]

I have bought insurance online through travel guard. It's an agency that sells many policies from many carriers. Tbh it's not so easy to distinguish among them and I'm not 100% sure the Nationwide Cruise policy I bought covered the risks I was most concerned about, even after talking with one of their agents. Maybe Steve is more helpful. 

 

On the other hand, that policy ended up covering a change in routing - something I didn't even think about when buying the policy- and it did pay my claim for that. (Took a while though. )

 

[zzdoug]

2 hours ago, zzdoug said:

I have bought insurance online through travel guard. It's an agency that sells many policies from many carriers. Tbh it's not so easy to distinguish among them and I'm not 100% sure the Nationwide Cruise policy I bought covered the risks I was most concerned about, even after talking with one of their agents. Maybe Steve is more helpful. 

 

On the other hand, that policy ended up covering a change in routing - something I didn't even think about when buying the policy- and it did pay my claim for that. (Took a while though. )

 

correction, i used insure my trip.

[iamtrustworthy]

On 11/30/2022 at 1:37 PM, 0106 said:

Although we have traveled frequently to many distant places, I’ve never bought trip insurance and don’t where to start.

 

My husband just turned 70; I’m 61.  We have Kaiser health insurance in addition to his required Medicare.  We have two cruises booked in 2023: 11 days in the Caribbean and 15 days beginning in Amsterdam and a transatlantic crossing.

 

I guess I’m most concerned about him having a medical issue.  How should I begin my research?

Hi 0106,

 

For starters, are you mainly looking for coverage should he get ill or injured on your trip? Or, do you also want Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage (these include Emergency Medical & Evacuation coverage)?

 

Emergency Medical & Evacuation coverage is a lot less expensive than Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage because you wouldn't be getting your money back that you paid for the trip.

Once you have that the answer, respond back here and I'll tell you what to do.

 

Steve Dasseos

[0106]

Although I don’t want to cancel a trip because of a medical emergency prior to the trip, I could handle that financial loss.  I am more concerned about a medical emergency that happens during the cruise.  I’m really unsure of what I need.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

On 12/3/2022 at 10:21 AM, 0106 said:

Although I don’t want to cancel a trip because of a medical emergency prior to the trip, I could handle that financial loss.  I am more concerned about a medical emergency that happens during the cruise.  I’m really unsure of what I need.

 

Were in same boat, concerned about Medical during the trip.

Can get Princess Plat coverage for price of Standard, but thinking

an Annual Policy might work better as we have so many more trips planned in 2023.

Including Scandinavia, Meditt., Panama canal. Also and a few one week crusies, but they are local USA.

 

Wondering what cost might be for annual policy instead of the Plat. coverage PER cruise?  Thinking we need Emergency Medical & Evacuation coverage. 

(Not refund for cruise as ours are casino comp bookings)

Thank you

Ps were not retired Yet & have Blue cross ins..

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by CalLuvsCrusingToo

[iamtrustworthy]

On 12/3/2022 at 12:21 PM, 0106 said:

Although I don’t want to cancel a trip because of a medical emergency prior to the trip, I could handle that financial loss.  I am more concerned about a medical emergency that happens during the cruise.  I’m really unsure of what I need.

Hi No168,

 

I suggest you get the Geo Blue Trekker (Multi-Trip) Essential or Choice plan for your trips outside the USA that aren't longer than 70 days for any one trip. The Essential and Choice plans cover pre-existing conditions. Based on your age 59, the prices for one year are $151 or $175 respectively.

 

You may see all the Geo Blue Trekker plan details here:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

Steve Dasseos

[iamtrustworthy]

14 hours ago, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

 

Were in same boat, concerned about Medical during the trip.

Can get Princess Plat coverage for price of Standard, but thinking

an Annual Policy might work better as we have so many more trips planned in 2023.

Including Scandinavia, Meditt., Panama canal. Also and a few one week crusies, but they are local USA.

 

Wondering what cost might be for annual policy instead of the Plat. coverage PER cruise?  Thinking we need Emergency Medical & Evacuation coverage. 

(Not refund for cruise as ours are casino comp bookings)

Thank you

Ps were not retired Yet & have Blue cross ins..

 

Hi CalLuvsCrusingToo,

 

What are your current ages?

 

Steve Dasseos

[0106]

Thank you for your reply @iamtrustworthy  I have reviewed the policy. What does this eligibility requirement statement mean?  

• Resident(s) of the United States except MD, NY and WA
  I live in MD.

Edited December 7, 2022 by 0106

[No168]

2 hours ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi No168,

 

I suggest you get the Geo Blue Trekker (Multi-Trip) Essential or Choice plan for your trips outside the USA that aren't longer than 70 days for any one trip. The Essential and Choice plans cover pre-existing conditions. Based on your age 59, the prices for one year are $151 or $175 respectively.

 

You may see all the Geo Blue Trekker plan details here:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

Steve Dasseos

 

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks much for your advice.

 

When I run the multi-trip quote through the link you provided, it shows $151 and $220 respectively. Am I looking at the wrong thing, since it is showing $220 instead of $175, for the Choice plan?

 

I have also heard good things about Travel Insured, regarding their per trip insurance. I see they offer an annual plan as well. Could you share what leads you to prefer Geo Blue Trekker's annual plan over the Travel Insured's version?

 

Melissa

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

6 hours ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi CalLuvsCrusingToo,

 

What are your current ages?

 

Steve Dasseos

66 + 68

[iamtrustworthy]

On 12/7/2022 at 4:24 PM, No168 said:

 

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks much for your advice.

 

When I run the multi-trip quote through the link you provided, it shows $151 and $220 respectively. Am I looking at the wrong thing, since it is showing $220 instead of $175, for the Choice plan?

 

I have also heard good things about Travel Insured, regarding their per trip insurance. I see they offer an annual plan as well. Could you share what leads you to prefer Geo Blue Trekker's annual plan over the Travel Insured's version?

 

Melissa

Hi Melissa,

 

> When I run the multi-trip quote through the link you provided, it shows $151 and $220 respectively. Am I looking at the wrong thing, since it is showing $220 instead of $175, for the Choice plan?

 

No, you're right. I gave you the right price for the Essential, but the wrong price for the Choice plan. Sorry about that!

 

> I have also heard good things about Travel Insured, regarding their per trip insurance. I see they offer an annual plan as well. Could you share what leads you to prefer Geo Blue Trekker's annual plan over the Travel Insured's version?

 

Travel Insured's a good company and I've sold their trip cancellation plans for over 20 years with not any problems, but their medical plan is new so I need to see how well it handles claims over a longer period of time.

 

As for Geo Blue, if you go to a medical facility in Geo Blue's large network, Geo Blue will pay your claims directly which is a big convenience.

 

Steve Dasseos

[iamtrustworthy]

On 12/7/2022 at 8:20 PM, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

66 + 68

Hi CalLuvsCrusingToo,

 

I suggest you also get the same Geo Blue Trekker (Multi-Trip) Essential or Choice plan for your trips outside the USA that aren't longer than 70 days for any one trip. The Essential and Choice plans cover pre-existing conditions. Based on your ages 66 & 68, the prices for one year are $294 or $460 respectively.

 

You may see all the Geo Blue Trekker plan details here:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

Steve Dasseos

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

Thanks Steve, will have to study which one....

Do you recommend we also take out the Princess Insurance coverage on top of this?

Or is this annual plan in lieu of Princess Ins.?

(Like I said, getting reimbursed for cruises is not a huge expense due to casino comps)

 

Also, We might be on Medicare by the time a couple of these (14-15 day)

cruises roll around next year.  I believe medicare doesn't cover outside the USA,

so didn't know if one plan or the other was better? Thanks again

 

 

 

[iamtrustworthy]

3 hours ago, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

Thanks Steve, will have to study which one....

Do you recommend we also take out the Princess Insurance coverage on top of this?

Or is this annual plan in lieu of Princess Ins.?

(Like I said, getting reimbursed for cruises is not a huge expense due to casino comps)

 

Also, We might be on Medicare by the time a couple of these (14-15 day)

cruises roll around next year.  I believe medicare doesn't cover outside the USA,

so didn't know if one plan or the other was better? Thanks again

 

 

 

Hi CalLuvsCrusingToo,

 

If you're mainly paying port taxes & fees, would you have very much other prepaid non-refundable trip costs? If so, you're probably better off getting a Trip Cancellation plan that's not the Princess plan.

 

If you do get a different Trip Cancellation plan, then you may not need the Geo Blue plan.

 

And, here's how you find out about Medicare's coverage outside the USA:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/medicare-does-not-cover-you-outside-the-usa/

 

Steve Dasseos

Edited December 10, 2022 by iamtrustworthy
typo

[ocalaman]

Hello holland wants $560 per person for their insurance which covers the followingcancel for any reason

valid any time before travel commences sea land and or air

refunds 90% of eligible cancellation charges 

$500 trip delay coverage

up to 10,000 of medical expensive coverage includes pandemics up to 50K for emergency evacuation

 

Ok how is your insurance better and does it cover all the above medical is more of what I am looking into  please and emergency evacuation.  

[0106]

@iamtrustworthy  Please see post #8 where you quoted me.  I reviewed the Geo Blue Trekker plan you referenced with this link:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

What does this eligibility requirement statement mean?  

Resident(s) of the United States except MD, NY and WA
I live in MD.  

Can I still use this insurance?

 

 

[klfrodo]

3 hours ago, 0106 said:

@iamtrustworthy  Please see post #8 where you quoted me.  I reviewed the Geo Blue Trekker plan you referenced with this link:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

 

What does this eligibility requirement statement mean?  

Resident(s) of the United States except MD, NY and WA
I live in MD.  

Can I still use this insurance?

 

 

The answer to your question is No.

Each State has a regulatory agency that monitors and approves who and what policies can be sold in their State. I have the same issue as a resident of Washington State.

For some reason (which I have not found the answer to) Geo Blue and these 3 States cannot come to an agreement on a certain aspect/definition/ or whatever to where GeoBlue can be sold to residents of these States. It's a pain for sure. But then again, I am able to purchase a policy that many others cannot purchase in their State. An example is the waiver for pre-existing conditions. I don't have to ensure my entire non-refundable trip costs for that waiver to be included.

[0106]

@iamtrustworthy Could you confirm that I unable to use Geo Blue Trekker because I live in Md?

 

Please make an alternative suggestion for MD residents.  My husband just turned 70; I’m 61.  We have Kaiser health insurance in addition to his required Medicare.  We have two cruises booked in 2023: 11 days in the Caribbean and 15 days beginning in Amsterdam and a transatlantic crossing.   I am concerned about a medical emergency that happens during the cruise.  

[iamtrustworthy]

15 hours ago, 0106 said:

@iamtrustworthy  Please see post #8 where you quoted me.  I reviewed the Geo Blue Trekker plan you referenced with this link:

https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

 

What does this eligibility requirement statement mean?  

Resident(s) of the United States except MD, NY and WA
I live in MD.  

Can I still use this insurance?

 

 

Hi 0106,

 

Oh. this is my mistake. I forgot that you live in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the Geo Blue plans aren't available to you.

 

It's worth asking Maryland's Insurance Dept why they haven't approved this for sale there.

 

I'm sorry about my mistake,

 

Steve Dasseos

[iamtrustworthy]

7 hours ago, 0106 said:

@iamtrustworthy Could you confirm that I unable to use Geo Blue Trekker because I live in Md?

 

Please make an alternative suggestion for MD residents.  My husband just turned 70; I’m 61.  We have Kaiser health insurance in addition to his required Medicare.  We have two cruises booked in 2023: 11 days in the Caribbean and 15 days beginning in Amsterdam and a transatlantic crossing.   I am concerned about a medical emergency that happens during the cruise.  

Hi 0106,

 

Oh. this is my mistake. I forgot that you live in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the Geo Blue plans aren't available to you.

 

It's worth asking Maryland's Insurance Dept why they haven't approved this for sale there.

 

I'm sorry about my mistake on this.

 

> Please make an alternative suggestion for MD residents.  My husband just turned 70; I’m 61.  We have Kaiser health insurance in addition to his required Medicare.  We have two cruises booked in 2023: 11 days in the Caribbean and 15 days beginning in Amsterdam and a transatlantic crossing.   I am concerned about a medical emergency that happens during the cruise. 

 

In the last 60 days, have either of you had any medication changes or had treatment for or been diagnosed with any medical condition that could worsen and, in turn, cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip? Or that could cause you to seek treatment on your trip?

 

Steve Dasseos

[klfrodo]

8 minutes ago, iamtrustworthy said:

 

 

It's worth asking Maryland's Insurance Dept why they haven't approved this for sale there.

 

 

Good morning Steve,

 

Just a quick follow-up.

I sent an e-mail to my States Insurance Commissioner asking why Geo Blue wasn't available to residents in Washington. Their reply was cryptic to say the least. They replied something to the effect of, Geo Blue could be available if they met our requirements.  WHAT?  I replied asking about the missed requirement and never received a response.

I waited a couple of years and asked again. Never received a response

[0106]

1 hour ago, iamtrustworthy said:

 

In the last 60 days, have either of you had any medication changes or had treatment for or been diagnosed with any medical condition that could worsen and, in turn, cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip? Or that could cause you to seek treatment on your trip?

No

[iamtrustworthy]

20 hours ago, 0106 said:

No

Since you don't have any pre-existing medical conditions that a plan with a 60 day Lookback Period (https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-pre-existing-medical-condition-lookback-period/) will count against you, I suggest you get one with a small trip cost in order to have good medical coverage.