Travel and Health Insurance

[barryg]

Hi all!

I have seen posts categorical stating that you should have health insurance, but very few mentions of company names. I did see a mention of AMA and I used Allianz last year when I walked the Camino. Does anyone have any input on the better Travel Health Insurance plans? I would specifically want one that would fly me back to the US if need be.

Would this be a separate plan from your Travel cancellation protection insurance, or are there some that roll it all into one? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Barry

 

[Juspassinthru]

I just returned from my 2nd Camino, the Inglés and the León to Sarria. I used a site insuremytrip.com to find the trip insurance that fit my needs. Don’t know if this is US only but it may be worth a look. Thankfully I never had to use it but it was nice to know it was there if I ever had to. Buen Camino.

 

[trecile]

Hi all!

I have seen posts categorical stating that you should have health insurance, but very few mentions of company names. I did see a mention of AMA and I used Allianz last year when I walked the Camino. Does anyone have any input on the better Travel Health Insurance plans? I would specifically want one that would fly me back to the US if need be.

Would this be a separate plan from your Travel cancellation protection insurance, or are there some that roll it all into one? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Barry

A lot depends on your nationality.

 

[scruffy1]

Hi all!

I have seen posts categorical stating that you should have health insurance, but very few mentions of company names. I did see a mention of AMA and I used Allianz last year when I walked the Camino. Does anyone have any input on the better Travel Health Insurance plans? I would specifically want one that would fly me back to the US if need be.

Would this be a separate plan from your Travel cancellation protection insurance, or are there some that roll it all into one? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Barry

Start with your own personal insurance agent or a travel agent you trust and shop around. Here in Jerusalem the major sporting goods stores all offer very good insurance at a decent price including emergency flight home. Once you are in their computer system it can be arranged by phone. DO keep a copy of a policy on your phone and DO have a hard copy tucked in with your passport. Should you, God Forfend, be run over by a runaway garbage truck, no one will be able to open your phone and find your policy.

 

[wjohnk]

Do check the fine print! One policy that I was offered excluded walking on recognized paths above 2000m. The Gt St Bernard pass on the VF goes up to 2469m....

 

[gloria lowe]

Look at Squaremouth dot com. You check what you want covered and it brings up plans for you to compare. I’ve used it 4 times. Most important is getting me back to US if I’m injured badly. I also always pick one that will fly a family member to me if I have to be hospitalized for awhile

 

[Trude]

For Aussies Woolworths have great travel insurance.

 

[Walking Lover]

Hi all!

I have seen posts categorical stating that you should have health insurance, but very few mentions of company names. I did see a mention of AMA and I used Allianz last year when I walked the Camino. Does anyone have any input on the better Travel Health Insurance plans? I would specifically want one that would fly me back to the US if need be.

Would this be a separate plan from your Travel cancellation protection insurance, or are there some that roll it all into one? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Barry

If you are from the U.S., check with your provider first. Blue Cross covers International travel. You pay the bil; they reimburse.

 

[Chris Gi]

Likewise - if you are in the USA AAA (the auto club) has great insurance. We used it on our last Camino and one of our group got totally reimbursed when a flight delay and rerouting caused them to forfeit a day excursion in Barcelona ($150) and their prepaid hotel room before heading out to Leon to start their Camino.

 

[november_moon]

I use insuremytrip.com to shop for travel insurance - then pick a policy that has what I need from a well-rated company.

IMO, medical insurance is a must. I purchase trip insurance if I have significant non-refundable expenses. On the Camino, I did not. The only pre-paid item was my plane ticket. I fly United (or associated Star Alliance carriers) and I can change flights for a $150 fee plus any difference in airfare, so I am willing to risk it. On an upcoming, non-Camino trip, I did insure the trip itself because I have some significant non-refundable expenses.

 

[trecile]

If you are from the U.S., check with your provider first. Blue Cross covers International travel. You pay the bil; they reimburse.

Yes, but the percent that they reimburse is rather low for foreign providers. I believe that travel insurance will pick up at least part of the remaining balance. I'll let you know after I file claims for some stitches I received.

 

[billmclaughlin]

Hi all!

I have seen posts categorical stating that you should have health insurance, but very few mentions of company names. I did see a mention of AMA and I used Allianz last year when I walked the Camino. Does anyone have any input on the better Travel Health Insurance plans? I would specifically want one that would fly me back to the US if need be.

Would this be a separate plan from your Travel cancellation protection insurance, or are there some that roll it all into one? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Barry

This topic is fraught with confusion. There’s medical costs, reimbursement for travel changes and cancellations, and then the item you highlighted: medical transport. For the first I have US Medicare Advantage plan (not plain Medicare, of course). For the second I take my chances because the expense is usually one RT flight not the cost of a cruise. For the third I use an annual policy with Medjet because the coverage for an annual plan is very good and applies whenever i’m 150 miles from home.

 

[Gwyn]

For Aussies Woolworths have great travel insurance.

If you pay for your flights with a Platinum card in Australia you get automatic insurance. Check with your bank. My lady diagnosed with stress fracture in Lugo hospital. Three days in hospital and then business class flights and taxis back to our front door for both of us. So it works. Sad not to complete but business class on Qatar was great.
Gwyn

 

[DeansFamily]

If you pay for your flights with a Platinum card in Australia you get automatic insurance. Check with your bank. My lady diagnosed with stress fracture in Lugo hospital. Three days in hospital and then business class flights and taxis back to our front door for both of us. So it works. Sad not to complete but business class on Qatar was great.
Gwyn

We used to rely on our Platinum card for insurance until Sri Lanka when my husband contracted Dengue Fever and was hospitalised in Trincomalee for a week (now that’s a whole other story!) and QBE who underwrites left me unreplied for 52 hours when I notified them. I ended up organising everything and giving them up for a joke. I now use Budget Direct and thankfully haven’t needed to use them, but I know they are there.

 

[Trude]

Hi all!

I have seen posts categorical stating that you should have health insurance, but very few mentions of company names. I did see a mention of AMA and I used Allianz last year when I walked the Camino. Does anyone have any input on the better Travel Health Insurance plans? I would specifically want one that would fly me back to the US if need be.

Would this be a separate plan from your Travel cancellation protection insurance, or are there some that roll it all into one? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Barry

I always use Woolworths travel insurance, by far the cheapest for Australians. I have never needed to make a claim but as you know it is a reputable company.

 

[Chris Gi]

I always use Woolworths travel insurance, by far the cheapest for Australians. I have never needed to make a claim but as you know it is a reputable company.

AAA is pretty good in the USA.