BootsnAll Travel Community

Assume an RTW traveler plans to purchase traveler's health insurance. Any thoughts on the best way to shop around?

What are the key questions to ask?

I'm asking because I'll be looking for traveler's health insurance for a year-long RTW. Would love to get a combo policy for my trip and for medical if available.

What's the best way to shop for health insurance - and what are the key variables when pricing a policy?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

CAJ
www.thewidewideworld.com

Ah, yet another one of those fun decisions!

Here are some companies that offer international insurance:
* AllNation Insurance Company, www.allnation.com
* Bupa, www.bupa.com
* InsuranceToGo, www.insurancetogo.com
* Expacare International, www.expacare.net
* IHI Danmark, www.ihi.com
* Goodhealth Worldwide Ltd., ww.goodhealth.co.uk
* Allianz, http://www.allianzworldwidecare.com/EN/index.php

This site which compares quotes of about 8 different providers:
http://www.globalinsurancenet.com/default.asp

http://www.nriol.net/international-health-insurance-overview.asp

http://www.ahip.org/


We ended up going with a high deductible policy with IMG, it worked for our long stay visa requirements and we have liked it. You might also look into evac insurance or make sure that is covered in case you have a super emergency in a bad place where you need to be flown quickly to the US.

We also had a high deductible at home as we feel insurance is really just asset protection in case you run into something super serious. We have run into a few problems in our 18 months, but have found the care stupendous and extremely cheap. My husband got a lot of dental work done in Spain ( by a Danish dentist) just because we ran out of time to do it before leaving and it was soooooooo cheap, we are glad it worked out that way.

I went to the hospital in Rhodes and by ambulance in Vienna and neither costs us a penny and I got good and very quick care. My daughter had an accident in a pool in Marbella and we saw a local doctor and again it was free. Our doctor here is a friend ( from Holland) who lives almost next door and has made house calls!! We can get many things from the pharmacy without a doctors prescription and have found that cheap ( like some medicine we got here or some we got in Turkey). I also had a great experience getting my teeth cleaned in Spain and Croatia. I am also working with an acupuncturist from the UK right now who was an engineer in Hong Kong, until she started to learn acupuncture there.

There are people who do travel just to handle medical things because our prices are so ridiculous in the US. I think you will be pleased with care outside of the U.S.

http://www.medicalnomad.com/

http://www.bumrungrad.com/

Good luck with this choice. It is easier than it seems and we have been very happy with our choice and saved a lot of money.

quote:

Optimism is an essential ingredient for innovation.
How else can the individual welcome change over security, adventure over staying in safe places?

Bob Noyce

WT,

I just want to say you are an extraordinary resource - thank you so much for all the great information!

CAJ
www.thewidewideworld.com

Thanks CAJ!

I know how hard making all these decisions can be, so if I can give back a little, I try to do that.


It will be worth it all as soon as you take off!

This was very helpful. I do have another question though!
Is there an insurance policy that includes both travel medical insurance abroad and at home (the US for me). I am quitting my job to travel for 3-4 months so I won't have insurance in the US. I want to be covered in the worst case scenario that I have to interrupt my trip and return back to the US for treatment.
I was going to purchase a short term policy from a US insurance company, but then got to thinking that there might be a plan that covers me abroad and at home. After two hours of web searches, I have to say...maybe there isn't! At least there does not seem to be for shorter durations (looking for 3 months). Does anyone know?
I was reading through the fine print for IMG Patriot International, and it seems like they might cover me in the US if I buy the policy for six months.
Any words of wisdom welcome!!!

quote:

I was reading through the fine print for IMG Patriot International, and it seems like they might cover me in the US if I buy the policy for six months.

Yes, that is my understanding as well. At some point we might take a break to visit family, since our travels are so extensive, so this is what we were planning on using while in the States.

Travel Insurance for Belize

The link is for Belize but you can check any rates if you follow the links.

Always ask what the insurance covers. National Insurance might not cover you abroad, while if you buy a travel insurance specially for your trip, it will ONLY cover you abroad.

I usually use my husband's national insurance when we can (in Europe). Otherwise I purchase from a company [doesn't matter which as long as it has a good reputation]