travel insurance on a one-way ticket?

Hi,

I'm from the US and I'm planning an indefinite trip (actually the way I look at it it's more of an "experience" than a "trip"). The only tickets I've booked so far are a one-way from New York to Bangkok, and another one-way from Bangkok to Saigon. The only reason I booked the BKK>SGN was so Cathay Pacific will let me on the airplane in New York (they say I need a return ticket or proof of onward travel or a work visa in order to board the plane). Over the next 1-2 years I expect to be in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, possibly Ethiopia, Kenya and others in east/south Africa, and, well, who knows where I'll end up? That's the beauty of it.

However, while I've done some serious travel before in SE Asia this is the first time I'll be doing a totally open-ended thing with no return ticket booked before I leave home. So, first off, any thoughts people might have on hopping from country to country without onward flights necessarily booked... My impression is that at least for the Asian countries I mention it's not a problem. Air Asia, for example, never seems to ask for proof of onward travel before they let you on their planes. But are there certain countries of the ones I listed that I should be concerned about?

Okay, now to the bigger question... I'm finding that without a return ticket it is difficult to obtain travel insurance. From what I understand so far even World Nomads requires a return ticket. Anyone? Is this true? And, if so, what are the options for those doing an independent, open-ended trip like mine, who are still obviously in need of travel insurance? Finally, of those options does anyone know which offers the most comprehensive coverage for lost or stolen camera/camera equipment/computer?

If anyone answers all these questions I will e-mail you a flower!

Thanks,

DL

Strange about Cathay Pacific saying you need an onward ticket to be allowed on the plane as I flew CX YYZ-HKG-BKK on a one way ticket, no onward travel, the 2nd in June with no problem either with CX or Thai immigration.

On my RTW the only Asian country that asked for onward tickets was Brunei & they were satisfied with the SIN-PER segment when I explained I was traveling out of the country by bus.

Can't help with the insurance situation though as I didn't bother with it this time.

Yes this needing a return ticket thing seems to be quite a grey area. I've talked to two people who've tried to do the same route one-way... One person flew Cathay Pacific 2 years ago and had no problems. But the other one flew United last year and they wouldn't let her on without a return or onward travel, and she was forced to quickly book something out of Thailand. I talked to 3 Cathay representatives and they all clearly said I'd need proof of onward travel to be allowed on the plane. Any other experiences with this? Any help with the insurance question anyone, please?

I had the same issue with purchasing "travel insurance", as I'm on an open ended extended RTW. Travel insurance tends to cover lost baggage, theft, and medical, etc. As I was traveling light and without a lot of expensive stuff. I opted to only purchase the emergency medical insurance.

Those policies are tend to be solely based on how many days you intend to be away from your normal insurance carrier.

I purchased a 1 year policy with option to renew while on the road.

The other option is to find a policy for expatriate medical insurance. Just check with the policy to see if you need to have a fixed address or fixed country of residence.

Jason

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the reply. Could you tell me which insurance company you used?

Thanks,

DL

Definitely worth using a company that allows you to renew whilst on the road. We took out insurance with a company for the 12 months we expected to be away. When we extended our time that company would not extend our insurance and so we ended up spending quite a bit on one that would do it away from home.

United is US based while CX obviously isn't which could explain the difference & as I posted the onward ticket was a non issue with CX in June.

DL wrote:Hi Jason,
Thanks for the reply. Could you tell me which insurance company you used?
Thanks,
DL

DL,

I used TIC Travel Insurance, but as stated before only the 'Emergency Hospital & Medical' policy

Here's the link to their site. http://www.travelinsurance.ca/plans/canadiansEHMTIC.php

It appears to be available to Canadians only, and I'm paying about $1.80CAD/day for that policy through a broker in Vancouver.

Jason

I used World Nomads, and the fact that they care about people going on one-way tickets is news to me.

Regarding the airlines, the reason they check is because if immigration asks and you don't have a ticket on you then they are at fault and the ones who have to pay to send you back to your home country. How they enforce it depends on the airline in my experience- United's a stickler, but so is Air NZ and Virgin so I wouldn't just chalk it up to something as simple as the nationality. Unfortunately it's hard to tell which ones will ask until you hop on, so it's always best to have something on you.

First option as you've discovered is to just buy a cheap ticket, or a fully refundable one that you can just cancel later. Second option I've done (which is not legal, I am not your lawyer, blah blah blah) is go onto a web search engine and print out an itinerary for another airline that leaves within 30 days. Looks just like a proper ticket these days and you'd have to be beyond shady for anyone to look into it further.

I'm from the US as well and have purchased World Nomads twice, once in 2008 and once in 2010. Both times I was flying on a one-way ticket with no return ticket. I was never asked for any flight information during my purchase. Just my age and how long I would be gone. Plus credit card information.

World Nomads only allows you to buy a 6 month policy max but you can renew while on the road.

Hope this helps!

DL I'm thinking of doing a similar trip next year and am getting alot of good info from your post here. Everyone's info is extremely helpful.
busman7 i read a lot of your posts and find you to have great tips/advice. I'm curious why you aren't using insurance on your current trip? (i don't mean to pry and if you'd rather not discuss the reason I certainly understand).
I've never used insurance before. my longest trip was a month in AUS. This next trip I feel like I'm gonna have to get some.

Not prying it's a valid question, Canada has government health insurance that covers you anywhere in the world. You have to pay upfront & submit your bills on return home. From past experience I have found health costs in SE Asia & Central America to be so cheap that insurance is not worth it.

Of course there's the odd chance of occurring major medical costs but that is a chance I am willing to take. Actually my 2 year travel time out of the country to keep my insurance valid runs out this month but have no plans on getting travel insurance as at age 65 the cost is ridiculous.

That's just my take & I am not recommending anyone else do the same.