Travel Insurance Advice

[dioxide45]

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[isisdave]

We have AllTrips Premier which is what I think you are showing. It cost us $419 in August; we're both 70-something.

I got it principally for emergency medical and evacuation.

It does have a small amount of cancellation and interruption and baggage and delay coverage, but for those I rely on Chase Sapphire Preferred card, only $95 per year, which we use to buy all travel. I think you'll find this sentiment in this forum a lot. Both Allianz and Sapphire have rental car coverage, and there are other ways (AmEx for example) you can get this cheaply.

Part of the answer depends on where you will travel. If it's outside the US -- even a cruise -- you want more than $50k evacuation.

 

[Nick johnes]

Travel insurance coverage come in a variety of forms, including annual and single-trip options. An annual policy may be a more affordable choice if you travel frequently, while single-trip coverage are ideal if you only take one trip a year. Make sure the coverage you select meets your needs. An annual policy can be a better choice for you, for instance, if you travel regularly and are a digital nomad or backpacker.

 

[kachook]

Hi, y’all. I’m sorry if this is not the correct section, but any help would be appreciated. Ultimately, I think we are SOL. First off, my mother-in-law seems to be doing well and has improved a lot since yesterday. We are in Los Cabos and my mother-in-law who is almost 80 was in excruciating pain last night into this morning. Because the in-house physician could not rule out a cardiac event (they stupidly don’t have an EKG machine), they sent her to the hospital via an ambulance. All told, I think the total is $7000 (hospital and ambulance). She is on Medicare, but I have no reason to expect she has any of the supplements someone mentioned earlier. For sure, neither my wife nor her sister mentioned it when they had to pay at the hospital. Two questions: is it too late to purchase medical insurance for this event for reimbursement? I am 99% certain that the answer is that it is too late, but I thought I would ask. Second, we have to go to Cancun for my wife’s cousins wedding in the winter time. Now that this is happened, for sure they will get medical insurance. Is there any recommendation or since it will be in Jan 2025, should I see if they can get whatever the international supplements are to my father-in-law and mother-in-law‘s insurance through Medicare? Also, my wife has an AMEX platinum, and if we were to purchase this upcoming trip using that card, would it not cover medical insurance for my in-laws if they do not live in the same house? TIA for everyone’s time and assistance.

 

[Passepartout]

Hi, y’all. I’m sorry if this is not the correct section, but any help would be appreciated. Ultimately, I think we are SOL. First off, my mother-in-law seems to be doing well and has improved a lot since yesterday. We are in Los Cabos and my mother-in-law who is almost 80 was in excruciating pain last night into this morning. Because the in-house physician could not rule out a cardiac event (they stupidly don’t have an EKG machine), they sent her to the hospital via an ambulance. All told, I think the total is $7000 (hospital and ambulance). She is on Medicare, but I have no reason to expect she has any of the supplements someone mentioned earlier. For sure, neither my wife nor her sister mentioned it when they had to pay at the hospital. Two questions: is it too late to purchase medical insurance for this event for reimbursement? I am 99% certain that the answer is that it is too late, but I thought I would ask. Second, we have to go to Cancun for my wife’s cousins wedding in the winter time. Now that this is happened, for sure they will get medical insurance. Is there any recommendation or since it will be in Jan 2025, should I see if they can get whatever the international supplements are to my father-in-law and mother-in-law‘s insurance through Medicare? Also, my wife has an AMEX platinum, and if we were to purchase this upcoming trip using that card, would it not cover medical insurance for my in-laws if they do not live in the same house? TIA for everyone’s time and assistance.

Ultimately, I think you're right. You can't buy travel insurance after the need arises. Medicare does NOT cover recipients outside the US. There are some Advantage carriers that offer some coverage internationally. Usually you still have to pay the bills then submit the receipts to insurance for reimbursement.

For the upcoming international trips, most carriers require buying (and paying for) travel insurance a short time - like 2 weeks- after paying a deposit on the travel, in order to insure pre-existing conditions.

As you have probably read above, many people shop travel insurance through www.squaremouth.com/ It allows you to compare policies side-by-side.

I can't answer your questions re: AMEX or any other card's insurance. Talk to their customer service people. The number is on the back of the card.

Best wishes for your Mother-in-Law's recovery and ability to keep traveling.

Jim

 

[kachook]

Ultimately, I think you're right. You can't buy travel insurance after the need arises. Medicare does NOT cover recipients outside the US. There are some Advantage carriers that offer some coverage internationally. Usually you still have to pay the bills then submit the receipts to insurance for reimbursement.

For the upcoming international trips, most carriers require buying (and paying for) travel insurance a short time - like 2 weeks- after paying a deposit on the travel, in order to insure pre-existing conditions.

As you have probably read above, many people shop travel insurance through www.squaremouth.com/ It allows you to compare policies side-by-side.

I can't answer your questions re: AMEX or any other card's insurance. Talk to their customer service people. The number is on the back of the card.

Best wishes for your Mother-in-Law's recovery and ability to keep traveling.

Jim

Thank you, Jim. I appreciate the quick and thorough response.

 

[kupool]

Amex Platinum has decent coverage IF the entire trip is purchased through Amex Travel and paid on the Amex Platinum card. The Amex travel site has the details or you can call the Platinum number on the back of the card for additional questions.
Also, echo Jim's comments about https://www.squaremouth.com/.

 

[Passepartout]

we have to go to Cancun for my wife’s cousins wedding in the winter time. Now that this is happened, for sure they will get medical insurance. Is there any recommendation or since it will be in Jan 2025, should I see if they can get whatever the international supplements are to my father-in-law and mother-in-law‘s insurance through Medicare?

Nobody HAS to go anywhere. It may be expected, but it's optional. I have some knowledge in destination weddings. Iirc, the wedding in Mexico is largely ceremonial. The lucky couple will likely need to duplicate the official marriage in the US to be recognized. As stated above, Medicare recipients should apply, and pay for travel health insurance shortly after making the deposit on the trip. The buyer decides on the amount of coverage they need- and the premium is based on that number. As the trip gets more add-ons, and gets more expensive, they can add to the coverage, and still have pre-existing conditions covered.

Jim

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@kachook Sorry to hear about your family member's illness. Check your credit cards. If you paid anything for family's travel with Chase Sapphire Reserve there may be some medical coverage. Chase also has evacuation coverage if she is covered and needs to be returned to the states.

Travel medical insurance for Mexico is cheap. We had 2 people for $75 for 10 days. In light of the $7000 bill this is a small price to pay. But unfortunately you cannot buy it after an event occurs.

We also use squaremouth.com to find the best policy. If you purchase insurance within 15 days of the first travel purchase, pre-existing conditions are usually covered. If not then you can buy medical close to the travel date. We use our credit cards for lost baggage and delay insurace, and depend on the Travel insurance primarily for medical. This keeps the cost down.