Travel to the USA without health insurance

[macker]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I would contact a broker whom has acces to Travel Underwriters. They are very fair. No one is likely to cover a pre-existing condition though.

If you go to www.travelinsurance.ca they are one of the companies that you will get quotes from, along with Manulife, Tavelguard and TIC. I know Co-operators backs TIC but I am not sure about Travel Underwriters. One company that I would get quotes from a broker would be RBC (not offered on www.travelinsurance.ca) as they usually have good rates along with Manulife for the most part. I would give the nod to Manulife and RBC if you want the biggest companies backing your policy. This is a fairly simple form of insurance that you can do most of the homework yourself and then if you really need a broker you can place your order. I know the rates for RBC and Manulife would be the same if you use a broker or not. Good to have sites that will educate consumers as this is an area that many consumers ignore but it can be potentially the highest payout you would ever have with any form of insurance. Most out of country travel policies offer 5 Million as a basic blanket amount.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by slava

just curious who you work for and what you do? Feel free to pm if you prefer.

+1

[Captain_Obvious]

Originally Posted by macker

Most out of country travel policies offer 5 Million as a basic blanket amount.

Had a friend last year who got a policy like this because of a minor hernia he got playing hockey before a trip to the US.

The same questions popped up but he went to a local broker for the TIC and disclosed the preexisting condition. In that case it was considered very minor and he got 5 Million worth of coverage for $20 on a one time ten day trip.

At the end of the day if you have a preexisting condition that you think might put you at risk for traveling maybe you shouldn't be travelling. And if you are, I'd go right down to an Insurance broker and disclose your condition and get all your ducks lined up just in case.

Owing money for the rest of your life when it can be avoided is not the best risk to take.

[Draug]

Has anyone ever had to use the Health Insurance that VISA provides with their top tier cards? I've always relied on it, and have only added additional coverage if my trip will be longer than the 14 days that VISA says they cover. With stories of $30K for pretty minor things, maybe I'm being too risky relying on just VISA.

I have had to use the Auto rental coverage through the same VISA twice, for $5500 and $2500, and everything went very smooth there.

[macker]

Originally Posted by Draug

Has anyone ever had to use the Health Insurance that VISA provides with their top tier cards? I've always relied on it, and have only added additional coverage if my trip will be longer than the 14 days that VISA says they cover. With stories of $30K for pretty minor things, maybe I'm being too risky relying on just VISA.

I have had to use the Auto rental coverage through the same VISA twice, for $5500 and $2500, and everything went very smooth there.

The way I understand this there is a significant advantage to using this coverage instead of your own auto policy as if you have an accident it shouldn't appear on your record as it would be handled by the policy that VISA has. Something to consider I guess. As for travel medical for the premium involved you are better to get an all inclusive policy. Many areas people forget to address either through their work policies or private policies in addition to travel medical are trip cancellation, trip interuption, lost baggage insurance, accidental death and dismemberment. Most credit cards offer some coverage but make sure to find out how much, are all family members covered, include trip cancellation and trip interuption or is it just a basic medical coverage with many exclusions, lost baggage etc etc. Usually if you do more than one trip per year a multi-trip all inclusive policy is the best way to go. We have all heard the travel horror strories and many of them could have been covered.