Job Discussion Forums

cbasheville · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

I have been trying to decide on whether or not to purchase some travel insurance. This is my first time dealing with travel insurance companies. Most of the policies only cover me for 30 days, as my trip duration is quite possibly going to be longer than that am I going to be just throwing money down the drain. My main fear is breaking an arm or other limb on a cyclo ride. Do any of you long termer's carry insurance? If so, how useful has it been and what company do you use? Thanks

BootOfTheBeast · Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 45 Location: SE Asia

Hi,

I'm not a long-termer (yet) but I've taken out travel insurance, always do, always will. It's like any insurance, most of the time it IS money down the drain, but if something goes wrong and you don't have it... it's a gamble really. I'd prefer to have the piece of mind.

All decent travel insurers do a long-stay policy. I used insureandgo (internet based) in the UK for a year-long term, as they seemed to be the cheapest for a decent level of cover, including riding bikes up to 125cc. They do any length of policy you want up to 365 days.

In the end it's up to you... would you have the money to be flown out of the country for expensive medical treatment if something nasty happened? I know I haven't got a million quid burning a hole in my bank account... Confused

Boot

vit · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 14

World Nomads is pretty painless. Buy online cover up to 18 months and you can renew online, in country. You generally have to pay an excess and they will only cover motor cycle accidents where you are a pillion passenger or carry a valid licence.

I've never claimed so I can't tell how that goes ...

cbasheville · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

So I have been looking at insurance policies and am having a little difficulty. The problem is I only bought a one-way ticket and almost everyone is saying I need a return date to be covered. I found one company that will insure for one month but this isn't nearly long enough. Anyone know how to get around this problem?

cbasheville · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

By the way, I am a citizen of the USA, land of the people who like to sue each other because their coffee is too hot or if there is not a HUGE warning label on their bottle of bleach they tend to think it is some sort of new after dinner cocktail. It's times like these I wish I had been born in The Netherlands.

BootOfTheBeast · Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 45 Location: SE Asia

Do the insurers need to see the return leg of your ticket? That seems strange. I checked out worldnomads as suggested by the PP... they allow you to extend/renew during your journey, so I can't see why they would care about a return leg ticket date. Make one up if it's just for the purpose of filling in an online quote form. I see they give $2 of your premium towards medical supplies in remote villages in... Vietnam!

Boot

PS re the litigious States, less so in the UK but we are doing our best to catch up with you Rolling Eyes

cbasheville · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

I called the 800 number for World Nomads and they told me I need a return ticket. They don't need to see it but, I know how picky insurance companies can be. I would hate to purchase a policy, carry and pay for six months, have something bad happen, and it be negated on some technicality. I had considered just saying my return date is something like June 20, 2010.

It does seem strange though that they would let you renew over and over. I guess they are assuming that you have a return ticket and just keep pushing the date back. Why anyone would spend money doing this is beyond me, it seems like that would be more expensive than the insurance.

Thanks for the help

Texas_blu · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 108 Location: HCMC, VN

Try telling them you purchased an "open return" ticket. This simply means that you've got to call to tell the airline when you want to return but most require a 2 week advance notice AND there is an expiration date.

BUT you can get that info from a travel agent for a quote on changing your ticket BUT never actually change it.

Yeah, you're taking the small chance of getting caught but you can always say you changed your mind the last minute. HOWEVER, since you've been on the phone with Nomad perhaps you should try this with another company.

cbasheville · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

I had considered the open return ticket route. I was really hoping someone would come forward who had actually been through the claims process saying something like "I filed a claim and Nomads never asked about a return ticket". The last thing I would want to hear is that when you file a claim they ask for a return flight confirmation number or something. Luckily I have another week or so to figure it out and I never got as far with them on the phone to give them my name. Rolling Eyes

vit · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 14

Wow - that's harsh. My policy doc (for Aust residents) states only that if I don't have a return ticket they can claim the cost of one from me in the event that I need to be evacuated.

What about buying insurance in Vietnam? I know some people have used AON in Vietnam, maybe they can help you.

cbasheville · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 23

Here in America juries like to award exorbitant sums for ridiculous lawsuits. One of my favorites could easily be of Mr. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having driven onto the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, the R.V. left the road. The owner's manual did not say that he couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded him $1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit, just in case there were any other complete morons buying their recreation vehicles. As you can imagine this has made insurance companies very leery.

I am going to purchase the WorldNomad plan anyway, in the hopes that if I have a minor claim they won't ask about the return ticket. If I have a major one, having to be evacuated, I will just buy the ticket then.

One thing I find suspicious is: Let's just say for the sake of argument I were to tell them my return date is December 20, 2010 and purchase a plan lasting the 18 month maximum. I have yet to find an airline that will sell me a ticket for that far in advance.

vit · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 14

Yeah that's what I thought. In Aust I can buy up to 18 months insurance but it is not possible to buy a ticket longer than 12 months.

I'd have a good read of the policy wording from the website before you buy anything, because I'd guess that if they can avoid paying you - for whatever reason - they will.