Job Discussion Forums

[scoutfinch]

Just wondering how the rest of you handled this before you moved. (or if you insured your things at all) I will take mainly clothing, shoes, and a few other personal items to Quito, but I will also be taking my camera and MP3 player.

Should I insure all of this? If so, through whom should I do this?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Liz

[ls650]

For big ticket items that are expensive to replace (such as computers, camera, etc.), maybe. But clothes? Are you flying down to SA with a steamer trunk full of designer fashions? I can't imagine it would be worth the hassle and expense of obtaining insurance.

[moonraven]

If you are going to be there very long, how do you plan on collecting insurance money if something is stolen?

You would have to file the claim in your home country--attaching all the police reports and list of stolen items....

It's best not to travel around with stuff that you can't afford to lose.

[MELEE]

In ten years of travelling, mostly in Latin America, the only thing I've had stollen was a watch (I was wearing it at the time). The ironic thing is I'd adopted this watch after it spent 3 months in the lost and found box at the library where I worked. I doubt it cost more that $19.99 new. The only people I've met who used travel insurance planned on commiting insurance fraud, by falsely reporting something as stolen to the local police. I'm with the others, this is a good oportunity to develop non-attachment to material things. If it will hurt you too much to lose it, don't bring it, and maybe even meditate on why you own it (you didn't buy these things to be kept in storage, did you? I assume you bought them to be used).

[scoutfinch]

Thanks your your advice, everyone. No, I am not bringing loads of designer clothing, but I do have a two-year contract at a school, so I am bringing what I hope is a sufficient work wardrobe plus enough clothing for any other occasion that might present itself, be it travel, social, or professional. I had just heard and read of others insuring their things, so I honestly didn't know what to do and needed your opinions. This is a whole new world to me!

Thanks for the info!

Liz

[moonraven]

You would not receive very much for used clothes, anyway--even with so-called "replacement coverage".

[Justin Trullinger]

It all depends on how well you plan the robbery...just kidding.


But seriously, IMO, it comes down to...having to buy new stuff if you get robbed, or paying for new stuff in case you get robbed. In other words, with the insurance, you make sure of paying (for the insurance) either way, whereas without it, you only have to pay if you actually get robbed.

And it's hard to get money out of an insurance company anyway. Clothes aren't worth much second hand, and deductibles are usually high, unless you buy a no-deductible policy, which costs enough to more than make up the difference.

For me, unless you are bringing a big ticket, easy to steal, diamond, it's more than likely not worth it.

Justin



PS Liz- when are you coming in?

[matttheboy]

Make sure you have insurance to cover you for health problems though...a week in a top class hospital will set you back a huge amount and even a simple sprained ankle can end up costing a lot. Pot holes are a problem in Quito...I can never understand how people go travelling without adequate health cover.

[scoutfinch]

Thanks, Matt and Justin. Fortunately, I do have health insurance through the school. But I will just be careful of where I walk, too! Hopefully there will be no hospital stays in my near future...

Justin - I leave here in just a few days - Aug. 21st! I will be living near Estadio Olympico (sp?), but I don't have a phone # yet. I will PM you, though!

Liz