Job Discussion Forums

[Canehdian]

Help! I am a newbie, utterly lost in all the insurance-shopping details! In order to send in my work visa application (ASAP) I need to prove that I have travel/medical insurance, and of course I'd like to find a good (year-long) plan. But I've come across so many plans online and at insurance agencies, that my head is spinning! And of course each of these plans tells me unequivocally THEY'RE the best .

So, now I'm in need of some word-of-mouth research. I've heard a bit about global/international insurance, that covers you no matter where in the world you go--or if you return home. That's definatly the most appealing, but at this point, I'm willing to go with ANY reputable, travel insurance plan. Are there any carriers you can recommend, whether they offer global coverage or not? I've asked the good folks on the North American forum, but they don't seem to be doing a lot of travelling . I could use your help!

[denise]

I must admit I'm confused by your post. What country/countries are you interested in? Do you already have a contract? If not, how can you apply for a work visa, and if so, why isn't your job helping you or doing it for you? And why are you looking into a year-long insurance plan in the first place, when many jobs in many countries will offer insurance as part of the benefits package?

I had to have proof of insurance when I registered for my TEFL class, but I figured at the time that it was because they just didn't want any lawsuits from stereotypically litigious Americans. I just got a one-month plan and then got full coverage with my first job.

d

[Canehdian]

Hmm, I was just re-sorting through the info., and seem to have misunderstood, myself. In answer to your questions, denise: I have a contract to work in a school in the Czech and will be insured once I begin work IN that country. They have mailed me their end of the necessary paperwork (stating in the contract that they will cover my insurance). Now I have to complete the rest of the documents, and apply for the work visa at the embassy in Canada. Based on previous info. I thought the embassy requires proof of additional insurance. I just double-checked and the website for the Embassy of the Czech in Canada says, under "TRAVEL Health Insurance Requirements":

"The visitor must be able to give proof of such [health insurance with $50,000 CAD coverage] insurance by presenting the relevant documents to the immigration officers AT the port of entry to the Czech Republic. Similarly, APPLICANTS for visas necessary to enter the territory of the Czech Republic must present such documents to the consular officer when applying for visas at the consular office of the Czech Republic ABROAD." So, I guess my proof is already in the contract I send with my visa application, stating that the school will provide insurance.

However, back to the OP, that will only cover me in that country, and I'll be making at least one out-of-country trip. This could be newbie-travel paranoia, but I don't feel I'm being responsible just relying on the school's plan. And then I'll have the hassle of covering that out-of-Czech trip, later. So, that's why I want a year-long plan. Does that make sense--even if in a paranoid sort of way?? So again, if you have a plan to recommend, please do.

[naturegirl321]

This was recelty discussed on the Czech forum, try posting there.

[Canehdian]

naturegirl321, I did a travel+insurance search of the Czech forum, and then of the whole site. There was a bit of info., but I was looking for specific carriers. However, belatedly, it occurs to me that this is not a travel site, although this question does seem to come up a fair bit. So, good news: during the last search, I found the Thorn Tree site, and it had many postings there on the insurance/travel+insurance/health+insurance issue. So, I'll post the link here, and hopefully subsequent searchers will benefit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa

Go to town!!

[naturegirl321]

Glad that you found what youwere looking for.