Korean Job Discussion Forums

[v15ben]

Hi guys,

I'll be teaching in South Korea for a year and also travelling around various countries during the year.

I'm travelling for about 3 weeks before getting to Korea and will be visiting Japan and China hopefully when I'm in Korea.

My question is what type of insurance to get. I'm thinking of just getting a 12-13 month worldwide policy to cover all travels/health/cancellations etc of trips either in Korea or in other countries.

My other question though is because I'll have health insurance etc and be living in Korea, would a normal policy cover me for everyday life in Korea? For example if my laptop gets stolen, would a normal worldwide insurance policy cover me if I live in Korea?

Any thoughts?

[Ukon]

I wouldn't bother....

[English Matt]

Insurance is absolutely necessary, particularly given you will be travelling outside of Korea.

If you work for a hagwon, you may only find out too late that your employer has not been making contributions into the Korean healthcare scheme for you. If that's the case you would be liable to pay for the full cost of your health care. If you work for a hagwon that does do everything above board, or you work for a PS or Uni, then your care is only subsidised (you still have to pay a share)....it is not like the NHS where care is free at the point of use. There are banks of cashiers in hospitals that you need to pay for your care.....often before they will treat you in some cases. Now whilst this is usually inexpensive, you can end up having to spend a lot - for instance, someone I know out here had to be treated for a kidney stone and it cost her CAN$1500 (that was with more than half the cost of the treatment covered by the Korean healthcare coverage).

If the worst happens, for instance you are badly injured in a home fire or car accident (etc) and need long-term care, the cost of your treatment will be extremely high (do you want to worry about your parents having to sell their house and all their assets to keep you alive or bring you back home for treatment in that situation). Additionally, worst case scenario....you die.....it can be extremely expensive for your parents to have your body returned to England.

In short, it would be stupid not to take out insurance.....particularly when the cost is not that high. I have a policy with Endsleigh which cost me a little over �220. If you are planning on doing any bungee jumping, paragliding, skiing, parachuting, etc. out here then you will want to get a slightly more expensive policy from Endsleigh. Anyhow, be careful which policy you buy and from whom....for instance my Mum bought me a policy from Thomas Cook when I first came out here; the problem was that it only covered work as an incidental activity that would last 3 months max. during the 12 month period. Essentially between the hours of 8:30 - 4:30 (Mon-Fri) my policy did not cover me. So make sure you get a policy that allows for you working, such as the Endsleigh Gap Year policy.

http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/Travel/Pages/gap-year-travel.aspx

I believe that you can cover expensive pieces of electronic equipment in the policy but it will cost you something like �50 - �100 extra.

[v15ben]

That is interesting, thanks for the link too.
I used to sell travel insurance for STA Travel so know about what is covered in general, but haven't come across the clause about not being covered for a full 12 months of work.
Will go chat to a former colleague of mine and see what discount he can come up with
Also I imagine that a Worldwide travel policy that covers working hours will cover all medical/accident/cancellation/death etc in Korea at all times as well as all of the above whilst in other countries?