Korean Job Discussion Forums

kelly · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Just wondering if anyone knew of an agency either in Seoul or online that offer good travel insurance coverage. My main concern is medical, travelling with a baby you can never be too well covered!Thanks

peppermint · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:

I bought some last winter through AIG at the airport. I remember the medical side of things looked okay then.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I've bought AIG travel insurance a few times at the Korea Exchange Bank at the airport before trips. Never had to make any claims, thankfully, but the last time I went to buy some & told them I'd be visiting my home country (which I've told them on other occasions before) they informed me they wouldnt (couldnt) cover that.

Nice -- that added up to a considerable sum I had paid them previously for useless policies.

So my tag-on question to this thread -- where can you get insurance if youre heading to your home country (in my case Canada) for a trip? The AIG people had no suggestions.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

kelly · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Well the AIG at the airport is a good idea, but I really don't fancy having to do it the day I'm leaving while hauling a kid and all his belongings with me. Do they have any other offices in around Seoul that would be easier to go to than the airport? We're going to the US, and as expensive as medical is there we need to be covered. Although covered by military medical it doesn't cover "outside" hospitals, and there are no military bases where we're headed so I need to get good medical insurance, baggage, flights etc don't really bother me, its just the medical. Thanks for all the advice so far though.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

http://www.travelinsurance.co.kr/

This following page shows you the kind of covers you get with what premium:

http://www.travelinsurance.co.kr/product/product3.asp

And this is where they are in Seoul:

http://www.travelinsurance.co.kr/contact/contact.asp

HTH.

kelly · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Thanks, unfortunately my computer doesn't read Korean so I'm wondering if they have similar sites in English?

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Kelly, they are in Choongmoo-ro 2-ga Eun Gwang Building 11th Floor.

Tel: 2264-6133

Get out at Myeong-dong Station (line number 4). Exit towards Young-rak Church. When you come to the first big t-junction/crossroad, turn left and walk down that road. It might be a good idea to cross the road first when you get the the junction, then turn left and cross the road again. The building is just next to the church.

But seriously though... getting it at the airport is just as simple because you don't have to go anywhere special.. they have many booths in the concourse... there's one next to Burger King and they do it for you in less than 5 minutes!!!

skindleshanks · Joined: 10 May 2004

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

rumpolestitskin · Joined: 12 Jun 2005

Personaly I'd purchase mine online from a western speaking country. At least then your going to have no/minimal problems if you ever have to make a claim.

I'm not saying that I don't trust Korean travel insurance, just that if anything bad ever happened a language barrier is going to be teh last thing you want.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

After a substantial amount of searching online I've come up completely empty on finding any company anywhere offering short-term travel insurance to expats returning to their home country for a visit.

Doesnt seem to exist.

Can anyone inform me otherwise?

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Schwa, I am just starting to try and sort out travel insurance myself, and haven't had time to thoroughly research it, but came up with this website via the Lonely Planet webpage. It might be helpful (or not).
worldnomads.com.au

kelly · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Just called the AIG office....they say they don't insure foreigners.....seriously!!Anyone who has gotten insured at the airport, I'm just wondering what the prices are like, or would it be cheaper to buy online.....

korian · Joined: 26 Feb 2004

i think i'm definitely missing something here. why do you need medical insurance when you return to your own country?

as a citizen do you not automatically have medical insurance in your home country?

as an australian i know that whenever i return home i'm covered by medicare, the national medical benefit scheme. therefore i don't take any out when i go home.

it's not the same in N.A?