In this jolting thread, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-of-the-importance-of-travel-insurance.51945/ @nidarosa brought home the importance of buying medical insurance while on the Camino.
I have been very negligent in this regard, having bought some coverage only from time to time, but I am now determined to sin no more. I am 67, on Medicare, and know that there could be unpleasant surprises in my future.
@grayland gave some good info on nidarosa's thread for US pilgrims. Things vary tremendously from country to country. Squaremouth.com is a program that gives lots of comparisons, but for me it was very hard to navigate. So, after contact with several people who travel a lot, and a few web searches, I thought I'd give a suggestion. Hopefully others will chime in with other recommendations.
United Healthcare has bought out Medex, which was a very highly regarded travel insurance co. They have a simple-to-navigate website and are very clear about their coverage. Two numbers are given -- amount you will be covered for medical expenses (ranging from $50,000 (maximum allowed if you are over 70) or you choose $100,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000) and $1,000,000 for medical evacuation or repatriation of remains.
Since I will be taking a number of international trips this year, I looked into the annual coverage options. For $240, I get $500,000 in medical expenses and $1 million coverage for repatriation-evacuation for a year.
This seems like a very good deal, and since United Healthcare is my Medicare Advantage insurance company anyway and I know they are a good company, it seems like the thing to do for me.
I guess everyone's situation is different, but I think US pilgrims might want to look at United Healthcare and their global health insurance.
Thanks to @nidarosa for giving me the incentive to get responsible about this! Buen camino, Laurie
I have been very negligent in this regard, having bought some coverage only from time to time, but I am now determined to sin no more. I am 67, on Medicare, and know that there could be unpleasant surprises in my future.
@grayland gave some good info on nidarosa's thread for US pilgrims. Things vary tremendously from country to country. Squaremouth.com is a program that gives lots of comparisons, but for me it was very hard to navigate. So, after contact with several people who travel a lot, and a few web searches, I thought I'd give a suggestion. Hopefully others will chime in with other recommendations.
United Healthcare has bought out Medex, which was a very highly regarded travel insurance co. They have a simple-to-navigate website and are very clear about their coverage. Two numbers are given -- amount you will be covered for medical expenses (ranging from $50,000 (maximum allowed if you are over 70) or you choose $100,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000) and $1,000,000 for medical evacuation or repatriation of remains.
Since I will be taking a number of international trips this year, I looked into the annual coverage options. For $240, I get $500,000 in medical expenses and $1 million coverage for repatriation-evacuation for a year.
This seems like a very good deal, and since United Healthcare is my Medicare Advantage insurance company anyway and I know they are a good company, it seems like the thing to do for me.
I guess everyone's situation is different, but I think US pilgrims might want to look at United Healthcare and their global health insurance.
Thanks to @nidarosa for giving me the incentive to get responsible about this! Buen camino, Laurie