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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Travel Insurance Recommendations?

Jess W.

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances (May/June 2019)
Hey all,
In just over a month I'm going to be booking plane tickets for my upcoming Camino, and I've heard that one should purchase travel insurance at the same time. I'm planning to, but I have no idea where to buy the insurance from or even where to start looking. Can anybody offer up some recommendations on which companies are the best/easiest to work with? I'm not anticipating having issues on my Camino, but then again, nobody ever thinks they'll have a problem. If it makes a difference, I'm very healthy and in my early 20's.
Thanks in advance!
Jess
 
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From consumer reviews, the travel insurance sold by your airline company is not very good. They spend their entire time trying to avoid payoffs. I have used Allianz, but have not had any claims. They might be just as bad.
Lots of times the travel insurance sold by the airline is Allianz. You definitely have to carefully read the policy, as the insurance industry in general does what it can to avoid paying claims.
 
Your credit card may cover airline ticket cancellations as well as hotel reservations which you have paid for. But you need a serious reason, not an elected change in your plans, to obtain a refund. Things like a serious injury or illness, death of a close relative, etc. So, you'll have to start examining closely the fine print in whatever coverages you wish to evaluate. The less exclusions, the more the coverage will cost. I'd start with looking at the benefits of your credit card. Those benefits may be free with one of your credit cards.

I think I am in the minority on this forum, but I do not buy supplemental health insurance. Both my medical coverage and that of my wife offer reimbursements of moderate medical costs when incurred overseas. However, medical evacuation and coverage for something catastrophic like a long hospitalization and/or surgeries are not covered. So I go with the odds...that nothing catastrophic is going to occur. Especially on a long hike at your age. Your highest risk, IMO, is when you'll be taking a cab or bus. Not when you're walking.

Good luck. And although I have a legal background, I hate looking at the fine print. ;)

Tom
 
One year I did not buy travel insurance through the airline and ended up paying several hundred extra for an additional policy. Although we have never had to use our insurance, I generally buy it for the evacuation coverage. I understand that I will usually pay for treatment out of pocket and then file for reimbursement. Some useful features are names of clinics and hospitals in a database where you can be treated in various Spanish communities if needed.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
I have used Allianz for two Camino trips and several trips to Asia. I bought insurance to cover the trip as well as medical. I have filed a claim, and have nothing but outstanding things to say about Allianz - good customer service. I highly recommend Allianz. I am in the U.S. and bought my coverage through AAA.
Buen Camino,
--jim--
 
World Nomads is excellent and covers sporting activities ... and Aliianz works well, too. I've used both and had claims on both due to my wife .... Maybe better her than Me!
Do a trail on their websits to see cost and coverages.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I've used Allianz and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to file a claim and how quickly they reimbursed me. I had a mixed bag of expenses - both travel related and medical expenses not covered by my health insurance plan. They didn't cover everything, but my out of pocket was minimal and reimbursements far exceeded the premium I paid.
 
There is some very good information above. My personal solution is to carry insurance at home that is also useable overseas, stacked on top of (or vice versa) with airline health trip insurance.

In my case, Blue Cross - Blue Shield has a lash-up with Allianz to provide health care out of the US. They have an online directory of doctors, specialists, and hospitals that accept the BC/BS insurance.

You have to search for the website it, but it is there... The web location varies from BC/BS home site to homesite. So, I am not going to provide a link. What works for me, may not work for you.

I also buy airline trip insurance, after reading the fine print. IN GENERAL, this coverage provides emergency medical car, AND covers medical evacuation back to my home.

NOTE: These policies cover routine activities while you are in a foreign country, like walking. They do not cover extreme activities, like base jumping, bungee cord jumps, or mountaineering. But anything a pilgrim would normally do is likely covered. Pilgrims are walking.

Most of the airline insurance covers only cover trip interruption relating to airline issues. However, MANY cover you airport to airport, during the entire time you are on the ground in the foreign location. THAT is what you need to determine when you read the fine print.

In my experience and observation, the really important thing to cover is life-saving trauma treatment, and medical air evacuation back home. One you are medically stabilized and certified ok for travel home, you can use the medical evacuation provisions. That is the really expensive part.

If you are European, your insurance cover from your home country should cover you in Spain or Portugal. If you are not an EU / European national, either your home insurance will provide SOME cover, or you can pay in cash or plastic (generally, I have found outpatient procedures to be very inexpensive in Europe).

All said, there ARE several really good separate insurance cover companies that specialize in foreign travel, providing limited time coverage. Some of these are mentioned above, or can be found elsewhere in this forum by using the search function for "medical insurance" or "travel insurance."

Hope this helps.
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
If you are European, your insurance cover from your home country should cover you in Spain or Portugal. If you are not an EU / European national, either your home insurance will provide SOME cover, or you can pay in cash or plastic (generally, I have found outpatient procedures to be very inexpensive in Europe).
That's not quite true. Health systems and the financial coverage in case of illness vary throughout the different european countries as well as the countries in the EU. So one needs to check what's in case of accident oder sickness covered beforehand too.

In my country for example the costs which arise due to sickness or accident during a stay in another european country is only covered up to the amount they'd pay at home too. If the treatment costs in the foreign country would be more expensive than at home I'd have to pay the difference.

So I need an insurance to finance that gap too. Also transport back home / medical evacuation has to be payed out of ones own pocket, if a longer stay in a hospital for instance is necessary and one wants to be treated at home. These costs will only be covered if I have an additional health insurance for foreign countries.

Since such an additional insurance is quite cheap, usually about 6 to 10 Euros for up to 42 days, one should definitely get that insurance.
 
Hey all,
In just over a month I'm going to be booking plane tickets for my upcoming Camino, and I've heard that one should purchase travel insurance at the same time. I'm planning to, but I have no idea where to buy the insurance from or even where to start looking. Can anybody offer up some recommendations on which companies are the best/easiest to work with? I'm not anticipating having issues on my Camino, but then again, nobody ever thinks they'll have a problem. If it makes a difference, I'm very healthy and in my early 20's.
Thanks in advance!
Jess
Contact your local insurance carrier for suggestions.
 
If you are a veteran, or one of your parents was a veteran, you might be eligible to join USAA. They have excellent travel insurance. And because the cost of your trip is so low, essentially just the plane fair, the premium for coverage is very low. Mine cost less than $80 for my 50 days on the Camino.

BTW, the health care in Spain is great. We unfortunately had to use it. My buddy caught the Camino Flu. The care he was given was very good and it was at NO cost. Language can be a problem, so bring your google translator with you.

Buen Camino
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hey all,
In just over a month I'm going to be booking plane tickets for my upcoming Camino, and I've heard that one should purchase travel insurance at the same time. I'm planning to, but I have no idea where to buy the insurance from or even where to start looking. Can anybody offer up some recommendations on which companies are the best/easiest to work with? I'm not anticipating having issues on my Camino, but then again, nobody ever thinks they'll have a problem. If it makes a difference, I'm very healthy and in my early 20's.
Thanks in advance!
Jess



Allianz and Travel Guard are two very good companies, both highly rated. solid. I have used them on numerous occasions.
 
Do you have comparison websites in the US? I've found them useful here but before I buy I Google reviews of that company to see how they handle complaints and claims.
Ultreïa!
 
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!
That's not quite true. Health systems and the financial coverage in case of illness vary throughout the different european countries as well as the countries in the EU. So one needs to check what's in case of accident oder sickness covered beforehand too.

In my country for example the costs which arise due to sickness or accident during a stay in another european country is only covered up to the amount they'd pay at home too. If the treatment costs in the foreign country would be more expensive than at home I'd have to pay the difference.

So I need an insurance to finance that gap too. Also transport back home / medical evacuation has to be payed out of ones own pocket, if a longer stay in a hospital for instance is necessary and one wants to be treated at home. These costs will only be covered if I have an additional health insurance for foreign countries.

Since such an additional insurance is quite cheap, usually about 6 to 10 Euros for up to 42 days, one should definitely get that insurance.

I used the conditional “should cover,” not a declarative “will cover.” Having lived in Europe for several years, I am aware that not all insurance schemes are the same.

Health insurance, globally, comes with a big “caveat emptor” provision.
 
Jess, I see from your profile you are US based.
Most people in Europe buy Insurance for travel to North America because of the high cost of medical treatment. In Spain if you require medical treatment, you will find that it is free at the point of use and you will not be turned away. Apart from prescriptions, It is quite difficult to pay for treatment directly in Spain. The bill for treatment will eventually be forwarded to your home address.

Most people choose to take out Insurance to cover either medical treatment or cancelled/Curtailed trips and loss/theft. I know nothing of the US Travel Insurance industry, so you will need to take advise locally. In the UK annual travel insurance actually works out cheaper than single trip travel insurance.

Good luck
 
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In Spain if you require medical treatment, you will find that it is free at the point of use and you will not be turned away.
Not exactly true. I went to the hospital in Santiago this summer. They would not acepta payment from me at the hospital, but they did take my name, address, passport information, etc. I just received a bill via email a couple of weeks ago for 361€, which I had to pay by bank transfer, which cost me an additional $35.
 
Jess, if you are from U.S. this will not be v helpful, I’m afraid.
But, on the matter of travel insurance, for those from U.K., the EHIC card is, I suggest, a prerequisite: it affords reciprocal health care in Spain.
Further, certain bank accounts (e.g. Nationwide and Co-op) include worldwide travel insurance as an “added feature” (plus premiums for declared medical conditions). Well worth exploring.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Not exactly true. I went to the hospital in Santiago this summer. They would not acepta payment from me at the hospital, but they did take my name, address, passport information, etc. I just received a bill via email a couple of weeks ago for 361€, which I had to pay by bank transfer, which cost me an additional $35.
And if this had happened here in the U.S., you would have been charged more like $3,000 euros at least! My daughter in law who was visiting from Poland had an infection that required an antibiotic. She had to be seen in the ER to get it as no clinics or Dr. offices would see her. Her bill was $750!
 
Lots of good advice above.

Though recommending travel insurance is rather like recommending a place to eat. Experiences and expectations will vary considerably I think.

As a young healthy person I would imagine your premiums will not be too bad.

It's worth reading the fine print though and checking what is covered.

I use my normal travel insurance that I have for business travel, but............ they considered walking 800 kms at my age (60) an additional risk and imposed a small additional premium. They didn't merely consider it as going 'walking'.

On the flip side, looking at the World Nomads suggested above, my only reservation would be that they cover all kinds of extreme sports and remote locations. In my mind that means they are covering a much higher risk profile than people walking a Camino, and therefore their premiums might be higher than just regular travel insurance....
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Here in Australia if you book your flights with a "platinum card" credit or debit you automatically get travel insurance. Worried me but a friend just had car accident in US and the bank paid up! Check with your bank and which card you have! Will be back in April and will use my "free" insurance! 👍😎
 

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