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That is true. It is cheapest and most comprehensive when you book your transportation. For us that means when we buy our airfare. The first Camino we didn't know that and had to pay nearly twice as much a few months layer.A fun fact I learned just before my last camino is that if you want to have preexisting conditions covered you must buy the insurance near the date you pay for plane and hotel reservations. That is, if you wait until just before your departure date to buy travel medical insurance, it may not cover illnesses related to preexisting conditions.
Did you declare your pre - existing condition?In 2019 10 days before starting my Camino,I had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from my bladder. After a number of weeks walking without issues, I had bladder problems a day past Leon. Travel Guard denied my claim for coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Thank goodness the medical services cost only 300E.
There was no questionnaire when I purchased the insurance. After I submitted the claim they sent me a request for medical records from my GP in the states and a notice that there would be no coverage for anything related to a pre-existing condition. At that point it was not worth pursuing further.Did you declare your pre - existing condition?
Ah ok. Strange one. Pre existing conditions nearly always need to be noted, also any undiagnosed symptoms. Similarly any issue post buying a policy needs to be revealed to the insurance company. Glad it all sort of worked out!!!There was no questionnaire when I purchased the insurance. After I submitted the claim they sent me a request for medical records from my GP in the states and a notice that there would be no coverage for anything related to a pre-existing condition. At that point it was not worth pursuing further.
That you received reimbursement because your trip was interrupted due to COVID is a key point. I wonder, with the relaxation of COVID rules, whether you would get reimbursed today?Last spring I bought the high end medical coverage from Travel Insured International because I am old and have heart problems. When I returned from the Camino Frances to Madrid for my flight back to the US I tested positive for the Covid. I was double vaxxed and double boosted and did not feel sick at all. I did have a scratchy throat but I often catch a cold when traveling in Europe. I should not have dismissed that. Anyway, on testing positive I immediately called the insurance company. The lady said I have noted your claim, keep receipts of all your extra expenses. I booked an AirBnB studio apartment ($1200) for 11 days, changed my return ticket (+ $900) and "self isolated". I tried to save my food receipts but they were usually just small cash purchases, and I did not get any taxi receipts to and from the Covid testing facility. But I claimed the taxi's anyway. I filed my claim in June and in November received a check for everything I claimed. Ironically, my reimbursement was based on travel interruption, not medical. To file a claim for medical costs I would have first had to try to get reimbursement from my health insurance. The two Covid testing costs (positivo!! followed by negativo 9 days later were less than $100 so I didn't bother. (I hate paperwork.) I have Travel Insured International coverage again for my return to the Camino next week. Buen Camino
I am considering using the travel insurance associated with my credit card. It's valid for 90 days, and I will be away for 65 days. It covers overseas emergency medical, including COVID-related. Need to be aged under 76 years though. I asked a similar question in a Facebook group and one respondent had put in 2 claims successfully. Note, I am in Australia, bank is NAB and insurance company, Allianz Global Assistance.I haven't filed a claim, but did do a lot of research and gathering people's experience.Ultimately, because I travel a bit I ended up buying annual insurance from Allianz (that covers me anytime I am more than 100 miles from home. So some of the things I gathered when doing my research:
Most credit cards offer some type of Travel insurance but not Travel medical insurance. The Travel Insurance would be for delays, lost luggage and other types of travel costs. The high end credit cards with significant annual fees do sometimes have a health insurance benefit. For me I was most concerned about significant health cost in case of accident or illness and/or the cost to bring me back home or repatriate my body. This would require me to buy travel insurance with coverage for these items. As others have mentioned it is important to buy this coverage when buying (or within 14 days) your travel. There are other caveats about including all unreimbursable cost when your policy, so read the fine print.
Also, be sure to check how long you are covered on a trip. Some limit you to 30 days.
I suspect that the issue of claims success is often related to the fine print.
I too had occasion to make an Allianz claim for hospitalisation in a private facility in Portugal - it was the nearest and I was in dire need. Fortunately, the hospital knew the ropes and supplied me with a lot of paperwork needed for the claim. It was a slow process after I got home, but the result was satisfactory.…... I would use them again, but I do stress the importance of having lots of documentation in order.
Absolutely check the 30 day limit. Point well made above.I haven't filed a claim, but did do a lot of research and gathering people's experience.Ultimately, because I travel a bit I ended up buying annual insurance from Allianz (that covers me anytime I am more than 100 miles from home. So some of the things I gathered when doing my research:
Most credit cards offer some type of Travel insurance but not Travel medical insurance. The Travel Insurance would be for delays, lost luggage and other types of travel costs. The high end credit cards with significant annual fees do sometimes have a health insurance benefit. For me I was most concerned about significant health cost in case of accident or illness and/or the cost to bring me back home or repatriate my body. This would require me to buy travel insurance with coverage for these items. As others have mentioned it is important to buy this coverage when buying (or within 14 days) your travel. There are other caveats about including all unreimbursable cost when your policy, so read the fine print.
Also, be sure to check how long you are covered on a trip. Some limit you to 30 days.
I suspect that the issue of claims success is often related to the fine print.
It’s all about the fine print. Maximum trip stay (often varies by age), residency, declared conditions, undiagnosed symptoms, stopovers on route, etc.Absolutely check the 30 day limit. Point well made above.
Wow, I am sorry to hear about your experiences, but thank you for this advice.I've had multiple travel insurance claims.
Two things if you go down this route. Firstly, if you need to make a call for assistance the first question that they ask you is for your policy number. If you are relying on your credit card insurance then there won't be an individual policy and so your policy number is your credit card number.I am considering using the travel insurance associated with my credit card. It's valid for 90 days, and I will be away for 65 days. It covers overseas emergency medical, including COVID-related. Need to be aged under 76 years though. I asked a similar question in a Facebook group and one respondent had put in 2 claims successfully. Note, I am in Australia, bank is NAB and insurance company, Allianz Global Assistance.
We have a BC/BS policy that covers us while abroad, but since we are over 65 and Medicare primary we purchase a policy that will cover that portion of any claim before our BC/BS kicks in. Thankfully, we have not had to use either policy while on camino. We don't buy trip cancellation or interruption as they only thing we buy in advance are our tickets, and they are frequently pretty inexpensive. I know it may cost a lot if we had to change our tickets, but so far so good!I called my Blue Shield of Calif HMO people today. They say I'm covered for any medical emergencies including evacuation to hospital (but not back home). I was surprised. So maybe all I need is good trip insurance. Thank you all, i think this is a very educational thread with how your claims processes went.
Yes, definitely start with your existing health insurance company. Medicare does not cover you overseas, but my secondary insurance, Blue Cross, says it offers the same coverage as in the US, including evacuation if medically necessary. I take the form, phone numbers, and instructions with me. Fortunately, never had to use it, but understanding what coverage I already have means I don't buy an additional policyI called my Blue Shield of Calif HMO people today. They say I'm covered for any medical emergencies including evacuation to hospital (but not back home). I was surprised. So maybe all I need is good trip insurance. Thank you all, i think this is a very educational thread with how your claims processes went.
Since Medicare is the primary and does not pay overseas we purchase a policy to cover the portion of the bill that Medicare does not cover. BC/BS offers us the same coverage as in the US, but will pay only the amount they are required to pay after deducting the Medicare portion, and that part of the bill would be our responsibility. When we receive payment summaries from BC/BS they always pay a smaller part of the bill than Medicare, so for us it is prudent to cover that with an additional policy. As far as evacuation and remains repatriation we purchase a yearly Medjet membership since we also travel a long here in the states.Yes, definitely start with your existing health insurance company. Medicare does not cover you overseas, but my secondary insurance, Blue Cross, says it offers the same coverage as in the US, including evacuation if medically necessary. I take the form, phone numbers, and instructions with me. Fortunately, never had to use it, but understanding what coverage I already have means I don't buy an additional policy
Even with coverage for repatriation we carry notarized letters requesting cremation in Spain, not that either of us would mind be buried along a camino, but family may object.I'm uninsurableA sufficiency of accumulated age, pre-existing conditions and, perhaps, an inclination to tick Zero as the value I would claim for lost luggage, curtailment or delay.
Brokers always get edgy when I say "all i'm interested is repatriation of remains".
These days I tend to check cost of local cremation against required premium and adjust my budget accordingly.
If you did not have insurance, what would it have cost you out of pocket?I broke my wrist last year in Portugal, which required two surgeries and a few nights in the hospital. The insurance that I bought from AXA reimbursed me 100%. My regular health insurance didn't provide any coverage while I was abroad, so the AXA insurance was my primary coverage. I did have to wait several months to receive the payment, tbut it was a fairly smooth process.
How much was the payment? Did you have to pay out of pocket at time of service. Did you use credit card or cash?I broke my wrist last year in Portugal, which required two surgeries and a few nights in the hospital. The insurance that I bought from AXA reimbursed me 100%. My regular health insurance didn't provide any coverage while I was abroad, so the AXA insurance was my primary coverage. I did have to wait several months to receive the payment, tbut it was a fairly smooth process.
I was in two hospitals - I had emergency surgery in the public hospital where I was taken by ambulance. I was not given a bill upon discharge, and have not yet received one, so I can't tell you what the cost was.If you did not have insurance, what would it have cost you out of pocket?
Where is your home base? Could you have traveled home for care where your medical none travel insurance would have covered you?I was in two hospitals - I had emergency surgery in the public hospital where I was taken by ambulance. I was not given a bill upon discharge, and have not yet received one, so I can't tell you what the cost was.
I then had another consultation and surgery at a private hospital. The total cost including the surgery, a CT scan, X-rays, an overnight stay, and all follow up care was about 6000 Euros. I put it on a
I live in the US.Where is your home base? Could you have traveled home for care where your medical none travel insurance would have covered you?
Long live the GHIC card!I'm uninsurableA sufficiency of accumulated age, pre-existing conditions and, perhaps, an inclination to tick Zero as the value I would claim for lost luggage, curtailment or delay.
Brokers always get edgy when I say "all i'm interested is repatriation of remains".
These days I tend to check cost of local cremation against required premium and adjust my budget accordingly.
Hi @Robo. I am based in Australia. I have complimentary travel insurance with my virgin credit card if I use it to buy my airline ticket.
The PDS is available for me to check the cover and terms and conditions. In my case, the insurer for the policy is Allianz and most if not all of the conditions are typical of any international travel insurance.
So, you should be able to obtain a copy of the PDS relevant to Westpac and CBA to satisfy yourself that the cover is sufficient for your needs.
While I haven’t had to claim on the policy, as it’s with a major insurer and the PDS is clearly written, there’s no reason to think a legitimate claim that falls within the terms would not be paid.
Hopefully you can save some dollars
I have a copy of the letter of eligibility and reference number all done online. No claims on pre-existing illnesses but I wasn't asked to disclose them. The confirming email also stated that if I wished to put in a claim while overseas, I needed to provide proof of eligibility which is the credit card statement which would be easy to do.Two things if you go down this route. Firstly, if you need to make a call for assistance the first question that they ask you is for your policy number. If you are relying on your credit card insurance then there won't be an individual policy and so your policy number is your credit card number.
Secondly, I used this option in 2019 but I was concerned about the lack of paperwork and so I emailed Allianz before I left to get an acknowledgement of coverage and ended up having an email conversation with them during which I was asked and disclosed my pre-existing conditions.
Robo, I can't really answer your question, but I will say this. If you have any pre-existing condition that has not been declared, you may as well tear up the policy. I claimed on a policy with Allianz after hospitalisation in Portugal - very expensive. As part of my claim I had to get a medical history statement from my GP - it cost me $300, and was comprehensive. I am sure that if this had contained anything relating to an undeclared pre-condition they would have rejected my claim - it didn't. But that event (and subsequent ones in Australia) is now pertinent. After declaration, I was refused insurance last year by some companies, eg Covermore, and the one that did accept me quoted almost $3000. Fair enough, I am a risk. But my advice is don't try to cut corners.Just wondering, for those based in Australia, who you use for travel insurance.
I always used my company policy in the past, but they no longer cover private travel
Interesting market........
Qantas travel insurance will cost me $900 for 2 months.
The two banks I use will give me 'free' insurance.
I wonder if the free one actually works (Westpac and CBA)
Robo, I can't really answer your question, but I will say this. If you have any pre-existing condition that has not been declared, you may as well tear up the policy. I claimed on a policy with Allianz after hospitalisation in Portugal - very expensive. As part of my claim I had to get a medical history statement from my GP - it cost me $300, and was comprehensive. I am sure that if this had contained anything relating to an undeclared pre-condition they would have rejected my claim - it didn't. But that event (and subsequent ones in Australia) is now pertinent. After declaration, I was refused insurance last year by some companies, eg Covermore, and the one that did accept me quoted almost $3000. Fair enough, I am a risk. But my advice is don't try to cut corners.
But if you try and cut corners with any travel insurance, not declaring any pre-existing illnesses you could easily get caught. For example, I had a bike accident a couple of months ago, show doctor as I was in a lot of pain trying to walk, got an xray of hip area. No fractures etc., but who knows if I hurt my hip walking the insurance company might pin it on the bike accident as I saw a doctor and got xrays.Robo, I can't really answer your question, but I will say this. If you have any pre-existing condition that has not been declared, you may as well tear up the policy. I claimed on a policy with Allianz after hospitalisation in Portugal - very expensive. As part of my claim I had to get a medical history statement from my GP - it cost me $300, and was comprehensive. I am sure that if this had contained anything relating to an undeclared pre-condition they would have rejected my claim - it didn't. But that event (and subsequent ones in Australia) is now pertinent. After declaration, I was refused insurance last year by some companies, eg Covermore, and the one that did accept me quoted almost $3000. Fair enough, I am a risk. But my advice is don't try to cut corners.
This is why you need to read the entire policy.But if you try and cut corners with any travel insurance, not declaring any pre-existing illnesses you could easily get caught. For example, I had a bike accident a couple of months ago, show doctor as I was in a lot of pain trying to walk, got an xray of hip area. No fractures etc., but who knows if I hurt my hip walking the insurance company might pin it on the bike accident as I saw a doctor and got xrays.
You also generally have to declare any ‘changes’ to your health after you have bought the policy. Also worth pointing out that any ‘undiagnosed symptoms’ can make getting insurance difficult too!But if you try and cut corners with any travel insurance, not declaring any pre-existing illnesses you could easily get caught. For example, I had a bike accident a couple of months ago, show doctor as I was in a lot of pain trying to walk, got an xray of hip area. No fractures etc., but who knows if I hurt my hip walking the insurance company might pin it on the bike accident as I saw a doctor and got xrays.
I have the certificate but they didn't ask if I had any pre-existing illness, I don't, or any undiagnosed symptoms. Perhaps I should delay my annual blood test though.You also generally have to declare any ‘changes’ to your health after you have bought the policy. Also worth pointing out that any ‘undiagnosed symptoms’ can make getting insurance difficult too!
Well it’s a murky world and I was oblivious to all the small print in travel medical insurance until a couple of years back where I had to read the fine detail. Part of me wishes I hadn’t as ignorance was bliss but I glad I am aware as it could ultimately be costly!I have the certificate but they didn't ask if I had any pre-existing illness, I don't, or any undiagnosed symptoms. Perhaps I should delay my annual blood test though.
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