Travel insurance

[falanger]

Qoute Irish daily mirror....

"A hospital in Thailand is holding an accident victim's remains until his family pay 50.000.euro.
The man,from the west of Ireland,died in a fall and his relations have been blocked from taking his body home.
The man had no travel insurance and his family are struggling to come up with the cash to settle his costs.
Foreign Affairs Minister Demot Ahern has urged everyone travelling overseas to have insurance.
He said "Most of the problems stem from the dotcom world,where at the touch of a button people can book their holidays and flights online." Sadly in a growing number of cases,they do not also get travel insurance."

I think travel insurance is a must and those who don't are stupid...

[steve@thaib]

Seconded. I know it's another expense and most of us will never use it but it's pretty rash going without.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Seconded. I know it's another expense and most of us will never use it but it's pretty rash going without.

Correct, any given time you book a flight online there's the travel insurance offer before you click next and confirm. It's mostly a 30-40 £ on top of a 400-700 £ ticket, anyone not selecting it is just plain stupid.

[MrDK]

Many US insurance plans include world wide coverage, but some do not. If not, by all means buy the coverage before you leave.
I contacted both my insurance company and my own company's HR department. The insurance covers everywhere, except for countries with a US travel embargo (i.e. Cuba). It is wise to check (and act) before you go.

In addition there are some other benefits to be had from credit card companies. Some American Express cards, for example, offer supplemental insurance (Premium Global Assist) that covers emergency transport to the nearest hospital that can properly treat your condition. I called them and the example they gave was from Asia to Europe would be a typical scenario. This insurance is limited to trips under 90 days and more than 100 miles from home. The agitate cost is limited to $100,000 per incident.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Many US insurance plans include world wide coverage, but some do not. If not, by all means buy the coverage before you leave.
I contacted both my insurance company and my own company's HR department. The insurance covers everywhere, except for countries with a US travel embargo (i.e. Cuba). It is wise to check (and act) before you go.

In addition there are some other benefits to be had from credit card companies. Some American Express cards, for example, offer supplemental insurance (Premium Global Assist) that covers emergency transport to the nearest hospital that can properly treat your condition. I called them and the example they gave was from Asia to Europe would be a typical scenario. This insurance is limited to trips under 90 days and more than 100 miles from home. The agitate cost is limited to $100,000 per incident.

Most UK credit cards (not debit) give you free travel insurance,but only if the flights are booked using the card. As Im not a big fan of c/cards I always book my own travel insurance. Its only an extra £90 for family of 4 cover,and stupid not to have it.

[TanMan]

Originally Posted by dawsey

Most UK credit cards (not debit) give you free travel insurance,but only if the flights are booked using the card. As Im not a big fan of c/cards I always book my own travel insurance. Its only an extra £90 for family of 4 cover,and stupid not to have it.

Same same in the US with cc's. But, travel insurance is a la carte, not carte blanche so it is always a good idea to see what is actually covered and how much the limits are. Many packages available. It's a lot like health insurance, only more complicated.

The TanMan

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by dawsey

Most UK credit cards (not debit) give you free travel insurance,but only if the flights are booked using the card. As Im not a big fan of c/cards I always book my own travel insurance. Its only an extra £90 for family of 4 cover,and stupid not to have it.

I agree that it is stupid not to have the insurance (one way or the other).
Why the resistance to credit cards?
I buy (nearly) everything on credit cards. Doubles the warranty on most purchases, guarantees returns up to 90 days, automatic theft insurance, the list goes on. Last time in was in Bangkok my luggage was delayed over 24 hours. Got the standard 4000 baht from Thai Airways and an additional $200 from the credit card company. On two occasions the credit card paid for car accident expenses.

[stevem]

Should be made compulsory and checked at check in. No insurance no boarding pass.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by MrDK

I agree that it is stupid not to have the insurance (one way or the other).
Why the resistance to credit cards?
I buy (nearly) everything on credit cards. Doubles the warranty on most purchases, guarantees returns up to 90 days, automatic theft insurance, the list goes on. Last time in was in Bangkok my luggage was delayed over 24 hours. Got the standard 4000 baht from Thai Airways and an additional $200 from the credit card company. On two occasions the credit card paid for car accident expenses.

I'd rather use a debit card Mr DK. I can see your reasoning for using the credit cards,especially the more expensive items with guarantees and refunds, but I am of the old school that I like to pay as I go and not rely on credit. As long as the bill is paid within the 56days in full I know there is no interest, but its the buy now pay later thing for me. I don't like paying interest

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by stevem

Should be made compulsory and checked at check in. No insurance no boarding pass.

I'm sure that will come in the future Steve. Some people just don't want to buy it , and will take the risk that "it will never happen to me". Crazy thinking.

[falanger]

Originally Posted by dawsey

I'm sure that will come in the future Steve. Some people just don't want to buy it , and will take the risk that "it will never happen to me". Crazy thinking.

Thats what lottery winners always say....
You have way more chance of having something going wrong on holiday though..Even things like flight delays,delayed luggage etc. If i was going on a short flight say to England i would'nt bother with it but to go somewhere like LOS without it is madness...

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by falanger

Thats what lottery winners always say....
You have way more chance of having something going wrong on holiday though..Even things like flight delays,delayed luggage etc. If i was going on a short flight say to England i would'nt bother with it but to go somewhere like LOS without it is madness...

Until you get hit by a double-decked red bus ;-)

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by dawsey

I'd rather use a debit card Mr DK. I can see your reasoning for using the credit cards,especially the more expensive items with guarantees and refunds, but I am of the old school that I like to pay as I go and not rely on credit. As long as the bill is paid within the 56days in full I know there is no interest, but its the buy now pay later thing for me. I don't like paying interest

I agree with the carrying a balance. I have never paid a cent in interest, always pay in full every month. One additional benefit with credit card (at least in the US) is fraud liability. With a debit card you may be at your own risk with credit card there is a limit to the card holder of $50.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by stevem

Should be made compulsory and checked at check in. No insurance no boarding pass.

I totally agree with the need for insurance and the stupidity of not having one, but why should the airlines be burdened with playing insurance cop?

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by MrDK

I totally agree with the need for insurance and the stupidity of not having one, but why should the airlines be burdened with playing insurance cop?

Logical first fence of defense...next one would be the immigration office ?

[stevem]

Originally Posted by MrDK

I totally agree with the need for insurance and the stupidity of not having one, but why should the airlines be burdened with playing insurance cop?

Why should the airlines be burdened with playing visa cop???

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by stevem

Why should the airlines be burdened with playing visa cop???

The local law in each country they fly to hold the airline responsible for the transport out of the country if the passenger does not hold the required entry documents. That is universal and the airline is not playing visa cop they are protecting them self.

[stevem]

Originally Posted by MrDK

The local law in each country they fly to hold the airline responsible for the transport out of the country if the passenger does not hold the required entry documents. That is universal and the airline is not playing visa cop they are protecting them self.

Exactly, so whose to say that the same/similar laws cant be made to cover travel insurance. No use in getting all worked up over it, as it is very unlikely to happen, but in my mind it should, just to protect the dumb and innocent.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by stevem

Exactly, so whose to say that the same/similar laws cant be made to cover travel insurance. No use in getting all worked up over it, as it is very unlikely to happen, but in my mind it should, just to protect the dumb and innocent.

If it was in the interest of a country to require insurance they would make that the law and airlines flying there will adjust as needed. In principle I am just against loading one task after an other onto the private sector. Your idea on the surface is a fine idea, however, so are a number of others. In the end this will add an operating expense to the company that they will ultimately have to collect it from their customers, including those that can think for them self.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by MrDK

If it was in the interest of a country to require insurance they would make that the law and airlines flying there will adjust as needed. In principle I am just against loading one task after an other onto the private sector. Your idea on the surface is a fine idea, however, so are a number of others. In the end this will add an operating expense to the company that they will ultimately have to collect it from their customers, including those that can think for them self.

Going a bit off topic now, I've been to Israel a couple of weeks ago and getting in was no problem. But getting out, after a "only" 3 days visit, was hell.

Which leaves me to believe that security always lays somewhere around the entry point, being it the airline or the immigration. Where else could you put the responsibility in practise ?

Going on-topic, in case of check for travel insurance before entry to a certain country, it would be the same thing, either the airline checks beforhand or immigration at entry point ? Then again, how would one accomplish this without generating huge q's at immigration ?

[del boy]

The cost of travel insurance is negligible compared to the overall cost of a holiday to LOS so if you don't take out insurance then you've only got your self to blame if the worst happens.

But, that said..... there is the small print to consider!!! Most policy's don't cover you if you are under the influence of alcohol!!!! So myself, and probably most of us, are 'technically' uncovered for large periods of our holidays, and at a time when we are at our most vulnerable too! Trying to stagger back across Rat U Thit Road in the early hours, back to the C&N is a huge risk! The moment we start drinking (assuming they can prove it) we may as well not have any insurance at all.

[steve@thaib]

Wouldn't the hospital rather get paid than tell your insurance company you were pissed?

[stevem]

Originally Posted by del boy

But, that said..... there is the small print to consider!!! Most policy's don't cover you if you are under the influence of alcohol!!!!

Or riding a motor bike without holding an appropriate license, a