Trip Insurance

[vertaqua]

Whats everybody's favorite Dive/ trip Insurance providers? Also any actual insight on using them in an emergency or having to file a claim with them would be much appreciated.

 

[jakubson]

Whats everybody's favorite Dive/ trip Insurance providers? Also any actual insight on using them in an emergency or having to file a claim with them would be much appreciated.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=98791&highlight=insurance
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=75792&highlight=insurance

 

[Madrone]

I also never bothered with insurance till I was diving in Honduras and was flying home on 9/11 got stuck in Honduras for a week with no credit cards. Missed a week of work and paid $$$ for a hotel and food plus phone calls coz I got freaked out a bit and wanted to chat with my boyfriend. So this next trip in Sept to Palau and Yap Im getting it. I did some research and found this https://www.travelex-insurance.com for $195 they cover most stuff including 50.000 in medical and no deductables. So even you are out $40 you get it back. They cover certified divers and pre existing conditions if you buy it within 21 days of making the deposit on your trip. They were helpful and were recommended by trip n tours who I booked my trip with.

 

[DepthCharge]

Whats everybody's favorite Dive/ trip Insurance providers? Also any actual insight on using them in an emergency or having to file a claim with them would be much appreciated.

I used to buy trip insurance until.................I tried to collect on it. Our flight was cancelled due to snow. Insurance wouldn't pay as "YOUR TRIP DIDN"T START".

 

[DandyDon]

I used to buy trip insurance until.................I tried to collect on it. Our flight was cancelled due to snow. Insurance wouldn't pay as "YOUR TRIP DIDN"T START".

I'd like to know the name of that company, as this should have been covered by any honest plan. Yet, it is good to examine the provisions closely when buying.

I too was on Roatan on 9-11-01, with insurance. I was only two days late getting home, but my company paid in full on those expenses.

I always buy trip insurance for any trip out of the US...
**My Medical insurance does not cover me outside of the US, but good Trip Ins will provide large limits for treatments and evacuations. Someone started a rumor that DAN Dive insurance covers for this; they do not. There is a $10,000 non-diving accident coverage, but I want a lot more - for accident or illness.
**Airlines are only liable for $9.07 per pound of checked luggage on International trips = $1270US Maximum vs $2500 US domestic. That won't come close to replacing my gear, and would you really want to file the rest of that claim with your homeowners and risk getting cancelled for it?
**I might get sick or hurt, or someone in my family might, or I might get called for jury duty, or on and on.
And there is a lot more provided, for about $50US at my advanced age. A small price to insure a trip and my body. (Well, I think I took a smaller benefit than the entire trip cost, as my primary plane ticket would have $600+ residual value after $100 penalty.)

Some companies will not cover all airlines, but last time I checked - Travel Safe covers them all: https://www.travelsafe.ws/travsafe_main.htm

TravelSafe
Travel Protection Plan Benefits Maximum Benefit

Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation - Up To Trip Cost*

Post-Departure Trip Interruption - Up To 150% Of Trip Cost*

Travel Delay (8 Hours or More) $150 Per Day, $750 Maximum

Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance, Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses - $100,000

Emergency Medical Evacuation - $1,000,000
Repatriation of Remains

Medex 24-Hour Assistance Service - Included

Baggage and Personal Effects - $2,500
Baggage Delay (12 Hours or More) $250
Accidental Death and Dismemberment $25,000

 

[divebuddy68]

I shopped around and found that http://www.travelinsured.com has good coverage and by far the best price. As with most companies, in order to get full coverage you need to buy the policy within 10 days of initial trip deposit.

I also had a claim with them and they paid within 2 weeks with no questions asked.

 

[vertaqua]

Do any of these ins co's bill directly with emergency providers(chambers, air evac)? I'm just worried that I'd get a huge hospital bill that I'd have to pay out of pocket and then get reimbursed later.
There's an interesting article from RSD magazine about dive insurance and things you should think about before choosing a plan. I've attached it to my reply but here's the web address: http://www.explorerventures.com/pdf/DiveInsurance101.pdf

 

[DandyDon]

Do any of these ins co's bill directly with emergency providers(chambers, air evac)? I'm just worried that I'd get a huge hospital bill that I'd have to pay out of pocket and then get reimbursed later.
There's an interesting article from RSD magazine about dive insurance and things you should think about before choosing a plan. I've attached it to my reply but here's the web address: http://www.explorerventures.com/pdf/DiveInsurance101.pdf

That's a good question, but your post and question here has to do with Dive Insurance. I have noticed that some will confuse Trip Insurance and Dive Insurance, but these are two different types of plans.

Back to Trip Insurance:

Hurricane Emily coming so close to where I am going in two weeks got me to researching what-ifs.

For latest update on predictions: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

I had some conversations with my usual trip insurance company and usual airline this morning and learned a few things that may be helpful down the line for me. In hopes they may be helpful to others now, I'll try to share them here...

The insurance company would pay if I was prevented from traveling to say Grand Cayman which is currently under Hurricane Watch, or Roatan which is currently expecting inclement weather - and incurred losses, which is the way it should be. If they paid only because I changed my mind about going, the premiums would be ridiculous. For example, Continental is still planning on flying to Grand Cayman and Roatan tomorrow - subject to change.

The insurance company would pay if an airline didn't fly as scheduled, and the airline was covered. I use Travel Safe as they cover all airlines.

If I have the good sense to not go to Grand Cayman tomorrow, or even didn't want to risk flying into Roatan tomorrow (does RTB even have instrument landing possibilities for a thunderstorm?), the insurance company is not going to pay for optional losses - it all depends on the airline.

HERE'S THE BIG ONE, THO: If I was booked on either, and didn't want to go, Continental would not charge me for changing!! NEXT BIG ONE: Then, if my Atlantic Air flight connecting to Utila was canceled and I couldn't get a refund, Travel Safe would pay for that.

All this does sound pretty reasonable to me, and reassuring. I am wondering if other airlines are allowing free changing..??

 

[vertaqua]

That's a good question, but your post and question here has to do with Dive Insurance. I have noticed that some will confuse Trip Insurance and Dive Insurance, but these are two different types of plans.

Thats true but ussually trip insurance plans include a medical benefit and emergency evacuation benefit. I assume that would cover a chopper ride to the nearest chamber and then a few dives in the chamber. Travelsafe seems pretty reasonable for what they give you in the way of coverage.

 

[Madrone]

What I have decided is I joined DAN their preferred plan, which is more than just regular membership. i paid $99, and now Im going to get trip insurance as well for $195 between the two I am more than covered for medical, lost baggage, trip cancellation and missed connections etc.