Health Insurance...is it necessary?

milkyway

I will be travelling for up to six months. I am not planning on doing anything totally crazy but you never know. Is medical aid expensive or would i be better off getting health insurance?

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Tomi

Milky, medical aid is excellent in India, very cheap, and readily available in mid-sized cities. That includes treatment for malaria and pneumonia (my only experience, from fellow travelers).

For pneumonia a whole series of doctors visits, antibiotic shots delivered at the hotel room by visiting nurses, several x-rays, several blood tests (with sterile, throw-away needles), follow up visits in other towns, etc., came to around $100 US in 1999. And it was high quality and more personal, friendly, and informative than with formulaic CYA doctors in the West.

Public hospitals in some places are dirty and depressing --in Bikaner one looked like a 19th century insane asylum with sounds worthy of an mp3 for our future collection. But private clinics tend to be good, so that's where you go, and your hotel can inform you.

Now, if you should get an unusual condition and require and operation, amputation, etc., I have no idea about equipment and such, and you might want insurance to be brought back to Canada, where you will be guaranteed quality care and no doubt feel more comfortable, which could be important under those conditions.

lokie

You are going to get may different answers on this issue. I myself would never go without buying extra travel insurance. An experience did not happen to me but my father. He was in Mexico and had a heart attack, they took him to the closest hospital which was disgusting! They ended up having to get one of those medical jets to transport him to Texas. That flight alone cost $30,000!! He bought TravelGuard Insurance which covered everything. They paid for everything including both my Mothers and Fathers flight back home to Ohio. They even were going to put my Mother up at a hotel but she did not want to leave my Fathers side. You never know what is going to happen to you and you may not have a choice of what hospital you want. They will take you to the closest one!! If nothing happens then it is great and your mind will be at ease knowing if something did happen then you have the resources to take care of yourself.

LuAnnandJawahar

Medical aid in India might be excellent or it might be horrendous. Depends on exactly where you are when you need it. We always advise people to get travel insurance. Especially handy if you, god forbid, need to be repatriated.

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Cherishanti

Would anyone have any recommendations for travel insurance? I will be mostly in Varanasi, any input on what's available there? Thanks

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rab

You can get better rates for travel insurance by buying all-year-round insurance and opting for worldwide cover.

My cover has lapsed at the moment but I have used a UK company which I would be happy to recommend (regarding cheap premiums - not claims). For UK members the premium for a full year worldwide was about 40 quid per person.

milkyway

Does anyone know of any companies in Canada with cheap premiums.?

rab

Try this company's website - looks quite good - not got a clue on the prices though.

The firm I use in the UK is Options - try them for comparison.

Many banks and credit card companies will offer free travel insurance too for having a certain current account or credit card. In the UK the Alliance and Leicestergive free worldwide cover.

Maybe you could find the same in Canada?

butterball

For the sake of $90 for an all year travel insurance you'd be mad to save on this...

For the sake of $15 a month over six months... what if you loose your passport etc ?

A must in my opinion...

Anders

Rab,
The 40 quid insurance you mention, is that one
of those multi trip with each trip limited to 30 - 60 days?

I have seen the details of some of those "free travel insurance
when you get our credit card" and none of them have included
any medical insurance. They usually make it a bit difficult to
see the details, they are usually not available on the web
and you get the details when you get the credit card.

I have no medical insurance when I travel in
India and I have no intention of getting one.

timmy

I'd never travel without travel insurance. You just don't know what may happen on the roads or anywhere, and you may well need repatriation through no fault of your own.

As you say, the insurance provided by credit cards is not comprehensive. I'd much rather travel with peace of mind rather than take a chance that nothing will go wrong. You are gambling -- possibly with your life or maybe a limb. And it's not just India, and it's not just the quality of care (or lack thereof) but also cost of treatment overseas. A five minute visit to a NYC health centre in 1994 cost me USD$600 -- thank god for insurance.

I say don't take any chances.

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jaz

Rab

Do you know of any Insurance companies in the UK that offer cover for peeps who are travelling outside their country of citizenship? Because l'm currently in China and will be travelling straight from here onto Nepal & India for 2 months l have gone with www.imglobal.com Patriot America Medical Insurance for 2 months at 71 UK pounds, which is abit on the pricey side, l still have time 2 cancel and maybe go for something cheaper, any ideas??

Cheers

butterball

www.ticltd.co.uk ( or com ? )

jaz

Butterball

Cheers, just checked it out but unfortunately its only available if your departing from the UK.