Travel Insurance ?

gregornot · Sep 16th, 2006, 04:02

Namaste

,
My passport finally showed up, I paid for five day service and it only took four months and 19 days. So I guess that I'm ready to make final plans and I have learned Indian patience a long the way. The question is should I get travel insurance. I'm 59 er I meant 21

and have Hep C which is under control with a herbal remedy, that I have used last few years. I am going to be in India with a couple side trips to nepal to renew visa and to visit Nepal itself. I have various aliments but I don't see myself treking for long distances. Plan on basing out of Delhi and cruzing the traditional buddha places,sitting and serving at different Vipassana Centers.

Also plan on spending time south and if the differences of opinions get settled in Sir Lanka and going to Candy Temple and doing some more Vippassana courses. My Health is not getting better as I get older and am taking pain meds to get through the day

I am a 100% service related veteran, so have Medical coverage in the US but do not know how good that is in India,etc. so what do

folks think?. I am in a financial position to be able to afford it (but I don't want to spend it), so what does the group think?
Thanks, gregor

Nick-H · Sep 16th, 2006, 08:26

Thoughts...

Medical care is relatively inexpensive in India
No need at all to have the kind of cover that gets you flown home in a private jet for emergency treatment.
But, if you are going rural, and want to feel that a helicopter will come and get you if you need it... (I don't know if this would happen anyway!?)
the cheapness is relative: the results of a road accident or the need for surgery would probably cost more than the insurance premium and take quite a chunk of your capital, let alone your trip budget.
services are available at all levels of the Indian economy: your policy wold probably get you a private AC room with posh-hotel-like service, no doubt you could still get good private treatment, without the frills and icing, at much less cost
you have health problems and won't get cover for any pre-existing conditions, or anything that the insurance company can twist and say it was associated with pre-existing conditions blah blah blah. You know insurance companies!

...just random jottings, really

gregornot · Sep 16th, 2006, 08:58

Namaste.
Thanks for you input on travel insurance, what about insuring my camera and computer?

Nick-H · Sep 16th, 2006, 09:05

Oh dear, I was thinking health, health health!

Sorry for the very limited answer.

Check carefuly that any policy covers single items of sufficiently high value.....

eater · Sep 17th, 2006, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregornot

Namaste.Thanks for you input on travel insurance, what about insuring my camera and computer?

With most people, the house policy in US / Canada covers items like computer, camera etc.when away from home

gregornot · Sep 17th, 2006, 08:02

Namaste,
I have never had any any insurance except that for my car. So I am a newbie to any household / travel /life insurance. Any help / ideas about getting my new camera and new computer covered, I have VA (veteran administration) health coverage but not insurance on emergency travel to USA. My pre-insurance is nothing for me to worry about. I'm just concerned about something (an accident)happening where I need to be flown back to the USA
so like I say I'm an old dog but I can learn new tricks, is shown or told about them. Any help is appreciated,
Thanks, gregor

Nick-H · Sep 17th, 2006, 11:55

I don't think you would need to be flown back.

I wonder if insurance companies do fly people out of India, and for what reasons?

There's certainly no way an insurance co is going to pay the air fare and USA medical bills if it can get the problem fixed in an Indian private hospital --- I would have thought.

cyberhippie · Sep 17th, 2006, 12:49

Not true Nick most decent insurence companies will get you home by air ambulance if the situation warrents it. Also don't think that all hospitals in India can give you the kind of treatment that you could recieve in your own country!!

A recent experience of a friend in hospital taught me that this simply is true, it was a nightmare and this from the Apollo, who are thought to be amongst the best. After the infections got out of hand due to negligence on their part the insurence finally agreed to fly him home!! He could have lost a leg!!!

TimMakins · Sep 17th, 2006, 14:08

You should DEFINITELY get travel insurance. There is absolutely no question about it!! The cost is trivial compared to the potential costs you would have to pay out for. Don't think that all you will have to pay are the medical bills - for instance I ripped a lot of back muscles in Morocco, and my insurance company decided to fly me home (you can read the story on my website ) I am sure there are some excellent hospitals in Cassablanca, but still they decided to fly me home. I was on a stretcher, and this was fixed to the top of 6 standard economy class seats, so that's 6 tickets I would have had to pay for. Then, they had to send a nurse out from London to meet me in Cassablanca and fly back with me to London - after all I couldn't go to the bathroom, could I? Then an ambulance met the aircraft at Heathrow, and drove me, and the nurse, 200 miles north to a hospital near my home. So imagine paying for the cost of all that, BEFORE any medical treatment is talked about! (We won't mention the gold-plated private jet - to find out about that, read my webpage!)

Tim in England

Nick-H · Sep 17th, 2006, 15:15

From what you say, CH, it sounds like the insurance companies will try the local hospitals first!

I'd be interested to know of any other experiences on this --- because it may mean there is a difference between expectation and delivery.

eater · Sep 18th, 2006, 00:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregornot

Namaste,
I'm just concerned about something (an accident)happening where I need to be flown back to the USA

"I am a 100% service related veteran, so have Medical coverage in the US but do not know how good that is in India,etc" Gregornot.

It might be useful to review coverage with veterans just to confirm that you do not have coverage overseas.......just a thought....

Last time, Jan 2006, I was in India I called my VISA card and obtained insurance from VISA. I think I paid $28 CAN or something like that for 2 maybe 3 months coverage.

MC also provides such coverage for 60, 90 days. The policies cover flying back. I forget how long you are going for.

camelgirl · Sep 18th, 2006, 15:58

My opinion as an old geezer. Trips to Asia and elsewhere when I was in my 30s and 40s NEVER got insurance. Now that my husband and I are older and he has some heart problems, we never leave home without it. We specifically get insurance that includes evacuation coverage, and so far have never needed it. BUT that's the point of insurance, isn't it?

I would recommend doing a bit a research, starting with what you have already through the VA. You may be covered for care in a country, pay upfront just save receipts for claims when you return (that's how our regular insurance works). Next, google "travel insurance" and there are lots of companies that come up. I know of a couple, Travelguard and SOS, but can't recommend any because you have to know what you want covered and for how long.

They only evacuate you if you can't get decent care where you are and not always back to the USA. I know of a person doing research in Ethiopia who fell and fractured her skull and was evacuated to Israel for care. From India it may be to Singapore. Generally not helicopter evacuations but on a regular commercial flight. Helicopters in Nepal or out of mountains would probably not be covered and would require something more expensive. Or else you'd probably get a huge bill from the Nepal government

They are not going to rescue rich foreigners for free

Well, that's all I can think of. India has gotten much better medical care over the years but Nepal, which was never great, is probably worse. Sri Lanka isn't so good medically either (we were there in February).

Sep 16th, 2006, 04:02	#1
gregornot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UT,SLC-CA,-Bay Area Posts: 248	Travel Insurance ? Namaste , My passport finally showed up, I paid for five day service and it only took four months and 19 days. So I guess that I'm ready to make final plans and I have learned Indian patience a long the way. The question is should I get travel insurance. I'm 59 er I meant 21 and have Hep C which is under control with a herbal remedy, that I have used last few years. I am going to be in India with a couple side trips to nepal to renew visa and to visit Nepal itself. I have various aliments but I don't see myself treking for long distances. Plan on basing out of Delhi and cruzing the traditional buddha places,sitting and serving at different Vipassana Centers. Also plan on spending time south and if the differences of opinions get settled in Sir Lanka and going to Candy Temple and doing some more Vippassana courses. My Health is not getting better as I get older and am taking pain meds to get through the day I am a 100% service related veteran, so have Medical coverage in the US but do not know how good that is in India,etc. so what do folks think?. I am in a financial position to be able to afford it (but I don't want to spend it), so what does the group think? Thanks, gregor __________________ To conclude with the ever inspiring words of the Buddha: "If the roots remain untouched and firm in the ground, a felled tree still puts forth new shoots. If the underlying habit of craving and aversion is not uprooted, suffering arises anew over and over again." ~Dhammapada XXIV verse 338

Sep 16th, 2006, 08:26	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,905	Thoughts... Medical care is relatively inexpensive in India No need at all to have the kind of cover that gets you flown home in a private jet for emergency treatment. But, if you are going rural, and want to feel that a helicopter will come and get you if you need it... (I don't know if this would happen anyway!?) the cheapness is relative: the results of a road accident or the need for surgery would probably cost more than the insurance premium and take quite a chunk of your capital, let alone your trip budget. services are available at all levels of the Indian economy: your policy wold probably get you a private AC room with posh-hotel-like service, no doubt you could still get good private treatment, without the frills and icing, at much less cost you have health problems and won't get cover for any pre-existing conditions, or anything that the insurance company can twist and say it was associated with pre-existing conditions blah blah blah. You know insurance companies! ...just random jottings, really __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 16th, 2006, 08:58	#3
gregornot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UT,SLC-CA,-Bay Area Posts: 248	Thanks Namaste. Thanks for you input on travel insurance, what about insuring my camera and computer?

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Sep 16th, 2006, 09:05	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,905	Oh dear, I was thinking health, health health! Sorry for the very limited answer. Check carefuly that any policy covers single items of sufficiently high value.....

Sep 17th, 2006, 08:02	#6
gregornot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UT,SLC-CA,-Bay Area Posts: 248	Namaste, I have never had any any insurance except that for my car. So I am a newbie to any household / travel /life insurance. Any help / ideas about getting my new camera and new computer covered, I have VA (veteran administration) health coverage but not insurance on emergency travel to USA. My pre-insurance is nothing for me to worry about. I'm just concerned about something (an accident)happening where I need to be flown back to the USA so like I say I'm an old dog but I can learn new tricks, is shown or told about them. Any help is appreciated, Thanks, gregor

Sep 17th, 2006, 11:55	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,905	I don't think you would need to be flown back. I wonder if insurance companies do fly people out of India, and for what reasons? There's certainly no way an insurance co is going to pay the air fare and USA medical bills if it can get the problem fixed in an Indian private hospital --- I would have thought.

Sep 17th, 2006, 12:49	#8
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Not true Nick most decent insurence companies will get you home by air ambulance if the situation warrents it. Also don't think that all hospitals in India can give you the kind of treatment that you could recieve in your own country!! A recent experience of a friend in hospital taught me that this simply is true, it was a nightmare and this from the Apollo, who are thought to be amongst the best. After the infections got out of hand due to negligence on their part the insurence finally agreed to fly him home!! He could have lost a leg!!!

Sep 17th, 2006, 15:15	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,905	From what you say, CH, it sounds like the insurance companies will try the local hospitals first! I'd be interested to know of any other experiences on this --- because it may mean there is a difference between expectation and delivery.

Sep 18th, 2006, 15:58	#12
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,026	My opinion as an old geezer. Trips to Asia and elsewhere when I was in my 30s and 40s NEVER got insurance. Now that my husband and I are older and he has some heart problems, we never leave home without it. We specifically get insurance that includes evacuation coverage, and so far have never needed it. BUT that's the point of insurance, isn't it? I would recommend doing a bit a research, starting with what you have already through the VA. You may be covered for care in a country, pay upfront just save receipts for claims when you return (that's how our regular insurance works). Next, google "travel insurance" and there are lots of companies that come up. I know of a couple, Travelguard and SOS, but can't recommend any because you have to know what you want covered and for how long. They only evacuate you if you can't get decent care where you are and not always back to the USA. I know of a person doing research in Ethiopia who fell and fractured her skull and was evacuated to Israel for care. From India it may be to Singapore. Generally not helicopter evacuations but on a regular commercial flight. Helicopters in Nepal or out of mountains would probably not be covered and would require something more expensive. Or else you'd probably get a huge bill from the Nepal government They are not going to rescue rich foreigners for free Well, that's all I can think of. India has gotten much better medical care over the years but Nepal, which was never great, is probably worse. Sri Lanka isn't so good medically either (we were there in February).

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