Traveler's insurance?

hurl0060

I am going to Kolkata with two girlfriends of mine to volunteer at Mother Teresa's house. We will be staying for two months. I am just going to be finishing up college and so I will not have insurance. I am debating getting short-term insurance in the states through blue cross or getting travelers insurance? Can anyone give me any advice as to what they have had luck with in the past. I just want to be covered in India in case of illness and emergency.
Thanks Bridget

chad

Hi Bridget,
I'm really sorry I can't respond to your question because both times I've gone to India without insurance. I do hope someone else here can give you advice with respect to your question. But your post has sparked a question of my own to you. I am curious about your plan to volunteer for two months at Mother Teresa's orphanage. Specifically,
1. Did you arange this in advance? If so, by what means?
2. In what capacity do you plan to help?
I personally don't have any professional skills that would be of any use, as I am a barista a starbucks coffee! But I am planning on going back to India hopefully later this year and really want to do some volunteer work. I love kids and could just look after them as far as supervision and giving some much needed TLC. Anyways, I wish you the best on your trip, and here's hoping you won't need insurance, even if you do get it.
-chad

obione980

Do not even think of going to India (or any other foreign country) without insurance. With no insurance you'll simply have to use Government Hospitals if anything serious happens - not a pleasant prospect.

Travel Insurance is cheap. A simple truism is - if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford travel.

chad

I could have afforded it. Some of us are bigger risk takers than others. Anyway........................ I will not be buying insurance for my 3rd trip.

hfot2

You need to read this thread - Is traveler's health insurance really necessary?

distaff half of hfot2

chad

Dang!! (Yes I'm American).. The above quoted thread seems to be full of opinions whether to take risk or not. The OP don't want to take risk.. She wants to get insurance. Period. Just which is better???? So anyone with advice about her options 1 or 2?

hurl0060

Can you give me any specifics about travelers insurance? I am willing to pay I am just not to sure as to what company to go through. Thanks

obione980

Sure - but I'm Australian and doubt that it'll be of much use to you.

I use 1cover - http://www.1cover.com.au/

A Google turned this up - World nomads is well known.
http://www.worldnomads.com/allcountr...px?country=USA

edwardseco

Check with Blue Cross for travel exclusions. Emergency medical evacuation might be interesting. I regret not having that info since I have Blue Cross (there are different types). However, in all my trips I never concerned myself with that. However, my trips as a grantee likely were covered by the institutions. When I went as a student I never had the money to elect that. It depends..

obione980

I've just followed up on the World Nomads site. A 2 month policy - for residents of the USA; valid for travel worldwide would cost the princely sum of $145.

A very small sum to pay for peace of mind.

hfot2

Check out this site for comparisons of major companies and what they offer-

http://www.insuremytrip.com/index-1000-0-13267-0.html


We deal with Dan Dressner by phone at Travel Insurance Center and have found him to be honest and extremely helpful-

http://www.travelinsurancecenter.com/eng/

I've also read some good things about STA but have no personal info on this company and I've read you need not be a student to buy from them -
http://www.statravel.com/cps/rde/xch...ive/?WT.srch=1

Hope this helps.
distaff half of hfot2

hurl0060

Thanks everyone! This is such a helpful website I looked up the travel insurance center and that seems to be the way to go. Does anyone have any experience with having to call the insurance companys' 1-800 number from india to get approval to go to a certain facility. It seems to be how most travel insurance plans work (you get hurt and go to an indian hospital and call the company's 1-800 number to see if you can get treatment there and have the insurance co. billed?). Thanks for all your help I am an amateur, if you haven't noticed!

hfot2

The company will give you a "real" number with an area code that is not toll-free. Call that number COLLECT. The first object is to get yourself taken care of - the insurance company usually will get involved in your care as soon as you call, but I don't think you call them to find out "if you can get treatment..." You go, you begin to get fixed and you call as soon as you can because they will help you with the rest.

Mind you, knock wood, we have never had to do this, but talking with Dan at Travel Insurance Center has made this procedure clear.

distaff half

Nick-H

International calls from India are relatively cheap anyway.

I have no idea if it is possible to make a 'collect' call --- that's American for getting the called person to pay, right?

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edwardseco

Yes sir..