Current best option for annual travel insurance

[Caito]

I've claimed medical expenses in the UK (trip to the emergency room) and a stolen phone

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've claimed medical expenses in the UK (trip to the emergency room) and a stolen phone

I read an interesting article recently where an Australian family in London claimed on their TI and were refused. The situation as reported was that the husband of the injured took his wife to private hospital care and because there is a reciprocal agreement between Australia and UK national health schemes, the TI claimed that they did not pay for private cover since they should gave gone to a NH centre.

I've no first hand knowledge but an interesting scenario to consider maybe.

 

[drron]

This is not uncommon.I came across quite a few Kiwis who were indignant when told their Travel Insurance would not cover Private Hospital treatment only public hospital which was already covered by a reciprocal agreement.The answer we always got when we rang the NZ company.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I read an interesting article recently where an Australian family in London claimed on their TI and were refused. The situation as reported was that the husband of the injured took his wife to private hospital care and because there is a reciprocal agreement between Australia and UK national health schemes, the TI claimed that they did not pay for private cover since they should gave gone to a NH centre.

I've no first hand knowledge but an interesting scenario to consider maybe.

Rule No 1 when seeeking Medical assistance is always where possible ring your TI provider and have them recommend where to go. Not only does this provide competent treatment (particularly in third world countries), it also greatly simplifies the claim process and also means that there should be no issues over what is covered/paid. If something is not to be covered (ie such as private) then this will be discussed at the time before going to the wrong option. In some cases it will also speed up the option of flying home early if applicable.

A further benefit is that you will normally speak to a nurse who will give your initial advice.

 

[moa999]

I think there is a general rule to minimise cost to the insurer where practicable.

But yes I would always be calling the TI if a major medical claim

 

[BruceBris]

I don't know if this belongs in this thread but I am presently in the French Alps with a friend who had a fall and has a "possible fracture" to his leg. He has full Snow insurance with Insureandgo but they are unable to find anyone to translate the French doctors reports and said it might take until Monday because it is a weekend. They have a scheduled train to London tomorrow and are unable to even get an approval. They have all the documents they need but are being kept in limbo.

Does anyone else have experience with Insurandgo that might help them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[get me outta here]

Geez, that's terrible service and thanks for the warning. I don't have any particular ideas except to make notes carefully of each conversation date and time and get the insurance phone agents name/ number etc. Also, I wonder if there is an insurance after hours emergency ombudsman number. There will be AFF members who have more concrete suggestions.

I have noticed Insureango is being offered all over the Scoopon type sites at the moment.

I don't know if this belongs in this thread but I am presently in the French Alps with a friend who had a fall and has a "possible fracture" to his leg. He has full Snow insurance with Insureandgo but they are unable to find anyone to translate the French doctors reports and said it might take until Monday because it is a weekend. They have a scheduled train to London tomorrow and are unable to even get an approval. They have all the documents they need but are being kept in limbo.

Does anyone else have experience with Insurandgo that might help them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pushka]

I don't know if this belongs in this thread but I am presently in the French Alps with a friend who had a fall and has a "possible fracture" to his leg. He has full Snow insurance with Insureandgo but they are unable to find anyone to translate the French doctors reports and said it might take until Monday because it is a weekend. They have a scheduled train to London tomorrow and are unable to even get an approval. They have all the documents they need but are being kept in limbo.

Does anyone else have experience with Insurandgo that might help them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

When we had a similar incident in Thailand the Insurers provided a Thai translator. I think I would assert the 'not good enough - this is complicating the treatment (= likelihood of more $) and insist on faster action. This must happen all the time!

I would also ask at the Hospital for a translation of the injury.

Can you see 'fracture' in the report? Is the word 'pas' next to it?

Post something on their Facebook page for wider attention.

 

[coles525]

Just had a quote from 1cover, asking if frequent.flyer points are covered.

Reply was yes, but I can't seem to dind any wording in the 40 pages of rules.....

 

[BruceBris]

Update on our friend's insurance problems. The company finally approved the claim after around 40 odd hours but, by then, our friends had taken their connection to London rather than be stranded in the ski resort. Insurandgo advised them to purchase new airline tickets home and claim later (to their credit, they approved upgrade to business). When my friend explained they did not have the resources the insurers agreed to make the arrangements. Unfortunately, the insurers forget they would be in London so booked them out of Paris. I've been travelling since and haven't yet heard the latest news. Thanks Pushka - yes it was clear that it was a "Possible Fracture" but the insurers wanted an official translation of all French documents - a little difficult when he's hopping on crutches with a temporary cast. Fortunately, they finally accepted our translation of the critical reports (incident report) and after many more calls and waiting approved the claim. Luckily, they've kept their sense of humour through it all but it was wearing thin the last time we spoke.'

 

[Cryptarcadian]

…as is 1cover (underwritten by allianz).

FYI that no longer appears to be the case. According to the 1cover website now:
"This insurance is underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd's"

 

[get me outta here]

Anyone have any promo / discount codes avaiable at the moment please?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Anyone have any promo / discount codes avaiable at the moment please?

For whom? I just noticed JR Duty Free has a 20% member disc for Cover More. It costs nothing to join. I have no idea of how good Cover More are, or how competitive.

 

[DC3]

I'm looking at renewing my TID annual policy over the next few weeks. TIDSAVE is giving 6%, TIDTHANKS is 5%, but I usually find something for 10%, so still looking.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'm looking at renewing my TID annual policy over the next few weeks. TIDSAVE is giving 6%, TIDTHANKS is 5%, but I usually find something for 10%, so still looking.

Really do not understand why some do not just use TI privided by most Gold/Platinum credit cards. Unless you have some special conditions, they are equivalent.

 

[DC3]

I've just looked at the Columbus Direct quote (via the AFF 20%-off link) for an annual policy, and it's very competitive with TID. In fact, much better. And it cover 60-day trips.

I'll have to look into the T&C for that.

 

[DeKa]

I'm looking at renewing my TID annual policy over the next few weeks. TIDSAVE is giving 6%, TIDTHANKS is 5%, but I usually find something for 10%, so still looking.

Call them and tell them you will not renew unless they give you a bigger discount. Worked for me.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Apart from the ANZ most others have relatively hard to attain actvation clauses if you are using points for the flights. Higher limits for some things.

Not true.

A number of the bank issued ones are fine for covering off on where you have used FF points.

ANZ has the lowest barrier $$ to activation but Westpac etc are not that hard given the spend in advance for most international travel. In terms of flight activation you just have have a ticket there and back (so nota barrier at all) with the $$ spend and you are activated.

The only good thing about fuel fines is that they are often enough to see you CC TI activated!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Not true.

A number of the bank issued ones are fine for covering off on where you have used FF points.

ANZ has the lowest barrier $$ to activation but Westpac etc are not that hard given the spend in advance for most international travel. In terms of flight activation you just have have a ticket there and back (so nota barrier at all) with the $$ spend and you are activated.

The only good thing about fuel fines is that they are often enough to see you CC TI activated!

My Westpac card, requires only $500 in bookings plus return ticket. Very good.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

My Westpac card, requires only $500 in bookings plus return ticket. Very good.

I have had some trips where I have been covered by two different Bank CC Platinum TI policies and on one occassion three. So for me activation is not that hard to achieve.

Westpac I regularly use as the card if free with my mortgage, whereas some of the others may be subject to churn and as I might redeem almost a year out I will pay the fuel fines and charges on it to activate the insurance so that I am covered for cancellation immediately. If I am short one can book a hotel or trip expenses to meet the minimum. Once I have activated my TI I just focus on the best points earn.