Buying & using trip medical insurance

[snickerboo]

Who do you use for trip medical insurance and have you ever had to use you medical insurance. If so, how was the company to deal with. Dh has insurance through his CC but it's only for the cardholder o I'll have to buy for the kids and I. President's Choice is cheapest but I'm leery about something so cheap.

[KerriMc]

We originally had insurance through the travel agent the first year we travelled ... I don't remember the name (RBC? but that is a guess) ... we ended up using it as my youngest was just 8 mos old then and came down with RSV while on holidays. We had a visit to the clinic (300) and I prepaid that not knowing I should have called them first and they would send a form ahead to cover us. So when we ended up rushing her to emerg we did that and she got in really fast and had x-rays done and a vapour treatment. We didnt' have to pay out of pocket at all. I could look and see what company that was. It was so nice not to have to pay and wait to be reimbursed.

This past year we went and just had the TD travel insurance which is what I usually buy. My dad ended up at the hospital with severe jaw pain and high blood pressure (so thinking possible heart attack or abcess ... what a variance lol). It took a long time but my parents got all of their money reimbursed as well. That is pretty cost affective too ... probably similar in cost to PC and likely a similar insurance company.

We think we have it through dh's work too ... but I usually just buy some to be sure!

[Remmy]

I have always bought insurance through Manulife, on line. I think you can also find it under the CoverMe website. I work with insurance plans at work and have always enjoyed dealing with them for non-trip issues.

A long time back, my parents and I went to the States and had this same insurance. My dad had a kidney stone attack and we rushed him to a hospital. He was treated like a king due to insurance and they never had to pay a cent. We just called first as per the number and stipulation they give you. If it was an emergency where you couldn't call, no worries, I have asked and you just need to call as soon as possible or someone from your traveling party does.

I would never travel without insurance and found them to be cheaper than through CAA (even though it is the same company they use) and the Royal Bank. It is a company I trust thus that is why we always used them. In January I purchased travel insurance for my whole family and for I think 22 days of out of province (always pay for a few days before and after for full coverage and if an emergency and you cannot leave on the day you planned) it came to roughly around the $80.00 mark. I thought this was well worth the peace of mind for our trip. Of course prices charged are usually for the ages of your family and past medical information, thus it could be lower or higher depending on your personal information.

My advice would be feel really comfortable dealing with whatever insurance company you choose and make certain to read all the fine details of the policy.

Remmy:flower3:

[grover]

We buy ours thru Blue Cross..have had to use in the USA and never had any problem..they direct billed for us. For one year of coverage it cost us about 100.00

[wannago2disney]

we use CIBC to top up our coverage...DH's work covers 80% and we pay to upgrade the rest. Of course you can get 100% coverage as well. We personally have not had to use it, but friends of ours did last year when they were in an accident in the US and it worked the same as PP who mentioned RBC...call ahead and they handle everything. We find it to be more cost effective than CAA (which we belong to).

[Charleyann]

We use BMO . We are covered for medical, trip interruption and cancellation. We are going for 33 days and family insirance was $158!

Charleyann:santa:

[Calgary DISHeads]

I haven't looked into at all :scared1: and final payment is due on Friday. I am the worst procrastinator! I haven't bought cancellation insurance/trip interruption since the kids were small and we are covered on the medical side by sunlife through work. However this time do want to purchase especially because of H1N1, and the fact that DS15 dislocated and fractured his shoulder on Friday which easily could have been done the day we were due to leave. Has anyone just purchased this type of insurance - any idea of the best providers, reasonable cost etc? Thanks in advance for help.

[Charleyann]

I haven't looked into at all :scared1: and final payment is due on Friday. I am the worst procrastinator! I haven't bought cancellation insurance/trip interruption since the kids were small and we are covered on the medical side by sunlife through work. However this time do want to purchase especially because of H1N1, and the fact that DS15 dislocated and fractured his shoulder on Friday which easily could have been done the day we were due to leave. Has anyone just purchased this type of insurance - any idea of the best providers, reasonable cost etc? Thanks in advance for help.

Try BMO, you can buy it the day before....I got 33 days, family plan for $158.

Charleyann:santa:

[Calgary DISHeads]

Try BMO, you can buy it the day before....I got 33 days, family plan for $158.

Charleyann:santa:

Great thank you! Wow 33 days lucky you that is quite a trip!

Interestingly enough last trip we were almost stuck overnight in Toronto due to a massive storm and when I called visa about delayed travel insurance they were confused as to whether we would be covered because although the trip was booked via visa and the tax etc for the airline tickets was charged to via the actual tickets weren't (on points). I couldn't get an answer at the time and forgot about it as we didn't have to use it. Should check into that again...

[snickerboo]

Thanks for the info. I bought the Manulife health family plan. We booked using our American Rewards Miles. They're the only thing we'd lose and we didn't think trip cancellation insurance would cover those, though they'll cost us about $500 to get reimbursed if we cancel. This was one year we did not prepay everything!

[P&L@WDW]

I always use RBC. I find them really affordable, and they will prepay everything if you call ahead, like other posters have mentioned. I've had to use my medical insurance twice, on two separate trips! You can buy insurance right up to, and including the day you leave, with RBC, at any bank branch. They have a 1800 number too, somewhere.

I haven't looked into at all :scared1: and final payment is due on Friday. I am the worst procrastinator! I haven't bought cancellation insurance/trip interruption since the kids were small and we are covered on the medical side by sunlife through work. However this time do want to purchase especially because of H1N1, and the fact that DS15 dislocated and fractured his shoulder on Friday which easily could have been done the day we were due to leave. Has anyone just purchased this type of insurance - any idea of the best providers, reasonable cost etc? Thanks in advance for help.

[Calgary DISHeads]

I am such a procrasinator I am trying to persuade DH to move from POR to AKL! Wish me luck....

On the insurance front, since Thursday DS15 has disclocated and fractured his shoulder, and I have been tested for H1N1 and am on tamiflu. You just never know what/when will hit.

[mkmommy]

We use BMO . We are covered for medical, trip interruption and cancellation. We are going for 33 days and family insirance was $158!

Charleyann:santa:

How did you get this rate? I got a quote on line for only a 10 day trip for family and it was almost $400. $158 is a big difference, and I think that was about the price without cancellation.

[Calgary DISHeads]

How did you get this rate? I got a quote on line for only a 10 day trip for family and it was almost $400. $158 is a big difference, and I think that was about the price without cancellation.

I just called CIBC and was quoted $122.04 EACH for cancellation insurance - no medical - I just about choked. To add medical would be about $45 each. Where did you get the quote for $400? Mind doesn't even include airfare as we are flying on points!

[minnie56]

How much is the total value of your trip Calgary DISheads?

[Calgary DISHeads]

How much is the total value of your trip Calgary DISheads?

$7200 US (without airfare - on points) so around $8K cdn.

[minnie56]

How many days? Kids ages?

[Calgary DISHeads]

How many days? Kids ages?

14 days, 15 and 12

[Charleyann]

How did you get this rate? I got a quote on line for only a 10 day trip for family and it was almost $400. $158 is a big difference, and I think that was about the price without cancellation.

I got this online. But you can call BMO directly I google under BMO travel insurance....

Then I called. You can add different things. I took medical and trip interruption for 33 days and got quoted $155. I'll go find it and post the link!

Charleyann

[mkmommy]

I got this online. But you can call BMO directly I google under BMO travel insurance....

Then I called. You can add different things. I took medical and trip interruption for 33 days and got quoted $155. I'll go find it and post the link!

Charleyann

Ok you just have trip interruption only, not cancelation that explains the difference.

[Calgary DISHeads]

Ok you just have trip interruption only, not cancelation that explains the difference.

I just took a look at Disney's cancellation policy on packages and it's only $200 if cancelled within 6 days, and $100 if cancelled from 6 - 44 so it makes no sense to get cancellation insurance only interruption insurance. Does this make make sense :confused3 if so, we can save a wad of cash... I wondered why disney's insurance was so below, originally figured there must be a lot of exclusions in it.

[Calgary DISHeads]

I got this online. But you can call BMO directly I google under BMO travel insurance....

Then I called. You can add different things. I took medical and trip interruption for 33 days and got quoted $155. I'll go find it and post the link!

Charleyann

Sorry, Charleyann, I should have included you in the message below - I think you are the one that has it all figured out.

[sk8jdgca]

I have the insurance on my rbc credit card (110 for rhe year) covers trip cancellation, interuption and 30 out of province. I had to use it last year when I came down with a UTI. I called the number first and they arranged for a dr to come to the hotel. he tested me and brought me my meds- I didn't even have to change out of my PJ's It was great and I never paid a cent (other than the annual credit card cost) It covered me and my kids (it would also cover a souse travelling with me if I had one)

[minnie56]

I had to wing a lot of it..as in where you are going? I am assuming it's a land pkg at WDW? I had to make up your ages..kept you both under 42? Used the ages provided for the kids.

Deluxe pkg / $620 not incl tx / this inclds medical coverage/trip cancellation and interruption. This is based $8,000 CAD of coverage. Non medical would be $496 not incld tx.

Yes, it is getting 'up there' in cost! :confused3

[Calgary DISHeads]

I had to wing a lot of it..as in where you are going? I am assuming it's a land pkg at WDW? I had to make up your ages..kept you both under 42? Used the ages provided for the kids.

Deluxe pkg / $620 not incl tx / this inclds medical coverage/trip cancellation and interruption. This is based $8,000 CAD of coverage. Non medical would be $496 not incld tx.

Yes, it is getting 'up there' in cost! :confused3

It's a chunk of change... I've been looking at Disney's cancellation policy and it's cheaper than buying insurance, from my brief look the hardest hit would be $200. I've bought cancellation insurance on airline tickets before, and I remember that being really expensive but I don't need that this time. I think all I need is interruption and I know it's covered somewhat on my credit card, I'll have to look into that part more carefully.

Thanks for looking though!

[minnie56]

It is I know..Disney is pretty fair with their cancellation policy. As long as you have medical coverage..many credit cards (CIBC Infinite for one) have trip interruption coverage so I would read that through thoroughly on yours.

Anytime!:thumbsup2

[Charleyann]

Here is the link to get your quote. You guys should really look this over. Good prices. Just compare and see if they offer you near or near the same options...

https://insurance.mondial-assistance.ca/add/purchase1_v5.asp?token=69070AA7A27047968F28F199FBD AD827#bottom

Charleyann:santa:

[Disney Fanatic]

RBC For sure.. DS got sick in Disney and RBC sent a Dr. (pediatrician) right to our hotel room. Great service you could not even pay for at home!!
Highly recommended~
If something is cheaper, there is usually a reason.

You definately get what you pay for!
Good Luck with your decision!

[trivial]

Although I never had to use it, I had purchased health/cancellation insurance from President's Choice for our last trip. I can speak to my experience with their car insurance however (when they offered it); they were excellent and I had no problems dealing with them whatsoever.

[nepean]

I have the RBC annual plan 15 days per trip. We have used them in the past and found them excellent. DD ended up in Celebration Hospital with Norwalk and I then ended up at the clinic two days later. The hospital bill would have been $2500 and the clinic $180. I received a copy of the bill from the hospital after I got home. RBC paid everything upfront and were easy to deal with. This trip we will be gone 23 days. On day 13 I will call and top up our insurance for the extra days. I have done this in the past. Our annual bill for 3 people is $132. and covers multiple trips. No cancellation just medical since we drive and can cancel our hotel within 24 hours.

RBC is great for service.

Linda

[chimo2u]

I am trying to decide what to do for insurance this trip. Disney insurance seems very reasonable...only $67.00 (only the adult pays). I am going for 1 week in August, with just my son (14) and I. The only thing I am concerned about is our flights (hurricane season). I have great medical coverage through hubby's work but am wondering what to buy to ensure our flights are safe/hotel and food covered, in the event of weather-related delays. What type of insurance would be good for this? Would Disney's insurance be appropriate? I have until my day 45 to add it on my package.

[Calgary DISHeads]

I have never booked flights through WDW, I think I looked at it once but at that time you couldn't book from Canada :confused3 I would make sure that you are getting the best flight deal first, then look at the cost of insurance. I do know flight insurance is stupidly expensive, although sometimes you have to just bite the bullet, especially with young kids.

[chimo2u]

No, I am not booking flights thru Disney...they will be booked via West jet. Actually thinking of driving from Edmonton to Calgary to take advantage of the direct flight. I was talking about purchasing insurance on the package that I book through Disney... but now that I think of it, perhaps it is only for the parks/tickets if I purchase flights elsewhere...that would make sense!
I will have to investigate more!! LOL

[squirrel]

I also have been getting insurance through RBC. My travel agent books me the deluxe package as I take my niece. It's suppose to cover flying another adult down if anything happens to either of us and have to stay in the hospital.

[pxlbarrel]

I just use the CAA's medical insurance. I have an annual plan from them and it covers any time I leave the country for a period up to 2 weeks. I've used it once...while in Japan. I needed to see a doctor so I called them and they told me to go ahead and see one and to fill in some forms they'd send me. I paid the doctor, got my prescription and when I got home, the forms were waiting. Filled them in and got my money back quickly. Note: the appointment was like $40 and the antibiotics were $18. Talk about cheap health care.

[Valjean13]

If you (and your family) are all under 51, you can purchase travel insurance from Travel Cuts. Their comprehensive plan (and the most expensive) is only $58 for 10 days when traveling to the USA. Less if you are going anywhere else in the world. If you just want medical, up to 1 million in coverage, it's $1.84 per day. We are going to use them for our upcoming trip to New Zealand and Australia.