Trip Insurance question/concern

[branv]

I've been shopping at the recommended online insurance sites for Trip Insurance, and I've noticed something that makes me wonder.

In the instances of medical treatment and evacuation, I noticed a couple of insurers that have to give approval or, in the case of this Travel Guard instruction about evacuation: "Service must be provided by a provider designated by the Insurer."

Now...if, god forbid, there's a terrible accident/emergency, who in the world is going to think or have time/ability to call the trip insurance people to say "hey there, my kidney just exploded, can you authorize a helicopter?"

Or even in the case of regular medical treatment on ship, it is quite expensive to make a phone call from the ship. I can't imagine having to sit on hold with an insurance company at $6-$7/minute to see if they will authorize a doctors visit for an earache.

So can someone tell me what their experience has been, and who they went through?

 

[ivanova]

personally I would include the cost of the phone call on the insurance claim form for reimbursement. Don't know that they'll reimburse, but I'd at least try.

This is no different that most medical insurance coverage in the US. My HMO needs to approve procedures, facilities, etc. in advance (or within 24 hours of admission).

As long as you have a travel companion, they can be the ones to make the necessary call(s) while you are being treated.

 

[TheWog]

DCL also has all your insurance info (if you provide it ahead of time). They may even make the calls for you. You could always call and ask them what they do in circumstances like this.

 

[tvguy]

Insurance companies like to protect themselves, and some will put up every road block and make you fight them to get your money.

A friend had a heart attack (not on a ship, at home), and his insurance company twice rejected his bills for the Ambulance, ER and Angioplasty that saved his life because he didn't call for pre-authorization.
Hello!!! Then after they finally paid, they rejected his claims for the medicine he needs to prevent a second heart attack.!!!