A Case for Travel Insurance
Before we started traveling deliriously, we didn’t give much attention to travel insurance. We knew it was out there, but – for us – it was just a bothersome entity that served only to make us feel paranoid about everything that might possibly go wrong.
What if a dog bites one of us? What if I step on a rusty nail? (Cue the ominous music.)
That all changed a few years back, when we adopted this “no vacation required” (NVR) life and found ourselves on the road a lot. We’re now pretty big fans of travel insurance. Here’s why.
Case #1: You REALLY never know what might happen out there in the world.
Before embarking on our multi-month life-changer of a journey to South America, we got the deluxe travel insurance package – medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delay, baggage theft. The works. Full disclosure. We never would have gotten this had it not been required by the organization we were set to volunteer with. It was probably a good idea, given that we were to be volunteering in a place with parasite filled water, etc.
Well, everything was humming right along until our last day in Ecuador. On the day we were set to jet off to Argentina, we arrived at the airport to learn that there was an accident. An airplane was stranded at the end of the runway, preventing other planes from taking off. They were telling anxious travelers to not even bother staying at the airport because the accident had to be investigated before the plane could be moved.
Of course we had handed back the keys to our rental apartment, so we felt stuck. We then remembered our fancy-schmancy travel insurance package. We jumped online and researched the details and were happy to see that everything would (should) be covered – hotel, food, taxis, misc. expenses. We were stoked and couldn’t get out of the airport fast enough. The veins in our foreheads were throbbing and threatening a stroke, thanks to the mob scene and the arguing with airport/airline officials.
We made it out of Ecuador a couple of days later but were skeptical about getting everything reimbursed. Once down in Argentina we called our insurer and filed the necessary paperwork. A few weeks later, we had a check covering everything.
Case #2: Healthy one day, unable to walk the next.
You may remember our recent last-minute journey to Denver (with a cane in tow). Caanan had a ca-razy quick-onset foot problem that hit right before we took off for Denver. It left him in unbearable pain if he put even the tiniest bit of pressure on his foot. Thus, the cane.
As it turned out,the foot got better in Denver. He was able to ditch the cane within a few days. Then about a month later, in Florida, the same thing happened again. Near the end of our time in Orlando – out of the blue – the foot pain hit him again. Walking was unbearable. Being in theme-park territory involves a lot of walking, so we didn’t mess around. We got online and made an appointment at a nearby clinic.
Get this… When we arrived at the clinic and provided the details of our travel insurance, the clinic said they would bill our insurer directly. We didn’t even have to pay upfront. Well, the foot problem got resolved but, once again, we were left wondering if travel insurance would pull through for us. Again, we filled out some basic paperwork and waited a few weeks. Still skeptical, we were surprised to see everything paid in full. No questions.
Case #3: If #1 and #2 aren’t enough.
Our sister shattered her ankle while on safari in Africa. Can you even imagine? Talk about the middle of nowhere. She, too, had travel insurance and says that she was treated like a queen. Their insurer even flew them back to the United States first class. I know… it makes you think twice about just how bad it would be to shatter your ankle while on safari. Kidding.
So, that’s all we have, and we know that our’s does not represent all opinions on the topic. We went from being travel insurance avoiders to being skeptics to, now, promoting the hell out of it. We’re not quite ready to advertise on their behalf, but feel free to shoot of an e-mail if you want to know the specific company that we go through. Update 11/3: We woke up with a bunch of e-mails asking us about what travel insurance provider we use. It’s Global Travel Shield. Originally, we didn’t want to post the provider’s name, because we don’t want this post to come across like a sponsored ad. In a future post, we’ll write about what to look for in a provider.
Are you surprised by this? What has your experience been with travel insurance providers?
This is good to know! Thanks for the info! I’m curious if you used the same travel insurance carrier both times. Who do you recommend? I’ve done a lot of research, and I know who looks good on paper, but fortunately have never had to use it.
I can’t tell you how leery we were of the whole travel insurance arena at first. Yes, we used the same company in both instances.
Congratulations on this advice. I see the affects of people with no travel insurance often in my work. This year there were the issues with the volcano disruption throughout Europe. For over a week travel was impossible, and the costs to people were immense – there were non-insured people literally living under bridges in Paris. Scary! Any insurance package is good, but a premium package even better.
Hi, John – You really don’t know what might happen when traveling – that includes a volcano eruption! Who would have thought?
I am surprised by all 3 accounts. Who do you recommend and what should we look for in selecting insurance companies?
Hi, Ben – Lots of people e-mailed asking about the provider, so we revised the post and put that info. in. In a future post, we’ll get into “things to consider” when searching for a provider.
Wow, those are some crazy stories. I’m glad you had insurance. I know I am going to need to get some for my trip. Its to soon for me to start looking. What insurance company was it that you went through (I don’t think you mentioned it, unless i over looked it)???
Yes, Jaime – You’ll definitely want to check it out for your RTW adventure. Based on all of the e-mails we’ve received, we’re going to do a post on selecting a provider.
I learned the need for travel insurance the hard way this past May…We were booked on a flight on a budget airline called Blu-express from Rome to Istanbul. Of course, they changed the flight time and never contacted us. I ended up having to buy same day flights on Turkish Airlines for $500 a piece. I will never travel without insurance again!
Situations like that are painful – on the brain AND the wallet. Honestly – a few years ago – I don’t think we even knew that “trip interruption” or “trip delay” insurance existed. That’s why case #1 (above) was such a shocker for us. We settled in at the Radisson that night in Ecuador, and I thought: “I can’t believe we don’t have to be freaking out at the airport, AND that all of this is paid for.” Definitely a bad situation turned good. OK, I better stop… I’m sounding like an insurance broker again.
Great article! One time I didn’t have travel insurance in Thailand (I was living there and thought I would get it once I was settled in – stupid I know) and wouldn’t you know it, ended up in a hospital with a severe kidney infection for a week. The bill was almost $5000 dollars and I was working as an intern on a small stipend. Ouch! After much discussion, the hospital agreed to monthly payments, which hardly gave me anything to live on. I can’t recommend travel insurance enough!
Oh, Gosh! Now THAT’s a case for travel insurance. We’re hearing lots of things like this since posting this entry. So many travelers seem to have examples of times when travel insurance would be useful. We were expecting a lot more “it’s a rip off” comments.
wow, congratulations on all those claims. puts some faith back in insurance companies.
as a super unorganized traveller, i usually organize mine over the net the morning i am leaving, without even reading the policy. not recommended. lucky the one time i needed it after a surfing accident in costa rica that involved stitches without anaesthasia (no idea how to spell that), they came through with the goods.
ill read your follow up post and hopefully get myself organized next trip!
We’ve gotta hear that Costa Rica story at some point!
Great point well made! We’ve never had traveler’s insurance but with one major motorcycle accident behind us (in Thailand) and a RTW in front of us, you can bet we’ll be considering it for the future.
Three broken bones, 5 casts, numerous x-rays, and 11 days in a private room would have completely destroyed our research trip if not for our motorbike rental co. carrying insurance for their riders. That was an extremely rare stroke of luck in our favor, but I don’t see us gambling that way again.
Since we’ve never looked into it, I had no idea insurance would cover many of the inconveniences you mention here- Wow! Thanks for the great info & for including the company name as well.
Yes, good thing they had insurance for their riders. 11 days in a hospital is a long time.
Definitely check out insurance pre RTW!
Hey,
I am still leery of travel insurance for the same reason I am leery of all insurance. I have bad experience with health and car numerous times. However, you made some good points for the future.
Hi, Devin – I think it’s worth at least checking it out. Many people seem to be surprised – as we were – by the relatively low price of travel medical. It might be a good way for you to test out the arena (trip delay insurance, etc. can get spendy).
Such a good reminder and so true. I would much rather pay for the peace of mind that having travel insurance gives me than risk not having it when I need it. I’ve known people who have had some nightmare scenarios while traveling and although I’ve been lucky so far, you can never ever be too careful.
The peace of mind thing is huge for us too. One time I was super sick in South America. Just knowing travel isurance was there (in case things got worse) was very mind-calming.
I would never travel without insurance, the possibilities are endless and I may be cheap but I don’t skimp on my health.
I hear ya… It just took us a while to figure that same thing out
I (almost) always have travel insurance… I don’t mind paying for it when I “know” I’m getting covered if anything happens on the road. Luckily, I’ve never had to use it… ::knock on wood::
But still, even though “blindly” I pay for travel insurance, I always wonder if they will truly cover me in case… though, prefer not knowing personally… ha!
So have you NEVER had to file a claim?
Great examples. I’ve been pretty fortunate to never need it, but like Ayngelina said, there’s just too many possibilities. Many of those bad situations would be trip enders without insurance and are easily dealt with when you have backup.
Any insurance is a cost, and most people don’t want to incur any extra cost.
But when you need to claim, it’s fantastic to have it.
There was a case a year or so of an Aussie guy, stuck in an Indian hospital, died there, because he didn’t have the insurance to get him home.
http://www.bringgeorgeback.com/story.php
Sad, tragic, but for any traveller without insurance, this could be you.
OK… this may be THE examples of all examples. Thanks for sharing.
As mentioned previously, I think readers will be really surprised to see just how inexpensive travel medical is. Check it out people!
we run a volunteer travel company (http://www.volunteercapitalcentre.org) and we make every volunteer get travel insurance because there a host of problem that can occur and travel insurance does help a lot. the problems dont occur often but when they do you will be glad you have travel insurance
Wow! I always get myself travel insurance before I leave, but I always feel like you in that I hardly can say I’d trust it. Good to know it’s always worked out for you!
I think travel insurance is like gambling when you’re broke: You never win when you need to.. if you don’t get travel insurance, chances are you will wish you had. If you do, then you may not use it. Still, it’s a safety net worth having!
It’s all about the safety net, Kelly! The peace of mind has really been great for us. And now that we’ve had such positive experiences, the peace of mind is even greater (knowing that they’ll actually pay our claims). Watch, though… Our next entry may be titled “What To Do When Your Travel Insurance Dumps You.”
Have never used GTS. I will have to check it out. I’ve always used STA (you don’t have to be a student). Curious, do you take out domestic insurance in addition to GTS?
Hi, Tran – Yes, we have a policy for catastrophic care only.
ahhh….smart. i do as well.
I dunno guys, I’m still not convinced. The only time I got insurance was when I went to Pampolona Running Of The Bulls. Then I read the small print that I wasn’t insured if I actually ran with the bulls. That was my whole reason of getting it!
I just don’t trust insurance companies. Having said that I think I need to see the doctor because my back is killing me. Ha!
They don’t take kindly to any “extreme” sports.