Trip Insurance……should I purchase it?

[Vintageguy]

Out of curiosity; for you US guys; are you covered for medical while outside US by your ordinary health/medical insurance?

When I checked into it I found that most employee type health plans don’t apply outside the country.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Out of curiosity; for you US guys; are you covered for medical while outside US by your ordinary health/medical insurance?

I don’t believe most if any private medical insurance policies here will cover one outside the US. In fact, many won’t cover you outside of their “service area” for more than a temporary time period for non emergency services. Mine through my employer will only cover me for 60-90 days in another state. As a side note, on my RSA PG Safari in June 2022, I fell the second day of the hunt and went to a hospital in PE. I had a broken rib. The bill was $75us. I had a Ripcord Medical/Evac policy but never filed a claim with them due to the small amount of the bill. I’m glad I had their policy though. Sh** happens!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I have been in the hospital in Pretoria for 3 days. 3 days=$10,000.00 FYI.

 

[Hunter4752001]

I'm not sure if this is an issue for our US cousins, but in most of the world you really need to study the fine print. Most (almost all) travel insurance over here have a sections in the fine print which excludes anything that occurs on a hunting trip. Most of these conditions are in place at the insistence of the ultimate insurers. Principally these are either Lloyds members or European based firms.

 

[375Fox]

I don’t believe most if any private medical insurance policies here will cover one outside the US. In fact, many won’t cover you outside of their “service area” for more than a temporary time period for non emergency services. Mine through my employer will only cover me for 60-90 days in another state. As a side note, on my RSA PG Safari in June 2022, I fell the second day of the hunt and went to a hospital in PE. I had a broken rib. The bill was $75us. I had a Ripcord Medical/Evac policy but never filed a claim with them due to the small amount of the bill. I’m glad I had their policy though. Sh** happens!

Most of the travel accident plans I looked at were United healthcare. Usually travel accident plans (not evacuation insurance) are under $50. It would be for a situation like yours. I’ve never tried to call my health insurance to see if I could add a short term travel accident policy. The plans that are advertised are too easy to sign up and buy, just select dates, coverage, and country and some personal information done in 5 minutes. Seems health care almost everywhere outside the US is very affordable though. I question if it’s really necessary but I like the peace of mind combined with medical evacuation insurance.

 

[Softballdad]

Just watched a YouTube video where "homemade wanderlust" had to get helicopter out when backpacking in Idaho. She's filed a insurance claim with a policy from her Garmin InReach. Anyone know about these policies??

 

[CoElkHunter]

Most of the travel accident plans I looked at were United healthcare. Usually travel accident plans (not evacuation insurance) are under $50. It would be for a situation like yours. I’ve never tried to call my health insurance to see if I could add a short term travel accident policy. The plans that are advertised are too easy to sign up and buy, just select dates, coverage, and country and some personal information done in 5 minutes. Seems health care almost everywhere outside the US is very affordable though. I question if it’s really necessary but I like the peace of mind combined with medical evacuation insurance.

The Ripcord Med/Evac policy I purchased for my RSA trip for 12-14 days was $300. The cost is determined by the purchaser’s age, length of policy and destination. I didn’t buy trip insurance but probably should have in the event something went MORE awry. My travel agent DID tell me the most one would have to pay for a completely cancelled airline ticket is $400 per federal law. Trip insurance would have been another $700 probably would have covered at least a portion of the Safari cost if I couldn’t have made it. My trip was at the tail end of Covid, so that’s why I asked him.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Have you run the numbers of how much you’ve spent on insurance vs hunt cost? Nearly all private land South African and Namibian outfitters will work with you to carry your deposit over to a future year. The flight credit is good for one year. The amount spent on insurance quickly exceeds the possible value you stand to lose after a few hunts. I think discussing cancellation and rescheduling policies with outfitter is better than spending money on the insurance in most cases.

Different priorities but I look at it this way. Spending thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars on a hunt, insurance cost is pocket change. It's similar to trying to save a couple hundred bucks to an experienced travel agent and doing everything one's self. Age is a factor. If you're "senior" like many of those going on foreign hunts, there may not be a next time.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hello,

I have flights booked, have been in contact with rifle permits and coppersmith.

My question is should invest in the travel insurance. And if so, who would you all recommend?

I have a quote from Ripcord.

Any other suggestions/thoughts??

Thanks in advance!

More info please!
where and what are you hunting?

 

[Hogpatrol]

An update to my buddy who used the insurance after health issues prevented him from going on his Africa hunt. More serious health issues in the next year and he never made the trip. Point being, even if the outfitter will reschedule and the airline tix are still good, there's no guarantee.

IIRC, There's a thread here where a hunter was seriously injured by an animal, laid up locally for an extended period and finally flew home with medical people in attendance. I wouldn't want to pay that tab.

 

[Rhino83]

Thanks to all for your input…….much appreciated!

 

[Justbryan]

I buy GeoBlue overseas health insurance and nothing else. I buy a policy for the days I am out of the country, not a year.

I had a hunting trip canceled on another companies' evacuation/interruption policy and all they will pay for is what you have lost. So, if the airlines will re-book or give you credit then there is $0 paid out for airlines. If there is a refund on hotels, then $0 is paid out. They only paid on actual loses so I received nothing, and they found a clause that excluded all my reimbursements.

GeoBlue was my cheapest option, but I have never used it nor needed it.

If I had money to spend I would (Ripcord) but I don't so I did not buy evacuation/interruption insurance. I am not saying buy GeoBlue but it made my wife feel better.

My wife works for an airlines and their trip interruption policy is a joke. It is almost impossible to get paid.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I purchased a 250,000.00 medical and evacuation policy for the last 2 trips cost was a couple hundred. I also checked with my health insurance United Health Care and was told they did not pay the Dr or hospital if it is out of country but when you get home you file a claim and they will pay you costs

 

[Vintageguy]

One additional thing I thought of was when I checked about my health insurance and found out that my policy actually covers world wide, they sent a letter to me stating that and advised I include it in the documents that I traveled with. I still bought insurance for additional evacuation coverage even though mine had coverage because frankly it was just too inexpensive not to and I really don’t care to worry about it.

 

[Rhino83]

Thank you everyone for the input. It’s greatly appreciated!