Author Topic: Travel Insurance - Access America ? (Read 6561 times)

sun365 · « **on:** May 26, 2011, 12:59:51 AM »

I purchased tickets on Continental to go from Seattle to Florida, and I was given an option to get Access America insurance. It seems this insures me if I get sick and miss my flight and some other things. But missing my flight is more likely than some of the other stuff included. I am wondering if anyone here has any experience or knowledge about this outfit, are they reliable, etc. ?
Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Dan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:01:32 AM »

Travel insurance is a scam...

aussiebochur · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:05:31 AM »

If not covered by your regular health insurance, couldn't a medical emergency C"V in a foreign country be quite pricey?

Quote from: Dan on May 26, 2011, 01:01:32 AM

Travel insurance is a scam...

Devorah · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:06:41 AM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on May 26, 2011, 01:05:31 AM

If not covered by your regular health insurance, couldn't a medical emergency C"V in a foreign country be quite pricey?

I assume he's not referring to the medical part of travel insurance, rather the kind that pays for your ticket etc. if something happens.

joey89 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:42:33 AM »

Quote from: Dan on May 26, 2011, 01:01:32 AM

Travel insurance is a scam...

I have had to use it in the past to cancel tix (hanholoh issues)and get refunded

sun365 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:14:38 PM »

Dan
>Travel insurance is a scam...
Why so?

sun365 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:16:19 PM »

Devorah,
True I was not talking about the medical part as I didn't notice it. But since I have insurance couldn't the medical part come in handy?

Side incomer · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:03:39 PM »

To all of you asking, I would definitely agree with Dan: "travel insurance is a scam" - I experienced that. You pay $100 or so, but when you want a refund on anything they make you sick with the hassle (so you'll have to buy another one to get healed

.
As of the medical part, you could go Amex for $9 a month, or $18 a month family plan. that was a way better experience for me. they pay up to $100,000 in medical coverage.
And for baggage protection you're covered by Amex as well, so why need travel insurance, when you don't use them at all, and even if you want you can't use them due to the big difficulties.

Devorah · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:14:54 PM »

Quote from: Side incomer on May 26, 2011, 02:03:39 PM

As of the medical part, you could go Amex for $9 a month, or $18 a month family plan. that was a way better experience for me. they pay up to $100,000 in medical coverage.

Do you have a link to get more info on this?

Side incomer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:31:31 PM »

Quote from: Devorah on May 26, 2011, 02:14:54 PM

Do you have a link to get more info on this?

I don't have the link but I do have the number:
1-800-297-2908.
Basically how it works, you must be an Amex cardmember. you subscribe, and your subscription will run automatically every month, so if you travel a lot it pays to be hooked up with this, since it's only $9 a month, and covers you every time you're 100 miles away from home (when you prove that your insurance won't pay for this). If you're seeking only a one tome option, you could cancel it right after you come home, and won't be charged more than $9 (or $18 for family plan - only one member must be a amex cardmember).
You get reimbursed for any charge by check on the full amount. They have an option of arranging them to pay directly, but I never used it.
I have a friend that charged his platinum for a operation he had overseas (with no foreign charges), costed him $60,000.00. got reimbursed in full (plus 60,000 points

.

Yosel · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2011, 04:44:59 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 26, 2011, 01:01:32 AM

Travel insurance is a scam...

this is a veru "SHARFA" statment to make, i have been traveling since 1979 on a steady basis, and i had to use the benefits of travel insurance and it worked.

i also know of a person that tried to do Shtick, got caught by the claims rep and did not get paid................. VD"L

sun365 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:35:38 PM »

I don't have Amex.

Devorah · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:16:25 PM »

Quote from: Side incomer on May 26, 2011, 02:31:31 PM

I don't have the link but I do have the number:
1-800-297-2908.
Basically how it works, you must be an Amex cardmember. you subscribe, and your subscription will run automatically every month, so if you travel a lot it pays to be hooked up with this, since it's only $9 a month, and covers you every time you're 100 miles away from home (when you prove that your insurance won't pay for this). If you're seeking only a one tome option, you could cancel it right after you come home, and won't be charged more than $9 (or $18 for family plan - only one member must be a amex cardmember).
You get reimbursed for any charge by check on the full amount. They have an option of arranging them to pay directly, but I never used it.
I have a friend that charged his platinum for a operation he had overseas (with no foreign charges), costed him $60,000.00. got reimbursed in full (plus 60,000 points .

Thanx. Is it only for emergencies or can it be used to go to a regular doctor etc?

Side incomer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:27:33 PM »

Quote from: Devorah on May 26, 2011, 07:16:25 PM

Thanx. Is it only for emergencies or can it be used to go to a regular doctor etc?

Even for regular doctor. used it recently for a visit to doctor with my daughter having fever. got back till the last cent.

Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:58:06 PM »

I've known many people that buy travel insurance and there's always some clause that somehow their claim gets denied even when they do get sick. Tons of loopholes are built into these things that make them super-profitable.

The bottom line is that you buy insurance (IMHO) for events that you can't afford to cover yourself, i.e. for something catastrophic. I laugh at the poor sap in best buy that takes out the extended warranty on an SD card...

Otherwise you self-insure, meaning you generally don't buy insurance and then even by the time that you would have had a use for insurance you're still ahead because you never paid for insurance premiums all the previous times.

Besides, even non-refundable airfare tickets can be canceled for a fee and you can get a credit, so is it really logical to insure? And with a Dr's. note they will usually even waive that fee. Plus hotels are usually very forgiving even when you cancel after the cancellation period.

Now if you're medical insurance doesn't cover overseas/out of state, then by all means go ahead and get that AMEX policy as that could potentially be catastrophic. But airfare? Meh...

MarkS · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2011, 11:15:46 PM »

I used Amex insurance for a few weeks when I went to Israel. Paid like $12 ($18 prorated) and ended up getting like $2000 reimbursement for stiches, an accident and a dentist visit!!

Dan · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2011, 11:17:37 PM »

Quote from: MarkS on May 26, 2011, 11:15:46 PM

I used Amex insurance for a few weeks when I went to Israel. Paid like $12 ($18 prorated) and ended up getting like $2000 reimbursement for stiches, an accident and a dentist visit!!

What happened?

MarkS · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2011, 11:21:28 PM »

Kid fell down a few steps and we got rear ended driving in Jerusalem.

It was the best $12 I ever spent!!

sun365 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2011, 12:27:02 AM »

Dan
I was only concerned with non-refundable airline tickets. You are saying that with a doctors note that they would refund it? Are there any other ways?

sun365 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2011, 12:29:23 AM »

Side incomer
Does anything relating to the trip need to be paid for using Amex?