• 24
  Aug
  2009

• Individual Health Insurance Policies vs a Combined Policy

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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There are times when visitor’s insurance needs to be bought for more than one person travelling together. There is an option to buy a combined policy for the entire group or an individual policy for each member of the group. Which one should be preferred?

A group policy offers some benefits if the number of people constituting the group is large. Since the risk gets distributed, a better premium can be expected. It also provides the additional benefit of a single policy number and a more centralized approach to seeking claims and receiving benefits.

But if the group has less than four people, it doesn’t make much difference in terms of the policy premium. So, it might seem to make no difference one way or the other. Right? Maybe not!

There are a few significant benefits of buying individual policies.
Cancellations, renewals and extensions for an individual are far simpler than updating the combined policy.
Visitors might be travelling to a certain place at the same time, but might be returning on different dates. In that case, it makes more sense to have separate policies. Plans might change unexpectedly mid-way too.

So, it might be a good idea to actually prefer separate policies over the combined option in most cases. Do consider all these before making a decision.

• 21
  Aug
  2009

• Ensuring a safe visit for your family

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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With more and more Indian, Chinese and Hispanic professionals working in the USA, it has become a common occurrence to see their parents visiting them. Usually parents visit their children in the USA for a period of three to six months.

It is a great feeling for those working abroad to have their parents visit them. Going around the country, visiting some really great places, experiencing a whole new culture, trying a variety of cuisines, and so much more.

It is important to take some precautions during this period of travel and stay to make it more memorable.

1. Make sure that the to-and-fro journey is covered with travel insurance.
2. In case this is their first journey abroad, explain about the importance of keeping passport, visa and other important documents handy and safe at all times.
3. Make sure that parents are aware about all necessary documents and how they need to be filled.
4. If they will be driving in the country, it is necessary to have a valid international driver’s license. Never take a chance of driving without one.
5. Plan their stay well in advance and make sure they visit and enjoy the best of USA, and return with fond memories of the place.
6. Once they arrive, do get medical insurance coverage for your parents which covers the entire period of stay.

• 20
  Aug
  2009

• How to select a Trip Cancellation Insurance Policy?

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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Having to cancel either a long-planned vacation or a hurriedly scheduled trip is always sad. There might be some unforeseen situation that takes precedence over whatever the reason was for the travel. Or the situation might be totally out of your control, e.g. an airline strike, a natural disaster or a terrorist attack at either the point of departure or at the destination. Trip cancellation is, sometimes, an unavoidable fact.

But, should one suffer financially as well? Not really, if coverage is sought for such unforeseen situations. Trip cancellation insurance comes to your help. But, some factors need to be considered before buying a policy.

1. Check what all reasons of cancellation that matter to you are covered. Most policies cover events like airline strike, hijack, terrorist attack too.
2. The term “health problems” may have different meanings in different policies. Most policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Make sure you get what you are paying for.
3. Understand the definition of broad words like “unforeseen”, “companion” and “close family member” according to the policy
4. Check exact expiration date and time
5. Make sure the entire trip, including return trip, is covered. Sure that is the whole point of the policy, but some tourists make this mistake and insure only the onward journey.

And, hey… Bon voyage…

• 18
  Aug
  2009

• Sea Travel Insurance

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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Getting sick at sea is pretty common and if you are on a cruise holiday that’s what you would be hoping against. Other than general sea-sickness, the most publicized at-sea ailment is norovirus, a stomach flu that can spread quickly. To avoid that, cruise lines have instituted comprehensive cleaning policies. While ship doctors can treat minor illnesses such as seasickness, colds, norovirus and broken bones, they cannot handle serious illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes.

Evacuations may take place at the next port of call, or in life-or-death cases, the afflicted person may be taken off the ship by helicopter. Medical evacuation is expensive and is not covered by ordinary health insurance. From a cruise ship in the Caribbean to a city in the United States, the cost may run $10,000-$15,000 or more. From remote locales or in particularly complicated cases, the cost can exceed $100,000. That’s why travel insurance that offers evacuation coverage is a good idea.

Passengers should choose their travel insurance carefully. Make sure payment limits are sufficient to satisfy possible costs. Know that Medicare and some other health plans do not cover medical treatment out of the country. Be sure your policy covers problems incurred ashore as well as on board.

So the next time you plan a vacation on the cruise and plan to take your family for scuba diving you might want to read the terms of your family’s insurance coverage to ensure all goes well.