Travel insurance - really needed?

galah

Hi all,

couldn't find anything in the search, so here's a question for you:

Is travel insurance *really* necessary?

We're going to the US for two weeks, health-wise we're covered by our Bupa/VHI policies (that was my main concern). We've booked a few individual flights and are staying with friends in different places.

So is travel insurance really necessary?

What are the advantages, and if something happens, would it really be easy to get the insurance to refund claims? Aren't there a lot of stipulations, rules, regulations etc that would make insurance almost unnecessary cause you wouldnt be paid anyway or spend a lot of time making your claims?

To be honest, I've never bothered with insurance, but the boyfriend is a bit antsy about that, so I wonder if we should actually spend the 50 quid or whatever it is...

Any ideas, opinions, tales?

Loadedscream

galah wrote:

Hi all,

couldn't find anything in the search, so here's a question for you:

Is travel insurance *really* necessary?

We're going to the US for two weeks, health-wise we're covered by our Bupa/VHI policies (that was my main concern). We've booked a few individual flights and are staying with friends in different places.

So is travel insurance really necessary?

What are the advantages, and if something happens, would it really be easy to get the insurance to refund claims? Aren't there a lot of stipulations, rules, regulations etc that would make insurance almost unnecessary cause you wouldnt be paid anyway or spend a lot of time making your claims?

To be honest, I've never bothered with insurance, but the boyfriend is a bit antsy about that, so I wonder if we should actually spend the 50 quid or whatever it is...

Any ideas, opinions, tales?

Your BUPA/VHI policy cover very little in the USA, up to a maximum of about 20-50k i think, which if something serious happens is nothing in the US, a travel insurance policy covers about $2 million. worth getting IMO

mikedragon32

If you have VHI why not get their annual travel insurance?

I'd never leave the country without insurance. Just think how much it cost to get an air ambulance home or if you need extra seats on a flight due to an injury.

It seems crazy to me that people with spend thousands on a holiday and then scrimp of €50 or €60 for insurance.

galah

mikedragon32 wrote:

If you have VHI why not get their annual travel insurance?

I'd never leave the country without insurance. Just think how much it cost to get an air ambulance home or if you need extra seats on a flight due to an injury.

It seems crazy to me that people with spend thousands on a holiday and then scrimp of €50 or €60 for insurance.

See, that's the thing - I have health insurance, I'm just wondering about all the other stuff (baggage insurance and all that) - and I'm not sure if it's worth it, since there are so many restrictions and stuff...(and to be honest, if I have the misfortune of being sick, the last thing I'd want is an airlift back to Ireland to be treated here)

mikedragon32

galah wrote:

See, that's the thing - I have health insurance, I'm just wondering about all the other stuff (baggage insurance and all that) - and I'm not sure if it's worth it, since there are so many restrictions and stuff...(and to be honest, if I have the misfortune of being sick, the last thing I'd want is an airlift back to Ireland to be treated here)

With only your VHI in the States, all your coverage will get you is admission to a hospital, some painkillers/antibiotics and a night or two in a ward.

I've heard of bills in excess of $30,000 for treatment for fractures.

Health stuff aside. Let's say VHI covers the cost of treatment for injuries recieved in an accident, what about if you're forced to miss flights because of the accident? VHI won't cover that. Accomodation for your partner while you're being treated? Nope.

What if your bags are stolen? What if your bereaved while on holidays and have to come home early?

There are any number of things that can happen while you're abroad that aren't health related and that justify the insurance. While I've never had to make a claim from travel insurance (touch wood), my parents have had to make claims on two of their last three holidays for stolen property.

If you choose not to get insurance, I hope you come back to justify your €50 saving. Personally I'd much rather be out that much a year (or €1 per week to put it into perspective) just in case I ever get landed with a bill to replace my camera while travelling. Peace of mind is included in the price!

BuffyBot

I personally wouldn't go anywhere outside Ireland/UK without Travel Insurance. Especially to the US!

galah

Thanks for all your input - it was just what I needed to hear!

and it's not about scrimping 50 Euros (at this point, that's peanuts compared to the cost of the holiday :rolleyes: ) - I was just concerned that you get the insurance, something happens, and you are just as bad off as without insurance, because of policy details (insurance companies, unfortunately, are no charities...)

That's why...Will look into it further now, still have a week left to think about it..;-)