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Old 09-12-2016, 19:45
wacky joe
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I have travelled to Europe quite frequently with standard family travel insurance,is the insurance any different when going to USA.
Thanks
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Old 09-12-2016, 19:48
dearmrman
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Yes it is usually more expensive.
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Old 09-12-2016, 21:01
Lou Kelly
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Choose "worldwide" instead of Europe (obv) and yes it's more expensive. You may want to look into getting a yearly policy instead of a single trip if going there more than once in a year.

European travel insurance will not cover you in the USA.

Don't be tempted to travel without insurance, the medical bills can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
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Old 09-12-2016, 21:16
dearmrman
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Choose "worldwide" instead of Europe (obv) and yes it's more expensive. You may want to look into getting a yearly policy instead of a single trip if going there more than once in a year.

European travel insurance will not cover you in the USA.

Don't be tempted to travel without insurance, the medical bills can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
Be careful with just choosing Worldwide, you need to make sure it's Worldwide incl USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Just use a comparison site, and make sure the policy suits your needs, you will need at least £1 million of medical cover...though these days most start at £5 million.
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Old 09-12-2016, 21:48
1965Wolf
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Check how much dental cover you get- very often only a small amount is covered.
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Old 09-12-2016, 22:41
Toby LaRhone
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Check how much dental cover you get- very often only a small amount is covered.
I always take a spare set.
Saves a few quid.
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Old 09-12-2016, 23:20
LostFool
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Be careful with just choosing Worldwide, you need to make sure it's Worldwide incl USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Just use a comparison site, and make sure the policy suits your needs, you will need at least £1 million of medical cover...though these days most start at £5 million.
Don't forget to exclude winter sports if you aren't going to go skiing etc as that will save a significant amount of money.
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Old 10-12-2016, 14:05
MTUK1
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Be careful with just choosing Worldwide, you need to make sure it's Worldwide incl USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Just use a comparison site, and make sure the policy suits your needs, you will need at least £1 million of medical cover...though these days most start at £5 million.
With the cost of healthcare in the US, £1m is peanuts. I'd look for a policy with £10m at a minimum.
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Old 10-12-2016, 17:48
dearmrman
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With the cost of healthcare in the US, £1m is peanuts. I'd look for a policy with £10m at a minimum.
You think? Not sure what the current state of play is but only about 3-4 years ago the highest ever claim for medical expenses via an insurance policy was just under £900,000...and that wasn't in the US....so a million should be enough, but most now start at £5 million anyway which is more than enough.
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Old 10-12-2016, 22:16
MTUK1
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You think? Not sure what the current state of play is but only about 3-4 years ago the highest ever claim for medical expenses via an insurance policy was just under £900,000...and that wasn't in the US....so a million should be enough, but most now start at £5 million anyway which is more than enough.
Where did you get that figure from? I'd be surprised if it were that low. The US is a country where they charge you for using a tissue while you're in hospital. Treatment for some conditions is increadibly expensive. It's the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US.
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Old 10-12-2016, 22:36
dearmrman
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Where did you get that figure from? I'd be surprised if it were that low. The US is a country where they charge you for using a tissue while you're in hospital. Treatment for some conditions is increadibly expensive. It's the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US.
The figure came from something to do with the FSA in having to sell insurance, and making sure various policies fitted peoples needs. It involved airlifting someone from a remote part of the world...I think it was one of the South Pacific Islands in order for them to receive urgent medical attention.

The figure stuck with me more, because I thought it would be higher as well...but it was to highlight the fact about some companies offering high figures of medical cover when it didn't need to be, and consumers glossing over other parts of the policy.

It was a few years ago, so it might have changed since then...also the other thing as well it might have been the highest claim from someone in the UK.

But most polices start at £5 million these days and that is more than enough.
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Old 10-12-2016, 23:14
davidmcn
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Where did you get that figure from? I'd be surprised if it were that low. The US is a country where they charge you for using a tissue while you're in hospital. Treatment for some conditions is increadibly expensive. It's the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US.
Yes, but in worst case scenario, travel insurance only needs to cover treating acute problems and getting you back home (where the NHS can take over if necessary), not the sort of chronic conditions which residents might need to deal with.
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Old 11-12-2016, 10:06
dearmrman
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Where did you get that figure from? I'd be surprised if it were that low. The US is a country where they charge you for using a tissue while you're in hospital. Treatment for some conditions is increadibly expensive. It's the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US.
Actually according to this site...the highest claim is a lot less than I said at only £148,000 which was for Canada.

https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/tr...eatment-abroad
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Old 12-12-2016, 23:35
MTUK1
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Actually according to this site...the highest claim is a lot less than I said at only £148,000 which was for Canada.

https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/tr...eatment-abroad
Again, that's probably that specific company. I'd be very surprised if a claim was that low. What about someone who is run over or something? They can't be flown home easily. A few months stay in hospital plus recuperation could run into millions in the US.
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