MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

[steve.garlick]

Okay, so after giving us a quote, Pantaenius has just refused us health cover because we are Australian?.

Are there more suggestions for insurance underwriters, preferably Northern European rather than American.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by steve.garlick

. . . Are there more suggestions for insurance underwriters, preferably Northern European rather than American.

For international medical insurance suggestions, see post #2 in this thread.

[steve.garlick]

Thanks Osiris, but we've checked out all those companies. They are American and they cost about 10 times more than the Pantaenius coverage.

We might choose to exclude coverage in the US (even though we intend to head there in about 4 years), just to reduce the cost of coverage.

It looks like the Pantaenius coverage was a good deal at E 1560. Now I'm curious why they refused us?

[Mexdon]

steve.garlick, Have you looked at BUPA?

This is a link to their internatioal website.

International health insurance plans | Bupa International

I will be using them. I am a kiwi and live in Mexico.

[Bill Shuman]

We are about to go cruising (from the US) and we signed up for the US Sailing health insurance. It was about $870 for both of us (signed up as individual policies). It seems to be great coverage and is definitely an international policy. In fact, you must be out of the US for at least 3 months each year. Go to:
http://membership.ussailing.org/Asse...Enrollment.pdf
for more info. It's also a group coverage just like job coverage. That mneans there is no underwriting, no exam, no pre-existing conditions (assuming you currently have health insurance). Our COBRA was going to be several hundred dollars more each month.
-Bill

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by Bill Shuman

We are about to go cruising (from the US) and we signed up for the US Sailing health insurance. It was about $870 for both of us (signed up as individual policies). It seems to be great coverage and is definitely an international policy. In fact, you must be out of the US for at least 3 months each year. Go to:
http://membership.ussailing.org/Asse...Enrollment.pdf
for more info. It's also a group coverage just like job coverage. That mneans there is no underwriting, no exam, no pre-existing conditions (assuming you currently have health insurance). Our COBRA was going to be several hundred dollars more each month.
-Bill

Bill this seems to be for US citizens only and members of Sailing US. Steve.garlick stated he was Australian and this was the reason he was declined by Pantaenius, however for US citizens it looks like a first class deal. Do you know if I am wrong here?

[s/v Jedi]

Around the Caribbean I would be worried about medical care in most countries. What we have seen in Colombia and Panama is very good though, and we've quiet a bit of it in Panama. A consult with a specialist of 1 hour costs $40 in a private clinic. Emergency help free in public hospitals but those are 3rd world mostly... although the same specialists work there two days a week (they must).

Dentist in Colombia was high tech. 70% of woman have the boob job done so that is above normal 3rd world too.

ciao!
Nick.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

DAN seems almost too good to be true? DO you need additional health coverage on top of their policy? Their medical evacuation plan is very good.

I down loaded the application. Read it. THe questions asked, if answered honestly, will probably eliminate most anyone over 50 due to some pre-existing condition. If you haven't figured it out yet, over 50 - we all have something.

[NorthPacific]

Originally Posted by Mexdon

steve.garlick, Have you looked at BUPA?

This is a link to their internatioal website.

International health insurance plans | Bupa International

I will be using them. I am a kiwi and live in Mexico.

When I looked they limit the time away to 1 year! I have found out that I can have my BC health plan cover me, for up to 2 years absence. My Thai Mrs will have to buy it however.

[Bill Shuman]

Mexdon,
You would think it's only for US citizens but I couldn't find that on their web site. As far as joining US Sailing, if you look at the PDF I linked to it lists who can qualify for coverage. One of those is sailors cruising internationally. You should call or email Rick Bagnall (info on the PDF). He will quickly answer uyour questions.
-Bill

Originally Posted by Mexdon

Bill this seems to be for US citizens only and members of Sailing US. Steve.garlick stated he was Australian and this was the reason he was declined by Pantaenius, however for US citizens it looks like a first class deal. Do you know if I am wrong here?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Bill Shuman

Mexdon,
You would think it's only for US citizens but I couldn't find that on their web site. As far as joining US Sailing, if you look at the PDF I linked to it lists who can qualify for coverage. One of those is sailors cruising internationally. You should call or email Rick Bagnall (info on the PDF). He will quickly answer uyour questions.
-Bill

Yes, it's surprising how many US institutions think the US is all there is. You even need a social security number for a Wal Mart savings card... how they dare to ask is beyond me but then again, feeling an outcast in those places is why we fit in to the cruiser scene so well. We all just have to cope with that other world for things like passports, insurance and banks.

Ask around for ex-pat insurance, it's what we have.

cheers,
Nick.

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by Bill Shuman

Mexdon,
You would think it's only for US citizens but I couldn't find that on their web site. As far as joining US Sailing, if you look at the PDF I linked to it lists who can qualify for coverage. One of those is sailors cruising internationally. You should call or email Rick Bagnall (info on the PDF). He will quickly answer uyour questions.
-Bill

Bill, thanks for this I will do as you suggest and post the response I get.

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Yes, it's surprising how many US institutions think the US is all there is. You even need a social security number for a Wal Mart savings card... how they dare to ask is beyond me but then again, feeling an outcast in those places is why we fit in to the cruiser scene so well. We all just have to cope with that other world for things like passports, insurance and banks.

Ask around for ex-pat insurance, it's what we have.

cheers,
Nick.

Nick, expat insurance was one of the reasons I suggested BUPA. I did not know about the one year away clause but I will probably bypass that as I need to fly home for business every now and again...Home being Mexico.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Mexdon

Nick, expat insurance was one of the reasons I suggested BUPA. I did not know about the one year away clause but I will probably bypass that as I need to fly home for business every now and again...Home being Mexico.

Well, we're Dutch ex-pats and have this insurance for 10 years now, so just ask the next one. Ex-pats are normally gone for more than a year, they are messing with you

cheers,
Nick.

[steve.garlick]

Hi all,

Did get a reply from Rick, and I can insure with US Sailing, but the cost is $480 per MONTH each. Whereas the Pantaenius cover was 1560 Euro per year. Huge difference.

Now, we are looking for non US insurance that excludes the US.