Travel insurance etc

[savage flame]

Can anyone recommend a legitimate source for good travel insurance? preferably online but whatever.
Basically, I have done plenty of trips, Indo, Hawaii etc, but they have been 2-4 weeks each time.
I'm going to the North Shore from the 17th Feb - 3rd March, and then coming home. Then in May 25th heading to the US (basing myself in Cali) and then traveling around for 3-5 months.
Is it cheaper to get an annual plan, or to get two seperate plans? The lady at the place I went to said it would be about $280 for hawaii and roughly $1300 for the US. I'm no expert but I know thats ridiculous.
Also, according to her, it is cheaper to get 2 seperate plans. I would be getting the full Plan A medical cover (definitely need it in the US).

Also, is it hard to get the extended travel Visa for the US? Because apparently if you go for over 90 days, its not under the visa waiver program, and you need to apply for an extension through the government.

Cheers!

[caspian]

That's preposterous. $100 for Iceland and I'm here for a month. All I can suggest is to hit the google and call a few people up. I got mine through flight centre (who I booked my flights with, perhaps ask them). It would be cheaper than an annual plan, though. Why do you need a top o' the line medical plan, btw?

Also, you will absolutely need a visa and you oughta apply for it as soon as possible. Shouldn't be too hard (unless you got a criminal record or whatever) but it will take a while to process. Sounds like you have a rad trip coming up, I'll have a cold water wetsuit for sale if you want one

[lewy]

Try www.travel4less.com.au

[sundaytripz]

Totally didn't realise this was a question about insurance. Disregard my PM savage.

Go with Covermore - if casp went through flight centre then that's who he would have gone with as well. Most comprehensive and definitely the best company to have backing you when shit hits the fan.

Annuel plans cap out at 30-50 days so might not be worth you're time if you're looking at 3-5 months. As much as I hate to say it the 1.3 mark is farely spot on for a 5 month rip to the US. Medical costs over there are beyond stupid. Your best bet would be finding a plan that has similiar coverage to covermore and then getting a flight centre or student flights store to price beat it. I do it all the time when I travel and have saved up to $700 on plans.

Hope that helps

[caspian]

the other option is just say you're going to canada, buy travel insurance for there. Driving 16 hours with a broken leg would be a bit annoying, but think of how much money you could save! Plus you probably won't get sick

[savage flame]

Okay, so I looked online on the flight center website, and their travel insurance is through Covermore, which is good.
Their deals seem definitely the cheapest I've come across so far. I did the online quote which came up to $839 for the dates 25th May - 15th Sept (114 days) which is pretty decent.
Here's a picture for your viewing pleasure, obviously I'd go "Plan TI" for the US. Also, is it worth chucking money on the "amendment or cancelation costs" ?



Sundaytripz - does that sound about right?
Casp - haha, interesting theory you have there, sure would hate to break a leg in that regard. How much did your insurance cost all up for Iceland?

PS - if anyone knows how hard it is to get that extended travel visa (leisure, not working) for the US, because it's not under 90 days, that would be sick.
Apparently I have to schedule a meeting with the US embassy in Melbourne, not sure if its worth the effort for the extra few weeks.

[sundaytripz]

Looks about right Savage. I'll throw the dates into the agent website tomorrow at work (heaps lame - I'm back in Australia now :<) and see what I come back with.

Cancellation cover is pretty up in the air. 30% of claims made are about cancellation but if you're 99.99% that you're gonna go then I wouldn't bother. Maybe cover your flights if they're non-refundable but in terms of hotels and transfers etc you can cancel pretty close to the date and not suffer too much.

[pete]

So Covermore is the goods? I'm going to the US/Carribean for a couple of weeks in July and will have to suss it...

[doclach]

So Covermore is the goods? I'm going to the US/Carribean for a couple of weeks in July and will have to suss it...

pm me about your trip Pete....

[savage flame]

Depends where abouts you are going? Generally speaking if you are going to the United States, you're gonna want the top of the line medical (Plan A), as for everything else, they are all pretty similar in pricing. I've found where ever I have gone Covermore is probably the best option.

[pete]

Cool, cheers.

And will do Doc.

[lance]

try QBE i used them for my trip to pohnpei or just check online with your bank, i think my 2 wks in hawaii was $60 through westpac...