Travel/Medical Insurance while traveling

[goks]

I'm backpacking through Asia/Australia/New Zealand for about 5 months. I leave in about 5 days (Feb 27).

I want to get some Medical/Travel insurance but there are SO MANY options...
- CIBC
- PCF
- ING
- AMEX
- Flight Centre
- Travel Cuts

Do you guys have any suggestions for what is good/bad about these places?
What's a reasonable price to pay? I've gotten quotes anywhere from $250 (PCF) up to $500 (CIBC)

Anything that I MUST look for when getting insurance?

Do some of them just pay for whatever you need and then ask you to pay them after? Or do they all expect you to pay and then submit receipts?

Thanks.

[sportsfan99]

You have to pay up front your best bet is bluecross.

[FastFokker]

Since you leave in 5days, hurry up and pick one.

Likely the one of the cheapest with the most coverage, and particularly a name you have heard of before.

[palumbo]

i just go through my bank usualy like less then 30 bucks a good investment if u think of the possibilities

[AnnaBanana]

Remember one important thing - the extra free that you may pay for lost luggage compensation *usually* only applies if the airline loses the luggage on the WAY to your destination, not on the way back.

We flew to NZ last year, and Air Canada lost our luggage somewhere along the way coming back, and we were not eligeable for any kind of compensation...

Just something to consider when looking at all the available "extras"...

A.B.

[Princess Buttercup]

the royal bank has great coverage and its cheap and you only have to go into a branch to get it.

They pay up too. If you have a accident, even when the bill is US for thousands and thousands of $ for emergency surgery on a Sunday in a private facility.

[goks]

i went with TravelCuts (Bon Voyage) package which turned out to be quite a good deal and included medical (up to $1,000,000), baggage (up to $800) and trip interuption.

thanks for the suggestions.

some lessons learned in my research today:
1. make sure you ask about the deductible
2. make sure you ask about payment methods (whether you have to pay first, or if they will cover it, etc) - it will vary depending on a "small" vs. "big" claim
3. the banks generally seem quite expensive although RBC was quite a thorough plan at $290 for the 137 days of my trip
4. Travel Cuts (Bon Voyage) sells their own insurance and the RBC stuff. Incidentally, they quoted me the EXACT same amount ($290) for the RBC quote but I went with the Bon Voyage Plan A for $301.23 which gave me everything the RBC quote gave (except $1,000,000 vs. Unlimited) and it also gave me baggage and trip interuption.

PM me if you have other questions.
Thanks.

[Pavel]

Most don't cover you for a pre-existing condition if it gets worse while you're on holidays. Also, some will reimburse you at the currency rate on the date of accident or illness while others will reimburse at the rate when you submit your claim.

Also, some require the doctor in the foreign country to complete the form (unlikely).

[gleberental]

check out your local credit union.
...they seem to have good rates, and will email you everything you need to carry with you
...but not sure if you have to already be a member.

cheers,
michael

[rb]

I have coverage thru my credit card (lots of gold cards offer it ) - I have CIBC platinum Visa ...good deal if you travel abroad a bit

[Big Shooter]

RBC has an option that is good for a FULL year...
...only provision is that you are limited to the number of consecutive days you stay...great for those of us who travel to the USA frequently and for cross-border visits/shopping, something that almost EVERYONE I know, NEVER thinks of!!!!