craw4d2003
New member
I am just wondering what long term travelers do about health insurance when off wandering for long periods of time, especially in the caribbean. Anyone got any advice.
Health Insurance
- Thread starter craw4d2003
- Start date
Das_Boot
New member
There is a company called SOS I think. We use them to insure our people working in that area. All it is, is a repatriation insurance so if you fall ill etc they will pay for hospitilization untill they can get you back to England you are then at the mercy of the NHS (not a bad thing). If you go anywhere near America the premium goes up quite a lot. Especialy if you have to be medi-vaced to the States. We use them even for guys working in Europe due to the minefield of various bi-latteral agreements between the states as to who is going to foot the bill. I have had guys medi-vaced from Holland to England. It is not expensive probably equivilent to holiday insurance.
TigaWave
New member
This may be out of date now (2003) but we found Planet Insurance (same as used by Sunsail at the time) and Endsleigh both offered good long term policies which included sailing.
£250-332 for 8 months.
£250-332 for 8 months.
jerryat
Active member
Hey Tigawave!
That's good news and useful info! We tried a few years ago before shoving off and the costs quoted were horrendous, and most companies weren't interested despite our having absolutely no problem medical history.
Presumably the premiums you mention are for each person, but does it cover the Caribbean/USA? In the end we took other long-term cruiser's advice (that it's a damn sight healthier way of life etc etc) and didn't bother. As it happens they were right and we never felt better, but as old age creeps onwards and we consider pushing off again, it's worth reviewing we think.
On the other hand, we do keep a fairly decent amount in an emergency fund that should deal with a lot of problems - except air repatriation and the like from the States - so may just go as before!!!
Cheers Jerry
That's good news and useful info! We tried a few years ago before shoving off and the costs quoted were horrendous, and most companies weren't interested despite our having absolutely no problem medical history.
Presumably the premiums you mention are for each person, but does it cover the Caribbean/USA? In the end we took other long-term cruiser's advice (that it's a damn sight healthier way of life etc etc) and didn't bother. As it happens they were right and we never felt better, but as old age creeps onwards and we consider pushing off again, it's worth reviewing we think.
On the other hand, we do keep a fairly decent amount in an emergency fund that should deal with a lot of problems - except air repatriation and the like from the States - so may just go as before!!!
Cheers Jerry
TigaWave
New member
It was per person but it did cover caribbean, I had to hunt around a bit to find them and read the small print, as many dont cover you sailing. But like you I never felt better....just one afternoon of heat exhaustion as I'd lost my hat and didn't have a bimini!
Must get back to work now....
Must get back to work now....
Das_Boot
New member
Try here there is an Engligh side to the company. I think it is called International SOS UK LTD
http://www.internationalsos.com/buymembership/index.cfm?theaffiliateid=1299
http://www.internationalsos.com/buymembership/index.cfm?theaffiliateid=1299
pmyatt
New member
Unless I have their web site incorrectly, even the comprehensive policy does not actually pay your medical expenses - they merely act as agent paying the bills with funds you or your family have provided. Would someone correct me if I am wrong.
Das_Boot
New member
On the right hand side of the site enter your home country and click get quote button.
Here is an example......
Medically Supervised Repatriation (IMPORTANT - Please refer to Exceptions point 2)
SOS will arrange and pay for the ordinary and necessary expenses to transport the member to his/her home country or country of assignment for subsequent in-patient hospitalization or rehabilitative treatment following a medical evacuation where the member is transported to a place outside his/her home country or country of assignment. SOS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether the member's medical condition is sufficiently serious to warrant medical evacuation, the location to which the member will be evacuated and the means or method by which such evacuation or repatriation will be carried out. In making such arrangements, SOS may consider all relevant circumstances including, but not limited to, the member's medical condition, the degree of urgency, the member's fitness to travel, airport availability, weather conditions and travel distance in determining whether transportation will be provided by private, medically-equipped aircraft, helicopter, regularly scheduled flight, rail or land vehicle. Transportation shall be carried out under constant medical supervision, unless otherwise approved by an SOS physician.
Here is an example......
Medically Supervised Repatriation (IMPORTANT - Please refer to Exceptions point 2)
SOS will arrange and pay for the ordinary and necessary expenses to transport the member to his/her home country or country of assignment for subsequent in-patient hospitalization or rehabilitative treatment following a medical evacuation where the member is transported to a place outside his/her home country or country of assignment. SOS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether the member's medical condition is sufficiently serious to warrant medical evacuation, the location to which the member will be evacuated and the means or method by which such evacuation or repatriation will be carried out. In making such arrangements, SOS may consider all relevant circumstances including, but not limited to, the member's medical condition, the degree of urgency, the member's fitness to travel, airport availability, weather conditions and travel distance in determining whether transportation will be provided by private, medically-equipped aircraft, helicopter, regularly scheduled flight, rail or land vehicle. Transportation shall be carried out under constant medical supervision, unless otherwise approved by an SOS physician.
Das_Boot
New member
Oh by the way if you are talking about SOS yes you do have it wrong.
Das_Boot
New member
Sorry it is on the left hand side of their web site,
pmyatt
New member
SOS seems to be an advice and evacuation service rather than a medical insurance policy. If you had an accident which did not merit evacuation I think you would be paying your own medical costs vi.s.vis the following:
Medical Expense Guarantee
SOS will guarantee and pay as agent for the member all costs associated with a member's in-patient or out-patient medical care subject to SOS first securing funds from the member or the member's family.
Medical Expense Guarantee
SOS will guarantee and pay as agent for the member all costs associated with a member's in-patient or out-patient medical care subject to SOS first securing funds from the member or the member's family.
Das_Boot
New member
The Extent to which you purchase the policy will determine the benfits. If you only purchase repatriation that is all you will get. We use them and have had people evacuated from just about every region of the world. It has not cost us a cent apart from the premiums. Unfortunatly we have had bodies repatriated and have not paid a cent. I have had someone repatriated where the plane was turned back mid air because his condition worsened and we did not pay a cent. We have had a man evacuated by a Saudi Aramco helicopter and received a $25000 bill which they took care of. If you are not sick enough they wont repatriate you but why would you want to be repatriated for some minor problem. You can purchace full medical cover as well. When building the extension of the Freeport harbour in Barbados we had to purchase full cover for all our men because the next stop was USA. We also purchase full cover for anyone over 60. It is a pay as you go insurance and a pay for the cover you get. Believe me It is my job to make sure my men are looked after without crippling the company with massive medical expenses and SOS have done a good job. As stated in the previous post the person without medical cover would not be left in the lurch they will act as agent this is only if you have no cover. Buy the cover and all will be taken care of including the bills. I have no conection with them they just do a good job.
mirabriani
New member
I can sympathise. You need to keep covered up.
I spent some days in St Maarten recently helping another forumite prep a boat to sail back.
It is ohh so easy to get too much sun on any exposed bits
I had factor 30 but occasionally failed to use it (greasy hands)
and paid the price. Poor old John got a bug and is still "under the weather" (or it could be sea sickness!) Even with insurance they expect you to pay and reclaim later.
It is worth obtaining the jabs too.
Fabulous time though!
Briani
I spent some days in St Maarten recently helping another forumite prep a boat to sail back.
It is ohh so easy to get too much sun on any exposed bits
I had factor 30 but occasionally failed to use it (greasy hands)
and paid the price. Poor old John got a bug and is still "under the weather" (or it could be sea sickness!) Even with insurance they expect you to pay and reclaim later.
It is worth obtaining the jabs too.
Fabulous time though!
Briani
craw4d2003
New member
Thanks to everyone for their replies. I will look into SOS, but your advice sounds ok, we will be keeping some money for emergencies and we are all very fit and healthy. When we lived in St Lucia and were unfortunate enough to have a car accident, we were give doctor and hospital treatment and didn't have to pay anything. So I assume it depends on what country you are in at the time. Are the BVI's covered by any type oh NHS system if you are ill whilst there and are British citizens?