Claim example - Travel Underwriters

Hello,

The human touch can transform an insurance product from cold and impersonal to necessary and real. Claims examples are a way to prove our point and demonstrate the importance of travel insurance, as you can see from this true story:

A 59-year-old was driving on an icy stretch of road in northern California when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into an embankment at 90 km/h. He sustained numerous injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital where he underwent several emergency surgeries. He then spent nine days recovering before being discharged.

Ambulance $2,200.00

Hospital Fee $348,563.27

Doctor's Fee   $26,593.88

Auto Insurance Contribution - $157,000.00

Provincial Medical Plan Contribution - $3,345.42

Total Out-of-pocket Cost $217,011.73


"What if this happened to me? What would I have done? Could I afford to pay for these medical expenses on my own?" These are questions you will inevitably ask yourself, and we will help you understand the true value and importance of travel insurance.

Please feel free to contact us by phone or email and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Bridges International Insurance Services
Toll free 1-888-267-4461
E-mail: info@biis.ca

Hello

Hello

Know Your Health and Your Policy When Travelling

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 21, 2012) - With more than half
(52 per cent)* of Canadians intending to take a vacation outside the
country this winter, it's important for travellers to be aware that
provincial health insurance pays only a small portion of out-of-country
medical expenses.

"It's necessary to have private travel insurance to be fully protected
against unexpected medical emergencies encountered during foreign or
inter-provincial travel," says Martha Turnbull, past president of the
Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA).

A registered nurse, as well as a travel insurance professional, Ms.
Turnbull cautions travellers that although travel insurance plans have
generous benefits, they have exclusions and limitations, and it's especially
important to know the state of one's own health when buying insurance.


Ms. Turnbull suggests the following guidelines for travellers assessing
and buying travel insurance.

Know your own health:

Know what conditions your doctor is treating you for, what medications
you have been prescribed, if and when changes have been made to your
medications (your pharmacist can help).

Ask for the results of any investigations, tests, specialists' findings
or why you are being referred to a specialist.

If you have any unanswered questions about your health, ask your doctor
to review your medical records with you.

Understand your insurance travel medical insurance policy:

Since every insurer has different approaches to covering pre-existing
conditions, it's critical to read and understand the benefits, exclusions,
limitations, eligibility, and especially pre-existing conditions.

Understand key definitions such as: stable, controlled, treatment,
emergency.

Understand the definition of pre-existing condition because policies
vary among insurers. Some policies may cover pre-existing conditions
that are considered stable and controlled for a specific period (such
as 90 days) prior to departure or booking date (which applies to trip
cancellation & trip interruption coverage). Some may not cover any
pre-existing or related condition, so understand how this applies to
you.

When completing the travel insurance policy medical questionnaire,
take your time. Read it well. If you have any questions, contact the
issuing insurance company for clarification and don't hesitate to ask
your doctor for help or for access to your medical records.

DO NOT minimize your health status to get a lower premium. Inaccurate
or incomplete answers could invalidate your claim and leave you stuck
with the bill.

When insuring travel arrangements for trip cancellation or interruption
benefits:

Book your travel insurance as soon as you place a deposit on your trip
and try to purchase your travel using a major credit card. If the travel
supplier goes out of business or suspends operations, you may be
able to recover some of your costs through the credit card company.
Travel insurers do not cover financial solvency of airlines, cruise
lines or other travel suppliers.

If there is a change in your health or medication, or if you are referred
for tests or to a specialist, contact your insurance company to determine
if this could result in any changes to your coverage.

If you're awaiting test results, a referral to a specialist, or a decision
on surgery, but want to book travel, consider it very carefully - it
may be better to delay your travel until after you are stable and
have recovered. Adds Ms. Turnbull: "Travel insurance plans are offered
by many different insurance companies in Canada and as such there are
many coverage, price and benefit options available. "To make the best
choice, you need to be informed and understand your insurance.

About THIA. THIA is the national organization representing travel insurers,
brokers, underwriters, re-insurers, emergency assistance companies,
air ambulance companies and allied services in the travel insurance
field.

Peace of mind for parents when their kids venture out alone

Parents can’t always be there to protect their children. We know. So whether they’re headed to Europe or Australia, your children under 30 need travel insurance that can help do the job. TIC’s Youth Adventure plan offers a terrific package with coverage for longer trips that also caters to their unique needs.

Features and benefits include:

• Emergency Hospital & Medical protection: $5 million
• Protection for up to 365 days of coverage
• Trip interruption: $1,500
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment: $10,000
• Baggage $500
• Competitive pricing with premiums starting at just $27 for 1-16 days of coverage

Ensure your children plan right for adventure with travel insurance from TIC.

For more information, contact BIIS  at 1-888-267-4461

Canadians taking expensive risk by not buying travel insurance: BMO Insurance study

Canadians who vacation without travel insurance are taking an expensive risk that they won’t be sick or injured while away.

Findings from BMO Insurace’s online Summer Travel Insurance Study, conducted last month by Pollara and involving a random sample of 1,000 Canadian adults, show that extra medical costs could put a damper on the fun.

Costs related to breaking a leg while travelling in the United States could run as high as $20,000, and treatment for decompression sickness in Thailand can be as much as $40,000, notes a statement from BMO Insurance.

“While Canadians can sometimes be covered under the terms of their credit card or workplace healthcare plan, they need to be certain that the correct insurance is in place given the high cost of medical services that can be incurred while away from home,” says Julie Barker-Merz, vice president and chief operating officer of BMO Insurance.

Forty per cent of respondents reported that, at some point in their lives while traveling, either they required medical attention or a travel companion did.

That situation is not a good fit with the study’s other findings, including that six in 10 respondents do not regularly purchase travel insurance before traveling. Only half knew that those travelling outside of Canada without medical insurance are responsible for covering the vast majority of medical expenses themselves.

“Just like packing sunscreen and cancelling the newspaper before leaving home, making sure you have travel medical insurance should be a high priority item on any traveller’s ‘vacation to-do list’,” Barker-Merz says.

BMO Insurance advises those selecting a travel insurance policy to:

• get enough insurance (including for medical and dental coverage, air ambulance and airfare and lodging expenses for a family member);
• understand who pays (a traveller may need to pay for medical care up front); and
• read the fine print (ensure any issues are clarified with the insurer before leaving home) 

News from Canadian Underwriter.ca  July, 5, 2012

Travel Insurance Quote for Canadians.

Hello from Pacific Blue Cross Plan

Dear Friends,

Remind your family and friends of the importance of travel insurance for the upcoming summer season.  The general thought the public has is that they won't need insurance for a trip within Canada, or across the border for shopping.  This is not true as a medical emergency can occur at anytime and the provincial MSP portion offers minimal coverage.  Pacific Blue Cross plans offer affordable protection for the entire family through a 15 day Annual Multi Trip with a rate as low as $104 and $132 for the 30 day.  Also remember Pacific Blue Cross does not apply any surcharges to individuals travelling to the United States as we've got one rate that covers the world.

Furthermore, make your family and friends aware of the Visitor To Canada Plan which offers protection for their friends and family visiting from abroad.  A quick visit to the emergency room can result in a hefty bill.  For example one of the Vancouver area hospitals charge $825 just to be admitted.  Pacific Blue Cross plans will offer your family and friends coverage up to $500,000 and carry no deductibles with the claims being paid directly when offered by the medical provider.

If you, your family or friends have any inquires regarding the above plans or any of Pacific Blue Cross's other various emergency medical plans please do not hesitate to contact us at 604-813-9038 or toll free 1-888-267-4461 also Please e-mail us (info@biis.ca)

 Have yourselves a great summer!

Five Typical Travel Insurance Misconceptions.

Purchasing vacation insurance strategy policy protection is practical when planning a beach vacation or going off on a cruise. But do you really need insurance strategy policy protection protect that family ski trip or Costa Rica getaway? Journey insurance strategy policy protection strategy typically protects the cost of trip interruptions and cancellations, loss of luggage, and transport to medical features in the event of an accident. However, your homeowners or auto insurance strategy policy protection strategy may already protect a lot of these extra expenses. Make sure you’re not buying vacation insurance strategy policy protection for protection you already have. Here are five common ill-informed values about travel insurance.

1. Immediate situation healthcare care therapy is engaged. While most holiday insurance provides consist of wellness security, many require you to buy urgent situation healthcare care therapy security as additional security. If you need to be visited home because of a serious illness or damage, or need urgent situation healthcare care at a hospital while overseas, this type of security will help with the costs. Without it, you could be looking at thousands and thousands in hospital costs. Consider buying this on top of journey security when you are viewing overseas or to a place where you might be susceptible to becoming seriously ill. Check with your present insurance coverage company to see if urgent situation circumstances while viewing are engaged in your strategy.

2. Having trip security with a credit ratings card is sufficient. Some trip rewards credit ratings cards and regular credit ratings cards offer trip security as However, most do not provide the full extent of security as a standard trip cover program. If you are heading to a high-risk destination or traveling to airports in remote locations, make sure your credit ratings card trip cover program incorporates lost baggage security, trip cancellation security, and other basics. In many cases, you will need to buy extended security to make sure you are fully protected for the entire trip. Don’t rely solely on credit ratings cards for trip security because you may end up being billed for some of the larger expenses.

3. Trip secure does not secure professional commercial airline holding out. Many people are under the effect that it’s the airline’s responsibility to secure the cost associated with holding out. Air providers will not compensation your money in the event of an overdue journey but they can help you rebook. If you have travel cover security, you will be returned for expenditures associated with holding out. This usually contains rebuking fees and, in some cases, a hotel stays if you have to maintain the same city instantly.

Some will only secure expenditures after 12 hours of the wait while others are nicer with security. Recommendations change by insurance coverage Security Company, so read the circumstances of your insurance coverage security program to confirm that holding out is secured. Keep in mind that professional air passage may secure the cost of a hotel stay and other delay-related expenditures for a certain window of time after the wait as well. Check with the professional commercial airline when organizing your way to confirm what type of security all tourists have.

4. You don’t need car hire damage security. Even though you might have some security for car rentals through your regular automobile plan policy company, your plan policy costs will go up when you file that announce. Buying extended security for car hire damage through your travel cover company means less hassle when filing a announce, and no changes to your regular automobile plan policy costs. Consider adding this supplementary security to your trip security plans–especially if you’re going on a long journey or driving through new areas in a lease vehicle.

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