Steve, I think you have the greatest website and service. I am ready to discuss and purchase a policy from you. I just have one more question: Are there any restrictions on who we can use if something unexpected happens medically prior to leaving on a trip and we need to see a doctor? The vast majority of our doctors are close relatives and we trust their advice. Nancy K.
Nancy asks a very good question. This is one of those “devil in the details” areas that I know causes problems. Over the last 13 years, I’ve spoken with people who didn’t get their insurance from us, but later when have claim problems they call me asking for my help. {To my competitors who read my blog (you know who you are): No matter what you do to make a sale, you are morally obligated to help them with their claims. It’s sleazy to say on your websites: “the links take you to your travel insurance provider’s claim information.”}
Here’s what I told Nancy:
“Hi Nancy, Thank you for your kind words. I hope you still like me after my answer. 🙂
Yes, there are restrictions on what doctor or medical professional you see in person. Here’s what a typical policy says: “Legally Qualified Physician” means a physician or a Christian Science Practitioner (a) other than You, a Traveling Companion or a Family Member: (b) practicing within the scope of Your license: and (c) recognized as a physician in the place where the services are rendered.
As much as I enjoy selling trip cancellation travel insurance, I cannot advise you to buy it for this trip because your claim will be denied should you see a doctor who is a close relative. While it’s possible this fact won’t be discovered by the insurance company, I don’t even want there to be a hint of potential insurance fraud.”
Nancy wrote me:
“Thanks Steve. The doctor provision is extremely problematic. I realize we have a very unusual situation in that the vast majority of our doctors are close relatives (siblings or offspring). The only way to get around it is to buy the Cancel For Any Reason plan, which given the economics, turns out to be the same exact cost ($377 plus 25% of prepaid costs) that it would cost us just to pay the change fee with the airlines and forfeit one night at the hotel. Moreover, we can cancel hotel up to 24 hours before reservation without losing anything. We are just going to have to stay healthy and go on this trip.
I really appreciate your time and effort and will highly recommend you to others. Nancy”
Why are there so many denied travel insurance claims? I (Steve) firmly believe that the majority of denied claims are because the insured travelers either received the wrong advice prior to purchase or that they were sold the wrong policy by an uninformed travel insurance seller. You get our help with claims. We have never had a legitimate claim turned down from any of our companies since we started in 2001. We even help you if you didn’t buy from us.
I don’t have a hollow guarantee like a “No Complaint Policy”. The truth is that not all travel insurance claims are paid to a customer’s satisfaction. Sometimes the travel insurance company makes a mistake (I have gotten these resolved), but other times it’s not a payable claim.
A big part of that is that we go to great lengths to educate you. If travel insurance isn’t a good idea for you to buy it, we will tell you not to buy it, If you insist, we will refuse to sell it to you (like I told Nancy).
Before you start to whine about having to do all that work, ask yourself “When was the last time my travel agent or a company who sold me travel insurance gave me any service after they had my money?”
all out.
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I hope this makes sense.
And, if you have any questions about travel insurance, call us Toll-Free at 1-888-407-3854 or email Steve (me), The Travel Insurance Guru, here or using steve [at] tripinsurancestore dot com.
I hope this makes sense. If you want the right travel insurance advice, call us at 1-888-407-3854 and we'll help you figure it all out.
Now, a word from our sponsor: TripInsuranceStore.com (Travel Forums' Most Recommended Travel Insurance Website)
- Save your time & money with 9 pre-screened companies (you don't need 100+ travel or cruise insurance plans).
- You get personalized service at 1-888-407-3854. Or email us.
- Do you want a relationship with your travel insurance supplier? If so, you'll fit right in. If you'd rather not get to know us, you'll still find everything you need to get the right travel insurance plan.
- Get side-by-side plan & price comparisons
- You get our exclusive Smile of Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee
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