Travel insurance

[Olddaddy]

I have a work colleague who is off to Bali for a few weeks 

He is in his 50's single and very stingy 🤑works all the overtime type guy who won't even buy a coffee ☕ and brings his packed lunch everyday 

I got talking to him about how expensive Travel insurance was particularly if I have to add my pre-existing condition of high blood pressure 💊

But I wouldn't dare go without it.🤨

Now I was shocked ( or not really )  when he said he will NOT be taking travel insurance , it's a waste of $$ he said and they won't pay etc 

Yes I agree , I hate paying it , I NEVER have used it 

I had a thought for a few minutes today NOT to bother taking out the policy for next week's trip , but ...who knows ...the moment I don't take it out is when something happens!!

Buy my work colleague Ron won't be taking it out on his Bali trip , too expensive he said , if anything goes wrong he will just pay cash .‼️

Well there's a thought to save money 🤑 🤑 💰 💰 💰 💰 💰 💰 

 

[Blah]

A friend of a friend contracted meningitus on a trip to the USA - after a long hosp stay, she was medi-vacced home, with a doctor.

If she hadn't had Travel Insurance, she would have lost her house to pay for the American medical care.

[UKRICK2026]

I wouldn't dare go anywhere without travel insurance. It's crazy thinking.

[UKRICK2026]

On 8/2/2026 at 9:49 AM, Olddaddy said:

I have a work colleague who is off to Bali for a few weeks 

He is in his 50's single and very stingy 🤑works all the overtime type guy who won't even buy a coffee ☕ and brings his packed lunch everyday 

I got talking to him about how expensive Travel insurance was particularly if I have to add my pre-existing condition of high blood pressure 💊

But I wouldn't dare go without it.🤨

Now I was shocked ( or not really )  when he said he will NOT be taking travel insurance , it's a waste of $$ he said and they won't pay etc 

Yes I agree , I hate paying it , I NEVER have used it 

I had a thought for a few minutes today NOT to bother taking out the policy for next week's trip , but ...who knows ...the moment I don't take it out is when something happens!!

Buy my work colleague Ron won't be taking it out on his Bali trip , too expensive he said , if anything goes wrong he will just pay cash .‼️

Well there's a thought to save money 🤑 🤑 💰 💰 💰 💰 💰 💰 

 

What day are you going? I arrive in BKK on 9th

[Olddaddy]

14 hours ago, UKRICK2026 said:

What day are you going? I arrive in BKK on 9th

Yes , im here this week too 🕺🕺

[PeterRS2]

On 8/2/2026 at 3:49 PM, Olddaddy said:

Now I was shocked ( or not really )  when he said he will NOT be taking travel insurance , it's a waste of $$ he said and they won't pay etc 

He is an idiot! Thankfully I have never once had to claim for any medical issues on policies covering decades of travel but I have had two claims for missed flight conections. As the airlines provided the paperwork (which took some time on my part), both claims were paid in full.

It's always seems to be the unexpected that catches out those without insurance. A heart attack, serious stroke, motorbike accident whatever. As @Blah reported, the unexpected could wipe out finances.

[jimmie50]

I think it was American Express back in the 1970's or 1980's that had a series of commercials with the theme "don't leave home without it".   That is my theme song when it comes to travel insurance...I never leave home without it.  As @PeterRS2 said, it only takes a heart attack, serious stroke, motorbike accident or some other catastrophic event to wipe a person out financially.  Not willing to take that risk myself.  Airfare certainly ain't cheap these days, either, and with the volatile situation in the Middle East not to mention craziness in other parts of the world that could erupt at any moment...travel is a huge risk these days in general and a big ticket item for most people.  Personally, I am not willing to take the risk of traveling without insurance.  

[BjornAgain]

Age has it's disadvantages. Use to tag Travel Insurance when I bought my plane ticket, however I've obviously crossed the threshold as no longer an option with Thai Airways, my prefered local carrier. Flew EasyJet in April, no issues, able to tag along with the flight. Did look around locally, but couldn't find a company that would take me without 100 questions. So same as medical insurance,  self insured. 

[Mavica]

Interesting and pertinent discussion for members/readers here. The type of travel insurance sold in conjunction with air travel typically provides limited benefits and is insufficient when things get serious.   This type of insurance coverage is what protects us (USA residents) when we have a health crisis:  GeoBlue Trekker Multi-Trip Choice and Essential Plans.  There are obviously similar plans for residents of other countries.

[a-447]

On 8/2/2026 at 4:49 PM, Olddaddy said:

.....Travel insurance was particularly if I have to add my pre-existing condition of high blood pressure 💊

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they take high blood pressure into account of it is controlled by medication.

[mauRICE]

1 hour ago, a-447 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they take high blood pressure into account of it is controlled by medication.

You got it wrong. The insurance is to cover other people's blood pressure rising from interacting with Olddaddy.

[Blah]

7 hours ago, PeterRS2 said:

 A heart attack, serious stroke, motorbike accident whatever. As @Blah reported, the unexpected could wipe out finances.

Standard travel insurance generally doesn't cover motor bike accidents, unless you pay a lot extra. Even then you must have a valid local and home-country license. They also won't pay if you're not wearing a regulation helmet, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

[Olddaddy]

6 hours ago, a-447 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they take high blood pressure into account of it is controlled by medication.

I did declare it ...they charged me $80 more 

[PeterRS2]

13 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

I did declare it ...they charged me $80 more 

😇

[Keithambrose]

14 hours ago, a-447 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they take high blood pressure into account of it is controlled by medication.

I think it depends on the insurer. 

[PeterRS2]

17 hours ago, Blah said:

Standard travel insurance generally doesn't cover motor bike accidents, unless you pay a lot extra. Even then you must have a valid local and home-country license. They also won't pay if you're not wearing a regulation helmet, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This presumably why there are many Go Fund Me pages opened after usually young guys are hospitalised in Thailand after very serious motorbike accidents.

[PeterRS2]

22 hours ago, Mavica said:

Interesting and pertinent discussion for members/readers here. The type of travel insurance sold in conjunction with air travel typically provides limited benefits and is insufficient when things get serious.   This type of insurance coverage is what protects us (USA residents) when we have a health crisis:  GeoBlue Trekker Multi-Trip Choice and Essential Plans.  There are obviously similar plans for residents of other countries.

Good point, but I note that the company you listed only provides cover up to age 69. I suspect quite a few of us are over 69 - some considerably so. Then coverage can become really difficult to find. I know that SAGA tours in the UK do offer coverage even without booking a tour, but you have to be a UK resident with a UK residential address. I get my insurance through my bank's credit card. 

[Olddaddy]

19 hours ago, Blah said:

Standard travel insurance generally doesn't cover motor bike accidents, unless you pay a lot extra. Even then you must have a valid local and home-country license. They also won't pay if you're not wearing a regulation helmet, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Your absolutely correct or there are conditions to it 

Must be wearing helmet , have a international motorcycle licence🪪 , not be affected by alcohol , and engine capacity etc 

The one I have says even as a pillion passenger eg Grab etc I must have a helmet on 🪖

[a-447]

4 hours ago, PeterRS2 said:

This presumably why there are many Go Fund Me pages opened after usually young guys are hospitalised in Thailand after very serious motorbike accidents.

Countries should refuse entry to people who have not taken out travel insurance.

Lots of young Aussies go to Bali, have an accident then set up gofundme pages. I would never donate, as that's their parents' responsibility. Let them sell their house to pay for the medical expenses!

Is that too harsh?

[vinapu]

6 minutes ago, a-447 said:

Let them sell their house to pay for the medical expenses!

Is that too harsh?

No, as long as there are apartments for rent. Who says one must live in his own house ? That's another AngloSaxon obsession, live in owned accommodation with side dish of being chained to the mortgage for 30 years 

[Mavica]

9 hours ago, PeterRS2 said:

Good point, but I note that the company you listed only provides cover up to age 69. I suspect quite a few of us are over 69 - some considerably so. Then coverage can become really difficult to find. I know that SAGA tours in the UK do offer coverage even without booking a tour, but you have to be a UK resident with a UK residential address. I get my insurance through my bank's credit card. 

Yes.  With that particular plan (and probably others), cumulative annual benefits for 70+ decrease from US$1 Million to US$200K.  The benefit would be for catastrophic event purposes.  

[jimmie50]

In the US, I have used Allianz and InsureMyTrip.  I like Allianz because they offer an annual plan as well as per trip.  If you travel a lot during a one year period, it is nice to purchase the annual plan and not worry about it each and every time.  I like InsureMyTrip because they offer multiple plans from multiple companies and do a side by side comparison.  They also allow you to purchase what you need...not a one size fits all type situation.  I usually am less concerned about trip delays, lost luggage, flight cancellations, etc. because I always purchase my ticket on credit card that include such protection plans.  I am primarily interested in the medical coverage for emergency situations and accidents.  

[macaroni21]

16 hours ago, a-447 said:

Countries should refuse entry to people who have not taken out travel insurance.

Lots of young Aussies go to Bali, have an accident then set up gofundme pages. I would never donate, as that's their parents' responsibility. Let them sell their house to pay for the medical expenses!

Is that too harsh?

I recall there was a thread earlier about Thailand trying to insist that all arrivals present proof of travel insurance, an idea that I think has since been abandoned, and it was pointed out that in practice it would be madness because insurance policies come in all shapes and sizes and different languages to boot. How would any officer at Thai immigration be able to check whether the document is what the traveller claims it is?

As for young Aussies and selling their homes... there is another way to make some money to pay medical bills: sell their bodies. I can imagine a niche market for "fun" with someone in a leg cast and an arm in a sling, though bleeding wounds might not command much market value.

 🤣

 

[PeterRS2]

1 hour ago, macaroni21 said:

I recall there was a thread earlier about Thailand trying to insist that all arrivals present proof of travel insurance, an idea that I think has since been abandoned, and it was pointed out that in practice it would be madness because insurance policies come in all shapes and sizes and different languages to boot. How would any officer at Thai immigration be able to check whether the document is what the traveller claims it is?

The amount was to be Bt. 300 per incoming passenger whether they were tourists or residents. If I remember correctly the plan was it be added to the airline ticket cost. But then residents and the airlines complained. The usual Thai stalemate resulted.

[a-447]

2 hours ago, macaroni21 said:

As for young Aussies and selling their homes... 

I was actually suggesting that their parents sell THEIR homes to pay for their kids' medical expenses.

In Australia around 80% of baby boomers own their own home, and around 20% own at least 1 investment property, so they've got a hide asking others to pay for their kids' medical expenses and the cost of an evacuation back to Australia.