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23S52N
Nomad
Posts: 135
Registered: 7-30-2015
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Travel Medical Insurance
I've been travelling to south Baja for the past four years for winter months and lived a year down there in 2011. For the year i lived there, i
didn't have medical insurance other than my minimal Vet Insurance (Canada). But since I moved back to Canada, I have been buying 6 month Travel
Medical Insurance.
I have spoken to some other Nomads on the road and had a variety of feedback on the sense and sensibility of the cost and value. I spoke to a fellow
Canuck last fall on my way down who advised he never buys the insurance because the cost of Mexican medical is cheap. So in effect, i guess he is
gambling that nothing serious will happen.
I just checked online with two of my previous sources, my insurance company and the Alberta Motor Association and both premiums have skyrocketed this
year to around $900.
I live in La Paz for the winter.....my biggest concern is a major medical situation or a need to be medically evacuated. Yes, I know deep down what
the wise thing to do is.....now how about some feedback for the more daring side of me??
thanks in advance,
regards,
Keith
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SkyMedBarbara
Junior Nomad
Posts: 77
Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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SkyMed Air Evacuation
SKyMed Air Evacuation is very affordable at $299.99 a year or $45.00 a month for a single. When a critical Injury or Illness occurs we save you
thousands of dollars by getting you back HOME to Canada. We have discussed this many times on Nomad so if you want information please e-mail me at
loretobarbara@skymed.com. I have been a rep. in Loreto for over 8 years and am a SkyMed Ambassador. Safe Travels and SKyMed gives you "peace of
mind" when traveling.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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DAN Evac insurance
https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/membership/travelassist.a...
You don't have to be a diver to join
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6987
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
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Quote: Originally posted by 23S52N  |
Yes, I know deep down what the wise thing to do is.....now how about some feedback for the more daring side of me??
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Only you can evaluate the risk. Your age, your current level of fitness, your medical history, and your lifestyle are all considerations. I'm sure you
understand. If you go uninsured you should have substantial cash and/or credit available and accept the fact you might have to use it.
Don't do any bungee jumping without insurance. 
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1489
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
Member Is Offline
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Ditto, This is the best deal I have found. Follow the link above and read the details. This is a evacuation service not medical insurance.
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13172
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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there was a very interesting thread quite a while ago, on this dive insurance and it became clear that it is only valid if you LIVE in the U.S. and
come here for a vacation. they ask very specific questions to ascertain this when you call up in an emergency.
However, those of us who live here, we don't qualify!
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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As a Canadian, the OP and I might wonder if Canadians might
qualify for such "evacuation only" insurance ?
AAA rates are not the least expensive for health/evac insurance.....
This interests me as well as I plan to be in Baja for several months next year....
Don't believe everything you think....
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23S52N
Nomad
Posts: 135
Registered: 7-30-2015
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Well, as Jimmy the Greek said (paraphrasing) "as far as insurance goes....it is the worst wager anyone can take....you are betting against yourself
and the only winner is the insurance company".....I think any of us who have been at life more than 40 years agree with him.....we are buying on a
slim margin....I was interested in what you all had to say.....I just HATE being gouged by the premiums.....and of course that includes my annual
Mexican auto insurance....between the two i fork out over $1200 annually, on top of my Canadian insurance.
Lol....b-tch, b-tch, b-tch.......yup..
regards,
Keith
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jack
Nomad
Posts: 148
Registered: 12-21-2005
Location: Kamloops BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Eat Heavy
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Regarding BC medical, they say if you are injured in a foreign country you will be covered by our medical plan up to what it would cost for a similar
injury in BC. I heard the cost of medical care in Mexico is comparable to BC. What you will have to do is pay for an injury out of your own pocket,
keep all bills, and then get reimbursed when back in BC. BC medical will not cover some things such as an ambulance pick up. When you are in the
States you will be grossly underinsured. But if you are injured in a vehicle accident, ICBC should cover you, right?
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23S52N
Nomad
Posts: 135
Registered: 7-30-2015
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| Quote: Originally posted by jack | | Regarding BC medical, they say if you are injured in a foreign country you will be covered by our medical plan up to what it would cost for a similar
injury in BC. I heard the cost of medical care in Mexico is comparable to BC. What you will have to do is pay for an injury out of your own pocket,
keep all bills, and then get reimbursed when back in BC. BC medical will not cover some things such as an ambulance pick up. When you are in the
States you will be grossly underinsured. But if you are injured in a vehicle accident, ICBC should cover you, right? |
I'm in Alberta.....but i think all Vehicle insurance plans will not cover a vehicle in Mexico...I know mine doesn't and when i was resident of BC,
ICBC didn't.
Alberta Health care only covers a small amount, hence the buying extra insurance, even if you vacation in the US. My private insurance for Mexico
will cover evacuation. That is the policy thru Alberta Motor Association.
regards,
Keith
[Edited on 9-24-2015 by 23S52N]
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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A medical evacuation plan is very smart. Since you are in La Paz, the Salvatierra hospital is new and very good. You can get Seguros Popular and
that will give you basic coverage. The cost is supposed to be on a sliding scale but you may also get it for no cost and just sign up. Then you are
covered for most anything that you run into. There is an office in La Paz and they can help you get signed up.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: Originally posted by jack | | .... When you are in the States you will be grossly underinsured. But if you are injured in a vehicle accident, ICBC should cover you, right?
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Jack,
Good to see you are still kicking 
Yes, provincial auto insurance covers us for Canada and USA....but not Mexico....and I know you know that 
Don't believe everything you think....
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jack
Nomad
Posts: 148
Registered: 12-21-2005
Location: Kamloops BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Eat Heavy
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| Quote: Originally posted by 23S52N | | Quote: Originally posted by jack | | Regarding BC medical, they say if you are injured in a foreign country you will be covered by our medical plan up to what it would cost for a similar
injury in BC. I heard the cost of medical care in Mexico is comparable to BC. What you will have to do is pay for an injury out of your own pocket,
keep all bills, and then get reimbursed when back in BC. BC medical will not cover some things such as an ambulance pick up. When you are in the
States you will be grossly underinsured. But if you are injured in a vehicle accident, ICBC should cover you, right? |
I'm in Alberta.....but i think all Vehicle insurance plans will not cover a vehicle in Mexico...I know mine doesn't and when i was resident of BC,
ICBC didn't.
Alberta Health care only covers a small amount, hence the buying extra insurance, even if you vacation in the US. My private insurance for Mexico
will cover evacuation. That is the policy thru Alberta Motor Association.
regards,
Keith
[Edited on 9-24-2015 by 23S52N] |
I guess I should have explained myself better. BC medical may be all we need in Mexico, but in the USA it is not good enough. But in the USA we should
be covered by our vehicle insurance, ICBC, as long as we are injured in a motor vehicle accident (for the time you are in the States, don't get out of
the truck  ). I know you need Mexican Vehicle Insurance which I buy for truck,
trailer and motorcycle.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5923
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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And hope nothing happens in CA!
This happened to an exchange student (with insurance to be gouged)
http://www.10news.com/news/-143k-hospital-bill-shocks-snake-...
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
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If you have to utilize your evac insurance do the insurance companies ask for proof of "the time spent outside your home country" (or your entrances
and exits in to the foreign county) to verify you paid for the proper plan? There's a big cost difference between full-time and part time Expat Evac
plans as well as tourist plans. I can't imagine it's an honor system.
With our Residente Permanente we don't stop at the border for tourist cards and so our passports don't reflect our actual border crossings.The only
passport stamps we get nowadays are with air travel. If the insurance companies require passport stamps when you file a claim, we couldn't provide
them no matter what level of coverage we paid for.
At the time of our Evac insurance annual renewal this year I decided not to chance it and paid for the Expatriate level. But it is NOT cheap and we
took a few unexpected flights back to the US and turns out, we would have qualified for MedJet's "Expat 180" which is half the cost of full time
version I bought. The cost of our US medical insurance is ridiculous, rising, and I don't want to pay for extra $$$ evac insurance coverage if we
don't need it.
I sent an email to MedJet asking if they would require proof of exits and entrances from the US/foreign country travel but their response was vague
and didn't answer the question. I'll call them for a more definitive answer at renewal time but wondered if anyone has experience filing an evac
insurance claim.
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KasloKid
Nomad
Posts: 326
Registered: 8-29-2009
Member Is Offline
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It's standard practice for any insurance company to hand the file over to their lawyer to examine for policy compliance/wiggle room before paying out
or not paying out.
It's a business, and their mandate is to answer to their share holders in the form of returns on their investment.
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SkyMedBarbara
Junior Nomad
Posts: 77
Registered: 9-17-2007
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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SkyMed
SkyMed's Traditional Membership gives up to 6 months in Mexico a year for $499.00 for a family, the rest of the time you are covered in 32 countries.
You have to state the 6 months you want coverage in Mexico up front. Otherwise you are not covered in Mexico. ExPat is more than 6 months in Mexico
and is $995.00 for a family. Pretty reasonable and we have many members in Loreto.
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jim1944
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 10-27-2010
Member Is Offline
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HI kieth
In your original post you said "Vet Insurance" If you are or were in the forces and have PSHCP coverage you are eligible for MEDOC travel insurance
at a reduced rate. See links on fsna.com or phone me at two five zero - four 89 - four 438. I have used it for years
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23S52N
Nomad
Posts: 135
Registered: 7-30-2015
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by jim1944 | HI kieth
In your original post you said "Vet Insurance" If you are or were in the forces and have PSHCP coverage you are eligible for MEDOC travel insurance
at a reduced rate. See links on fsna.com or phone me at two five zero - four 89 - four 438. I have used it for years |
Thanks Jim....i'm going to contact PSHCP and VAC and check into this a little more. Appreciate your input. As an aside, my present auto insurance
gives me a rebate for time spent in Mexico on insurance....and now only requires proof (gas/hotel receipt) of entry/exit by that means in lieu of an
INM stamp in the passport.
Having just checked on the PSHCP site, it appears that the emergency travel assistance is only good for up to 40 days. I will be gone for just about
6 months.
Thanks kindly for all the input.
regards,
Keith
[Edited on 9-25-2015 by 23S52N]
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Helpful and informative post and replies..thank you for contributing.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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