Travel Insurance: Lip service, Be informed

[JimP]

I know that on my trip 3 years ago I checked with my homeowners insurance company and verified that I would be covered and just what was covered along with the limits. I did pick up a extra policy to cover me for evacuation out of the brush and back here to the US but that was all.

That and along with my firearm insurance through the NRA I figured that I didn't need any extra insurance for the trip.

Insurance like everything else needs to be investigated to see just what they are going to do for you. If it is just a slap in the face then go elsewhere.

 

[mdwest]

This is not the same company from years ago, its all about bonus for the top.

Sadly, I agree..

I have been a USAA member since the late 1980's.. They are not the same company today that they were when I first became a member..

I still use them for auto insurance, and I have an IRA invested with them, and I established all the kids college funds at USAA years ago and have kept them there.. but after having a couple of significant run ins with them over homeowners insurance, I dropped them and moved elsewhere, where I got better coverage at a cheaper price when I bought my most recent home..

I dont find them to be a bad company.. again, I still do business with them.. and they have always been pleasant on the phone, courteous, etc.. whenever I have called or emailed with a question..

But there are certainly other companies out there that offer better products at better price points if youre willing to shop around..

 

[Global Rescue]

Update 2:

I requested cancellation of the IMG policy the same day I purchased the policy thru Global Rescue.

Global Rescue rep gave me the phone number and email address to cancel the policy directly with IMG.

IMG rep said the email address GR gave me was incorrect and gave me a second email address to IMG to cancel my policy. Which I sent a second cancellation email the next day.

Global Rescue within 3 business days refunded my payment.

I contacted IMG via phone after receiving server failure notices unable to connect to server.

The IMG rep I talked with gave me an email address. I sent another email request of cancellation along with the server failure reply that was attached to my previous emails.

(March 14th/ 3rd email attempt)

The confirmation email reply ( indicated that I would not get a refund) that refunds are not given after 14 days from purchase.

MY INTERPRETATION in the way the confirmation email was written: I won't receive a refund because my purchase was made over 14 days. The purchase was made on March 7th, its only been 6 days including a weekend.

Global Rescue here. We are sorry to hear you had a bad experience with IMG and will escalate with them immediately. We provide the finest (and in many cases the only) field rescue, evacuation and extraction services worldwide and expect the same standard of excellence from IMG. Please email us your contact information so we can get some additional details: memberservices@globalrescue.com.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I reviewed the coverage IMG provides. The lost luggage of $2500 is not adequate for a hunter traveling with firearms, optical and camera equipment. One rifle not including a scope could easily cost more than $2500. One gun case with two rifles, scopes, additional items packed could exceed ten thousand dollars.

 

[Ridge Runner]

If it was up to $2500.00 per item I would not have such a problem. As long as it is per item. However, I was told only $250.00 for my $1500.00+ rifle with scope, case and accessories and another $250.00 for $1500+ my camera including accesories.

Basically if my rifle and camera were both lost or stolen IMG would only reimburse me $500.00 total
on a $3000.00+ loss.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Global Rescue here. We are sorry to hear you had a bad experience with IMG and will escalate with them immediately. We provide the finest (and in many cases the only) field rescue, evacuation and extraction services worldwide and expect the same standard of excellence from IMG. Please email us your contact information so we can get some additional details: memberservices@globalrescue.com.

As per your request I sent my contact info to you.

 

[Hank2211]

I've had Global Rescue for some years, but fortunately never had to use their services.

Global Rescue is not, as I understand it, an insurance company in the traditional sense. They are a medical (and sometimes security) evacuation company. My understanding from the cases they cite and the experiences of others is that they do this very well, and in fact when disaster strikes somewhere in the world, others often go to them for their expertise in this area. This is not something that any insurance company can do - it's a very specialized service and one the requires contacts and connections throughout the world. Most "regular" insurance companies which offer the service - mine does not - will have to contract out the service. I'd rather go with the pros, who run the business themselves.

Having said that, I should also point out that I wouldn't use Global Rescue for travel, theft or any other kind of insurance. It's not their business, and in providing those services, they align themselves with others. I fully agree that in doing so, they need to see themselves as responsible for the services provided by those other companies. If they are passing the buck, that is not acceptable. In fairness though, I think they began to provide this service because some customers were looking for a "one stop shop" for all of their insurance for travel.

In any event there are better places to get that type of insurance - usually your homeowner policy or even certain credit cards if you charge the travel costs to the card.

 

[sierraone]

Ridge Runner, I hope it was a misunderstanding with you and Global Rescue, but I think that Hank is right. I know that when I think of Global Rescue, I think of them having to get me to a doctor then back home due to a serious illness or injury. My gun insurance is through Lockton Affinity in Kansas City. But it doesn't cover anything else. And I doubt, but don't know for sure, if it would cover you guys that carry very expensive guns to Africa. I am thinking that mine covers up to $2500 per gun including scopes and such, up to the total amount of insurance I pay for. Good luck getting this ironed out!

 

[Red Leg]

I have been a member of USAA since the mid-seventies, and I remain convinced they are the finest insurance company on the planet. Over the years, we have had a number of claims, and every incident was worked fairly and professionally. They proved particularly aggressive in defending us following an auto accident. They aren’t the cheapest, but you can always quickly get a human being on the phone ready to help.

I use Global Rescue purely to retrieve my sick, broken, or threatened self from the bowels of the Third World.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Update: Finally.

Conflict between myself and IMG has finally been resolved and I should be getting my full refund in 3-5 days.

I'd like to thank everyone for their postings and information and recommendations of alternative resources for travel assistance.

I would also like everyone to continue to post their individual experiences using their particular travel services. As this information is helpful to everyone on AH.

Because I travel to places primarily to hunt more than to sight see. I require my weapon(s) and photography equipment to be covered against loss or theft during traveling aboard. The same as having medical insurance/ trip costs reimbursement coverage should a worse case scenerio "emergency" occur away from home.

Global Rescue in its self seems to have a good track record for evacuating clients out of foreign countries. However, GR should recommend to IMG better coverage of personal items, in particular weapons and other equipment, (ie photography) or consider changing to a different medical/property insurance provider.

As some responses rely on home owners insurance to cover the loss of their valuable property. I ask you to check your home owners policy. You may find a exemption clause ie "war clause" that could allow for your insurance company not to cover such a loss.

IF or When I should be ever be asked to recommend a travel insurance provider, I would recommend to that person to check out the names of those recommended here on AH and let them decide which most suits their particular need(s).

 

[sierraone]

I have been a member of USAA since the mid-seventies, and I remain convinced they are the finest insurance company on the planet. Over the years, we have had a number of claims, and every incident was worked fairly and professionally. They proved particularly aggressive in defending us following an auto accident. They aren’t the cheapest, but you can always quickly get a human being on the phone ready to help.

I use Global Rescue purely to retrieve my sick, broken, or threatened self from the bowels of the Third World.

All my normally insured property except guns is with USAA. I was concerned that the Kansas City firm that has my gun insurance might cancel since it was connected to the NRA. According to the agent I talked to a couple of weeks ago, currently the Carry Guard insurance which I have never had is what is being cancelled My gun insurance is paid up until December 1. I was advised that would continue at least until the current expiration date. And if they did cancel as of that date I would have more than ample time for notification. If they do cancel me at that time, I will carry it over to USAA also. Since USAA requires that each gun insured has to have all the details registered with them, I have already made the form out in Excel format ready to submit if it becomes necessary.