I make my living representing insurance companies in coverage litigation. Most try to do the right thing based on the contract. And it is a contract, so they don't have to pay what they don't owe. Yes, there are exclusions and there are reasons for all of them. (Recently saw an exclusion in a trucking liability policy that excluded operation of a covered auto on a frozen waterway. Someone obviously actually drove an eighteen wheeler onto a frozen lake or river at some point. Who'd have thunk? 80,000 pounds on ice. What could possibly go wrong?). I understand travel/evacuation insurance is a bit different, because it calls for quick decisions and bears serious consequences. I've handled most types of coverage imaginable over 30+ years, but have never represented a carrier that offers that particular type of coverage.

I have a lot of insurance -- I'm a big fan of it. And if they don't deliver and you suffer consequences, you can sue the crap out of them. If your insurance company doesn't do what you think is right, consult a lawyer. Get a specialist, not some TV lawyer. That's what keeps me in business. Most of the time the insurance company gets it right; they certainly try. Bear in mind they deal with the same contract day after day and there are consequences under virtually every state law if they don't. They know it pretty well, but they do make mistakes.

I always buy travel insurance. I've bounced around between Ripcord and Global Rescue. Never had a claim, so no basis for comparison on claims handling. I will say that I had a client who was a sheep nut and he had a fall and couldn't come off the mountain. Only way off was helicopter. He didn't buy the coverage and it cost him over $50k.

Wow. Thats a tough situation to be in. I guess the lesson to take away we should all be mentally prepared for things going wrong. I find it hard to understand why you rejected the Drs advice on site and the Global Rescue offers but were happy to accept the time line for treatment as it suited your wishs. It all comes down to the contract which we dont have. Insurance doesnt necessarily cover what you want. Only what is agreed upon.

Did not reject the doctors advice onsite, not at all. Did reject the option of having the surgery done there, in favor of first world medical doctors and facility in a non-life threatening situation. Absolutely accepted the doctors' assessment of having surgery done within 5 days, or 7 days at the absolute outside. All efforts were directed at those two goals - get the surgery done in the US, and get it done within the timeline recommended.

Not sure what you read to suggest I did not act within the advice of the medical professionals. Perhaps I didn't explain properly??

Where is the contract ? Post it here. Prove they breached the Insurance agreement or you have libel'd them in 'trial by Internet'.

You’re welcome to go to the GR website and obtain all materials you want to see.

I Never said they breached any agreement. In point of fact, they didn’t. I did say I had difficulty (a lot) in getting them to perform in the way that they should. That’s the gist of my posting, if read through and read carefully.

quote:

Originally posted by silkyoaks:
Where is the contract ? Post it here. Prove they breached the Insurance agreement or you have libel'd them in 'trial by Internet'.

No, he isn't conducting a "trial by internet" - he is expressing his disappointment and frustration. I had a customer today tell me something about our software that I have heard one other time this week (not what I wanted to hear). Guess what? Feedback is sometimes a gift.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by silkyoaks:
Where is the contract ? Post it here. Prove they breached the Insurance agreement or you have libel'd them in 'trial by Internet'.

No, he isn't conducting a "trial by internet" - he is expressing his disappointment and frustration. I had a customer today tell me something about our software that I have heard one other time this week (not what I wanted to hear). Guess what? Feedback is sometimes a gift.

Exactly!

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by silkyoaks:
Where is the contract ? Post it here. Prove they breached the Insurance agreement or you have libel'd them in 'trial by Internet'.

No, he isn't conducting a "trial by internet" - he is expressing his disappointment and frustration. I had a customer today tell me something about our software that I have heard one other time this week (not what I wanted to hear). Guess what? Feedback is sometimes a gift.

Exactly!

And I am very disappointed that no one from GR has said anything here.

My experience with GR has always been good but my expectations have never been tested due to a major injury. Very interested in their reply on this forum.

!/QUOTE]

And I am very disappointed that no one from GR has said anything here.[/QUOTE]

I doubt there would be any point. The OP has projected his first world expectations into a 2nd/3rd world country and was only interested in one outcome, his own.
He paid for a service and then chose not to use it.

Updates: (1) No contact of any kind from GR. (2) My wife is doing well with the brace. As of last Thursday the orthopedist believes we will be able to avoid surgery.

The fracture was too severe for a cast, and the use of the brace may well prove to be the much more desirable alternative to surgery. And CERTAINLY the better alternative to surgery in Windhoek - the only option the physicians there gave us if we didn’t evac to the States. Which, by the way, 2 of them strongly suggested we do.

First world outcome?? You bet!!

And that’s why any of us buy this kind of insurance- for the best and least risky outcome achievable. And if I had accepted the options initially provided by GR, she would have had surgery, and it would have been in Namibia.

Anyone here think the struggle with GR wasn’t worth it?

Glad to hear your wife is doing well.

This is pretty par for the course with all of these companies. Whether it's Global, MedJet, or Ripcord, ever person I've talked with who actually had to use it had a less than satisfactory experience.

They're really good at publishing glitzy marketing material that gives you a wonderful sense of false security. But when push comes to shove, getting them to act is another story. I still buy it as it's better than nothing, but I don't have the level of expectation that I used to.

It sounds like paying a tithe to your local church might be just as effective.

Why do folks buy these policies? I don't and here's why.
1. I know who I am hunting with and if an emergency arises a plan can be made.
2. I have excellent insurance. I may have to pay for services rendered up front but I will be reimbursed upon my return home and submission of a claim form with receipts. I have done this prior and it's easy. The exchange rate is calculated on the date(s) of service.
3. For the amount of trips I have taken, the savings has been enough to pay for another hunt or two.
4. The pages of exclusions are a turn off. 32 pages of exclusions for one company I looked into (Travel Guard).
5. It sets me off when travel agents try to push the insurance so they can get a percentage of the sale. I've asked Fred at TWG not to offer me a policy.
Just my two cents...
Cheers, gentlemen.
Cal

My credit card provides just as good international emergency insurance for free.

Costco VISA Card.

It’s what I sent Mokore for my insurance for my Moz trip in a week.


One thing I would note from my experience with my mom’s medical issues last year and will be more applicable to a lot of members that getting hit by a buffalo (rare event).

Sometimes you way not be able to fly. She had heart blockage along with 3 drops of blood in her brain (very minor stroke). If something like that happens you won’t be able to get on a plane and will have to have medical care where you are. Luckily she was in India where she was had access to the best hospitals and connected doctors in the family that kept an eye and controlled the expenses (negotiated with the hospital).

Emergency insurance does little if getting on a plane is not possible. It’s a risk you have to take,


Mike

Am a little surprised, H T, that the Windhoek medical people did not recommend moving your wife over to Joburg to see if the work could/should be done there. RSA medical remains decent, especially at the best hospitals. You could likely have chartered a flight from Eros to one of the Joburg airports at an expensive but not outrageous cost.

Good to hear the word on your wife's situation now.

Regards, Tim