In our last issue of CSANews, we outlined several of the pitfalls of buying travel medical insurance and whether your policy would actually cover a health problem while you were travelling.

Nothing has changed but, lately, policies have become much more restrictive and it is even more important to know what you are buying. I will just remind you of the internet site which I visited to buy travel insurance. I jumped through all of their hoops and filled in all of their forms then, after “wasting” 20 minutes, I determined that the policy would only cover trip cancellation. What??

After reviewing several of the new, updated plans for this year, I came across a major competitor that had made 22 changes in their underwriting rules – all for the worse. So, what you bought and paid for last year has dramatically changed, and not in your favour. I will say it again – “Read and understand your policy before buying.”

A very wise client once told me that Medipac’s policy and assistance stand on their own, well above the crowd of competitors. He also said that we did not have to comment on the competition – but I just did. Twenty-two policy changes in one plan is an outrageous number. These were mostly medical changes and, therefore, difficult to explain clearly and oh, their rates changed, too. In a perfect world, they should have to place a warning on their websites and applications outlining the drastic changes.

Medipac’s policy has remained essentially the same for more than 20 years. We have added a few new benefits and clarified some things on our application at times, but the core product and benefits are the same old-same old boring but brilliant benefits. Medipac is the essential snowbird travel medical insurance package. Fifty thousand snowbirds have figured that out and, hopefully, you are one of them. If not, join us. With a claim-free history and the advantages of our Early Bird offer (i.e. buy now), you can claim up to 10% off of our basic rates.

Just be careful out there, and have a wonderful summer.

P.S. Don’t forget to review our Early Bird Program; you should have it in your hands by now. If not, just call us.