Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Cruising Forums > General Cruising Forum
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login
Register Files FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search Log in

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-18-2005, 05:50 AM   #1
Scott Miller
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Health/Medical Insurance

From January to March 2006 I'll be in Costa Rica and/or Panama Canal zone seeking crew positions onward to Australia. I need to purchase health/medical insurance for about a year..... any suggestions on providers to look into? I have heard that some insurance companies don't cover folks at sea; wonder why.

Hope this finds you all well and continuing the dream chasing/living.

Fair Winds,

Cheers,

Scott
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2005, 10:12 AM   #2
Admiral
 
JeanneP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
Default

While we cruised we were insured with International Health Insurance/danmark. So long as you are not living in the US you are covered everywhere in the world. (doesn't mean you can't get your medical care covered in the US, just that for full-time residents of the US you can't get coverage.)

see: http://www.ihi.com/english.asp
__________________

__________________
In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

SY WATERMELON |
MV WATERMELON (New) | Cruiser's Dictionary, free ebook

= Cruiser's Dictionary, North America,
JeanneP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2005, 07:06 PM   #3
Commander
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 178
Default

Scott, you might find 'dsames' answer related to health care insurance at the following link to be helpful to you: http://ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vt...m=11&topic=1931

Like all other kinds of insurance - wherein you usually get a l-o-n-g contract in exchange for an annual bill, but perhaps not the kinds of reimbursement benefits you expected - acquiring the kind of health insurance you actually need and can benefit from is not a simple issue, no matter how much we'd like it to be.

And that's before we factor in the 'scoundrel' factor - e.g. see http://ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vt...forum=1&topic=4 (Also note the two reputable brokers mentioned in that thread). Another scoundrel is mentioned at http://ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vt...um=1&topic=1673

Just be thoughtful about what you are actually trying to protect yourself against, and how much you think it's worth...and then cavaet emptor.

Jack
__________________
Jack Tyler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2005, 08:16 PM   #4
Admiral
 
JeanneP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
Default

IHI/danmark paid over $100,000 for my medical care in 1996 - in the U.S. for most of it. There are a few requirements - if you need to be admitted to a hospital you must contact them first so they can authorize the hospital to bill them. Other medical services - you pay out of pocket and submit a claim form and the bills to them for reimbursement. For most of the world their coverage will be 100%. In the US, a whole lot less than that.

It is age-dependent on premiums (the older you are, the higher the premiums), but once you are accepted by them they cannot cancel you.

As a Canadian, you have more resources than a US citizen does - I've got Canadian friends who have had serious accidents while cruising who flew back to Canada for surgery and repair of their injuries.

You should check with your local insurance agent - there is travel insurance available in Canada to cover you while traveling outside of Canada. Not knowing the terms and condition, I recommend that you review them carefully.

If you do not have some sort of comprehensive insurance coverage it is absolutely imperative that you be sure that the yacht owner on which you travel has comprehensive liability insurance to cover any accidents that may occur that injure you. The problem here is that (a) not many owners are going to be willing to produce the insurance policy for your scrutiny, and/or ( they might not have any insurance; and/or © they resent your asking and you've lost your spot [in which case you probably are better off not being on their boat]. Of course, their insurance coverage would only cover you in the case of an accident on board, however, and health insurance would still be needed for illness or accidents when not on board.

I remember a brand-new Australian-built boat came into one of the Manly marinas with the (American) owner at the helm - he backed into a slip and crushed the paid skipper between boat and piling as he was trying to secure the boat. The injured fellow was in terrible shape with a crushed pelvis and other serious injuries. I remember discussion of the fact that he was lucky that he was a Kiwi who could get free medical care in Australia. Who wants to be dependent upon being the "right" nationality to obtain reasonably-priced or free medical care in an emergency?
__________________
In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

SY WATERMELON |
MV WATERMELON (New) | Cruiser's Dictionary, free ebook

= Cruiser's Dictionary, North America,
JeanneP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2006, 08:45 PM   #5
here to sail
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Home Port: Karlshamn
Vessel Name: Furaha
Posts: 17
Default

have a look at this site

http://www.eglobalhealth.com/marine-crew-insurance.html

They offer a special mariners health insurance... I dont know if its a good deal though
__________________
Kai.Weeks is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
med


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Medical Kit For Cruisers. Lighthouse General Cruising Forum 20 02-14-2012 01:22 AM
Unusual Medical Condition Sammy The Poop Deck 8 09-30-2008 12:12 AM
Health insurance. Gary Lee General Cruising Forum 12 10-09-2007 09:08 PM
Health Care Dixie from Alberta The Poop Deck 3 03-14-2006 08:44 PM
medical insurance marcus The Poop Deck 4 08-07-2005 11:19 AM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×