Eye on Travel Insurance

February 2020 issue | Appears on page 46

Betty James Travel Insurance Strategy update
By Wayne Wirtanen

For some years now, I’ve been recommending post-departure travel insurance policies, also known as zero-trip-cost policies or (as I coined it) “Betty James policies.” These policies eliminate the expensive trip-cancellation/interruption coverage but provide all of the other benefits of a full-feature policy, including overseas medical and emergency-medical-evacuation coverage as well as coverage for baggage loss, trip delay, etc.

Recently, some travel insurance...

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January 2020 issue | Appears on page 47

Emergency medical evacuation follow-up
By Wayne Wirtanen

In my March 2019 column, I made the following statement regarding a type of overseas emergency-medical-evacuation insurance policy offered by Divers Alert Network, or DAN (Durham, NC; 800/446-2671, www.diversalertnetwork.org), and their “membership” coverage: 

“I no longer recommend this type of coverage because, in case of a medical emergency, it will take you only to the nearest appropriate medical facility, and there is no provision for medical costs. If I...

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March 2019 issue | Appears on page 48

Emergency medical evacuation
By Wayne Wirtanen

There are basically two types of overseas emergency-medical-evacuation policies. First is the type of coverage supplied by Divers Alert Network, or DAN (Durham, NC; 800/446-2671, www.diversalertnetwork.org).

DAN is primarily designed for scuba divers, but anyone can join. Their basic coverage is called "DAN Membership," and for a year's protection the cost is $35 for an individual or $55 for a family (including spouse or domestic partner and children under 24 in school and...

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October 2018 issue | Appears on page 50

Top Reasons Travel Insurance Claims are Delayed or Denied
By Wayne Wirtanen

I would like to share valuable information recently supplied by two travel insurance sources.

First up is a table of advice from InsureMyTrip (800/487-4722, www.insuremytrip) to which I have added some information and tips of my own [in italics — Editor].

Top Reasons Travel Insurance Claims are Delayed or Denied

CLAIM ISSUE TIP Reason for canceling a trip is not covered under policy. Review the policy with a licensed travel insurance expert prior to purchase.... CONTINUE READING »
April 2018 issue | Appears on page 50

The advantage of post-departure policies: cost
By Wayne Wirtanen
travel insurance

Following is a testimonial that an ITN subscriber, Thomas Selgas of San Diego, California, wrote to his travel insurance broker, Dan Drennen, relating to an experience that he and his wife, Anne, had with their post-departure policy.

Thomas wrote, “I should tell you that the insurance that we had for our trip to Cyprus was great.

“Unfortunately, Anne fell and had a concussion. She was taken to the emergency room and was there for an hour. When they found out that we...

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July 2016 issue | Appears on page 49

Advice from a longtime travel insurance columnist
By Wayne Wirtanen

In my column this month, I will first answer a subscriber’s specific questions regarding purchasing travel insurance, then I will provide some thoughts and recommendations on the general subject.

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Wirtanen, my husband and I are planning a trip to China (including Tibet) and Japan in October-November and, for the first time, we are wondering about the value of purchasing travel insurance.

In the archives of your “Eye On Travel Insurance”...

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May 2014 issue | Appears on page 53

Medigap and subrogation
By Wayne Wirtanen
Discussion of a complex area of travel insurance. Your travel insurance policy may tap into your “Medigap” coverage, plus how Wayne deals with that issue on overseas trips.
June 2013 issue | Appears on page 58

Primary- and secondary-payer policies

By Wayne Wirtanen
This article explains the differences between these types of policies and reveals the great advantage of a primary-payer policy.