Choosing to buy visitors insurance from your site

[submittedviaemail]

I am in the process of choosing a comprehensive medical insurance coverage for my parents (74 and 77 yrs old) and had some questions that I need answered.

1. Given that they are both hypertensive and my father is diabetic too, which category of coverage should I choose for them?

2. What multiples are the premia set in? For example, if they are here for one month and two days, shall i take the monthly and renew (in which case, in what multiple period) or for 32 days (i.e. one month+2days)

3. is the luggage and passport loss automatically built in, or is their an additional charge for separately adding that liability?

4. In case of an emergency (god forbid) which plan has generally been found to be the most friendly in terms of recovering costs made by the patient?

5. What is the meaning of the ratings (excellent/superior etc) and who makes them?

6. How should one choose a good plan, that can protect my parents who are both old but not infirm - something that is adequate and comprehensive without being extravagant, wasteful and redundant?

Thank you - I'n very confused, as I have been researching this for a month, and my parents are now due to arrive in a couple of days!

[insubuy]

Thank you for your interest in purchasing health insurance for your parents.
1. You should always purchase comprehensive plans. None of the plans cover pre-existing conditions. However, when new condition occurs, comprehensive plans cover much better than fixed.
2. You can just buy exactly for one month and 2 days.
3. Lost luggage is covered. Lost passport is not covered.
4. Patriot America.
5. Ratings are given by the A.M. Best Company (http://www.ambest.com) That is the company that rates all the insurance companies. However, that is an overall rating for the insurance carrier itself and those ratings are not for individual plans. As long as any plan is A or better, you are fine.
6. You can purchase Patriot America, available online at
https://www.insubuy.com/patriot-amer...tor-insurance/
Please let me know if you have any other questions.

[submittedviaemail]

Thank you for your quick response.

A couple of final questions; there were some good experiences other consumers had with a comprehensive plan that SRI manages, called Liaison. Is that better than IMG's Patriot?

Can I get coverage for 15 days for both parents on the same plan? they plan to come together and leave together. in case there are any health problems with ONE of them, will this be a logistical problem for the claims process?

Thank you, once again, for your advice.

[insubuy]

1. That is good plan as well. You can compare both the plans side by side at
https://www.insubuy.com
2. You can buy it together or separate. It is same price either way.

[insubuy]

After your helpful inputs, I've decided to buy the Patriot IMG comprehensive plan for my parents, and will be doing it jointly, not separately. However, they aren't sure that they want to stay 13 days or one month - currently my travel agent is holding both reservations, although only one ticket has been issued.
1. Will it be more economical (and is it possible) for me to initially buy a 13 day Patriot IMG plan for them, and then renew it if they decide to stay on, or should i buy the one month coverage and get a refund if they leave early? which is more economical? how long does it take to get a refund?
Narendra>> You can buy either 13 days or 1 month, whichever period you like.However, if you can renew Patriot America only if you initially purchase for minimum 3 months. Therefore, you can't renew it if you purchase for only 13 days.
Refund policy for Patriot America: As long as there are no claims filed since the effective date, insurance company will refund fully unused months minus $25 cancellation fee. Therefore, there won't be any refund for 17 days.
I suggest that you buy Protection America (IMG) that can be renewed even if buy for 13 days.
2. Does it make a difference if i buy the coverage before they arrive or should i await their arrival and then buy the plan - what is the advantage in buying before they have arrived into the country?
Narendra >>> If you get make the effective date one day in advance of their travel date, they would be covered for any medical problems during travel as well. Sometimes, people get hurt when using escalator for the first time, lifting baggage etc.
3. ICICI-Lombard is offering the same coverage from India at a significantly lower premium for the same period - but I'm not sure how good they would be in case i needed to make a claim (god forbid). What would you advise?
Narendra >>> It is certainly NOT the same coverage.
There are 2 types of plans:
Fixed: Cheaper, limited
Comprehensive: More expensive, much better coverage
Read https://www.insubuy.com/visitors-insurance/
ICICI is ONLY fixed coverage plan for age above 55.
It is better to buy from US based company. Read
https://www.insubuy.com/visitor-medi...ance-overview/
According to their web site, they don't give you any health insurance card, there is no PPO network, no direct billing, no network negotiated fee. You have to call their New Delhi office to get their permission before you can go to Dr's office. You have to first pay here and file for reimbursement in India in Rupees.
Additionally, read
Read experiences about them at
http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16830
http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19060
http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26065
http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16309
http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15471
http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8221
More at https://www.insubuy.comhttps://www.i...rance-reviews/
Thank you for all your help.

[submittedviaemail]

you had suggested (based on my query) that i should buy protection img vs patriot img, if i want to buy for 13 days and then renew it. this is because i cannot renew patriot img (which appears to be the better plan) unless i have already purchased for a minimum of 3 months. the difference is about $60 for the same period.

what if i bought the patriot img for 15 days and then bought a fresh plan for the next fifteen? that would still be marginally more expensive than buying patriot img for one month straight, but still less than protection img.

so my first question is: is it possible to buy patriot img for 15 days and after it lapses, buy it again for 15 days (since it cannot be renewed)

question 2: is it valid from the date i buy it from, provided it is not restrospective?

waiting for a quick answer (thank you) since the old folks arrive tonight....

[insubuy]

1. It is not recommended to buy it again. New deductible, new coinsurance and new pre-existing conditions start all over again. That means, if you get into any medical problems during 15 days, when you buy it again, it would be considered as pre-existing condition in the new policy and not covered.
2. Insurance can start as early as the next day or any future date you specify.