Geologist needing insurance advice!

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sapp23
sapp23

Hi everyone,

I'm doing fieldwork in southern Madagascar and I'm trying to find travel insurance. Does anyone have any advice on finding a travel insurance company that fills these requirements?

  1. Pre-existing medical condition
  2. Remote area
  3. < $800 (going for 95 days total, but 60 of these days are in Europe)
  4. Place of origin = Australia

Lots of the ones I am looking at either cover (1) but not (2), (2) but not (1) or seem extremely expensive (but I may have no choice).

Looking forward to visiting (once I sort out this nuisance...) and learning the proper pronunciation of words in Malagasy.

Cheers!

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sfgirl42
sfgirl42

I tend to trust Comsumer Reports (US)...
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/06/do-you-need-travel-insurance/index.htm
and they recommend checking with
http://www.insuremytrip.com/?linkId=13484&gclid=CLyyz-Hq6b8CFQSSaQodciMAfA
and some advice from the Guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/apr/06/travel-insurance-cover-10-tips-deals
I think there's kind of a problem in the part is work and part is play.
The pre-existing condition: Will there be adequate medical services available where you'll be working?
Could your medical needs possibly need for you to be airlifted to another location?
Is there no chance of getting coverage from whoever you'll be working for?
When you say 'field work', will you be affiliated with an educational or nonprofit organization with access to other options?
I'm no expert on insurance...a friend who was an underwriter told me 'insurance is legalized gambling. You're betting you don't need it, and if you do..you win, and if you don't...what you lose is just money and a lot less than its absence would cost you'.

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orion_mike
orion_mike

Sapp - other than the "pre-existing" issue your problem (and I've faced this myself) is that Africa now gets lumped in the Nth & Sth America (rest of the world excluding Europe/Japan/Asia) so the daily premium costs really mount up. Have you investigated the one associated with the Motor Vehicle Associations (RACV/NRMA) - I think its now under QBE or is it QIG. Either way for the period you are away expect something approaching a $1000 AUD. Whilst Sfgirl has recommended good companies - your Australian residence all but guarantees you are limited to Aust based insurance companies. Good luck

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sapp23
sapp23

Thanks for the information sfgirl and orion_mike - definitely will get insurance, I've had to use one before in Canada and it is worth every cent. I am affiliated with a university however unfortunately the routine free cover provided does not have an option to pay for a premium - hence funding the entire coverage myself. I have funding which I can use for the cost but I'd rather keep the cost low so I can have more to fund the actual expedition!

I've looked on comparison sites, but there is a definite short-coming as you can't specify conditions and instead have to trawl through all the PDS'. I've been looking at Southern Cross Insurance but hidden in their FAQs is a 'remote area' clause which I have emailed them to clarify.

I will have a look at the Motor Vehicle ones - thank-you, I hadn't thought of these.

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sapp23
sapp23

Solved - for others who might be interested in the information - InsureAndGo in Australia offer cover for both pre-exisiting medical conditions and remote area coverage for a under $600 for 95 days. Now here's hoping I never need it...

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sfgirl42
sfgirl42

Well, congratulations and yes, I hope you don't need it either.

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