I noticed on this forum that many of you talk about getting travel insurance because of your pacemaker...is this recommended and what does it cover? We go to Nassau every year and need to get the insurance if needed. Would just like some advice on the issue. Many thanks. I have only had my PM for two weeks. We don't go til first of year so surely can travel by then!

 

 

Whether you want/need travel insurance depends on several factors. If your medical condition/health is quite unstable or varies, and you may experience a situation where you need to cancel your trip after making flight and hotel arrangements and paying deposits, then trip insurance can cover most or all of the cost for you. In addition, if you are traveling to a place where medical care, especially cardiac care, is not good, then travel insurance can cover the cost to have you medically evacuated to a location where you can be properly treated. And travel insurance can pay for medical care in places where your usual care does not cover expenses. When I go on trips to Colorado to visit my daughter, I don't buy travel insurance (I live in the U.S. anyway). When I go to Africa this September, I've purchased travel insurance as there are only two pacemaker clinics in Africa (or at least Medtronic clinics, the type of PM I have). It also depends whether you can afford the insurance (if you can afford the trip, you can probably afford the insurance) and whether you prefer to be a risk-taker.

Nassau sounds like a great place to be in January -- enjoy the trip!
Cathrynb

 

Thanks for your note and the info...do appreciate it!

 

I dont take out insurance as I am sick of the companies finding a let out clause so they run off with your money and dont pay. I just take the risk even on travelling right around the planet. Statistically most problems occur within 5 miles of home apparently. Cheers pete

 

There ARE companies out there who don't charge you an arm and a leg AND will take care of you if something goes wrong.
My wife and I took a couple of weeks and drove across the US (We are Canadian).
We took out extra travel insurance (cost about $62.00) just for peace of mind.

I got the insurance through BCAA (or AAA in the US).
They have a pretty good reputation.

I figured it beats paying $$$ if you end up sick or have an accident.

As far as Pete's statistics, he is somewhat correct - HOWEVER, it only takes ONE incident in another country... and you may no longer have a home!