Les-Lee isn’t finished working over the travel insurance companies. The tirade continues. If you want to report something well done by a supplier, a res agent, or rep, we are happy to give them some coverage in TRO’s Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down. If you have a problem with airlines, tour companies, etc. or getting commissions, maybe we can assist. Contact Les-Lee at packagedeals@comcast.net.
Based on the large response I personally received about previous Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down comments about Travel Insurance, I think the dialogue must continue. First of all, to all the agents who e-mailed me about which company they should or should not use, I cannot make that decision for you. I cannot endorse one over the other, but only advise what all agents should be aware of when offering insurance to their clients.
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Here’s where agents are taking too much for granted. If you have application forms in your office, you should pull out the reading glasses to go over the fine print, to better understand the policy. If you’re not wearing glasses, you will need them after doing this exercise. Call the insurance companies for clarification whenever there is a question. For the companies who accept bookings online, and charge to send out a policy, it’s worth it to pay the fee, build it into the cost of the policy, and give it to your clients. It makes sense rather than having to print out pages of info that really no one looks at.
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A full HANDS UP and more– 4 fingers and a THUMB if you do the following.
Now you may be thinking, why two, our office only works with one company. Clients have a quicker response if you offer choices of no more than two, once you explain the differences. If they’re taking a cruise, check out what the cruise line offers- yeah, their commission is lower too. But if you’re adding on the air, and pre or post and your customized shore excursions, you need to protect them on the total amount of the entire trip. It’s an easier sell, if you point out the benefits for them. THUMBS UP if you contact the insurance rep and try to negotiate a better contract- based on the volume you are producing. Hey, that’s what the host agencies do! The more you sell, the higher the profit margin. |
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Now for a few THUMBS DOWN.
Think twice or even 3 times if you’re working with a company that offers cancellation due to medical for immediate family members, even if they are not booked on the trip/cruise. Bet you’re confused on this one. If your clients like this benefit because Granny is in a nursing home, and you never know. That is the problem, you – the agent – never know if a claim will be paid or not. Here’s where the simplest sentence may cost thousands of dollars. “Conditions are not considered pre-existing if the condition for which prescribed drugs or medicine is taken remains controlled without any change in the required prescription.” What this really means is if Granny has any change of Rx in the past 180 days, even to cut down on the medication because of health improvement, the claim can be denied. If a pain pill is changed to a lower dosage – denied! If the doctor is changing to a generic, to help you save some bucks – denied! If the doctor says that you are fit to travel since your condition has been monitored for twenty years, and even changes one Rx – denied. And according to one Claims Analyst Supervisor, when I asked about changing the dosage on a birth control pill (not for Granny) due to side effects – Denied! So THUMBS UP for the agents who become nurse practitioners who clarify this deal breaking policy for their clients and review the medical provisions for the past six months. The problem is getting the clients to review their medical records, as well as immediate family records.. Insurance companies who want to get out of paying a multi-thousand dollar claim, will go back six months and examine every Rx. Do all companies do this? No- there are travel insurance companies that are very quick to pay and not so detailed. This is why it’s your obligation – and your reputation on the line – every time you offer travel insurance. Finally, agents should check with their local Dept of State to see if the insurance company can sell policies there. And if you, the agent, need to be registered to sell insurance- Do It! |
2 thoughts on “THUMBS UP and THUMBS DOWN for TRAVEL INSURANCE …yeah again”
I would suggest a less stressful approach than worrying over whether or not a medical condition wiill be considered by the insurance company to be “pre-existing” and eliigible for coverage.
The better approach is to qualify for a waiver offered by many insurance companies that allows for coverage of medical conditions even if they are considered “pre-existing.” Obtaining this important waiver usually involves folllowing simple purchase qualifying rulles after first making sure the company offers the waiver.
Here are the normal rules:
1. Buy the insurance plan within a deadline period, usually by 14 days after the traveler’s initial trip deposit.
2. Be sure to buy the plan to cover the complete, non-refundable cost of the insured traveler’s trip.
3. Be sure that the insured traveler buying the plan is medically able to travel at the time they purchase the insurance plan, and –
4. Make sure this is the traveler’s first and only travel booking for the same travel dates and destination.
Once these simple qualifying rules are followed,
you need not worry over whether or not the traveler, his or her travel companion or any members of their immediate families have “pre-existing” medical conditions. The purchased waiver can cover those conditions, whether pre-existing or not!
John Stone — Travel Insured International
Yes, John, that would work if the policy is purchased within the required 14 days after the deposit with certain companies.
The scenerio I described is based on a policy purchased after the 14 days, by peope who were treated for many years and have their conditions under control.
The consequences mentioned were accurate and were confirmed by a claims analyst supervisor with two separate insurance companies. One company goes back only 60 days and the other goes back 180 days to check the Rx’s filled.
The problem is that many agents and mostly clients, don’t read all the fine print. In most cases, the details are not printed on the brochures we give to our clients. And the clients rely on the agents for their knowledge and advice.
Thanks for your comment.