Friday, October 31, 2014

All Quoted Out!

I spent two hours on the phone today answering endless questions about our health. I decided today was the day to settle the health insurance problem for six months in the US.

I called three places, BCAA. Johnson Insurance and Desjardins.

BCAA was recommended by Rod and Sylvia. After answering all their questions I was given the total: $5,468 with zero deductible and $5,223 with $1000 deductible. Wow! I asked her to save the quote but that I was going to call a few others.

Johnson was next. Norma and I each belong to a retirees group that is affiliated with Johnson Insurance. Norma the BC Government Retired Employees Assn and I the BC Assn Of Retired Telecommunications Workers. Rates were slightly different for each group and in our case she chose my discount instead of Norma's. It came in at a more reasonable $3,950 with no deductible and no option for a deductible. The nice thing about this plan was that it was for a year and covered us for as many additional trips as we wanted next summer of less than 35 days each. OK, one more to try.

We have used Desjardins (the issuer of our Visa credit card) every time we have traveled. When Norma broke her hip in Tuscon, they were very good and easy to deal with. They covered every expense including an Air Ambulance home for treatment and then returned us to get the motorhome. We had already decided to go with them again if their quote was at all competitive. I was happy to hear that their cost was $3,498 (again, no deductible), $450 cheaper than Johnson and $1,970 cheaper than BCAA! Desjardins also covers flying us home and back if there is an emergency at home (sickness in family, damage to the house). This adds a little security. This is only $50 more than we paid last year and amounts to exactly $20 per day for the two of us. Sold! Expensive if we do not need it but cheap if we do.

The pleasures of getting old! After this marathon I went out and finished the cable addition to the motorhome. Done!

9 comments:

  1. There is a trick to BCAA. They are expensive. BUT, if you purchase a 3 day policy as soon as you return next spring, and then go for a quote next November to extend the policy to cover your travel period Over the winter I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. They pro-rate the cost for the amount left on the yearly policy- 6 months left equals 50 % of the premium cost. It's too late for this year, but definitely worth the effort for the future. Our cost will be about $600 this year, but of course we're just teenagers......

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    1. The first question she asked was if it was a one year or a single trip quote I was looking for. I told her single trip.

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    2. I wonder what the one year policy was then? Wow.

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  2. Travels insurance can be expensive, but like you said priceless if you need it.

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  3. Glad you got it done - it's one of our larger expenses as well considering our budget - I'm happy when it's bought and paid for and I don't have to think about it again. One step closer…..

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  4. It's smart to shop around and see what's available. Glad to hear it all worked out to your satisfaction.

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  5. Good grief that's expensive. Better to hop over the States and fly straight to Mexico.

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  6. Last year the insurance agency where we get our vehicle insurance asked that we give them a try to beat our regular medical insurers. She was sure they could We gave them the details and they came up with a price that was $2000 higher than what we pay at Desjardins. Every company asks different medical questions. What is important to one may not be to another. Of the three, only one wanted my height and weight (they did not ask Norma's). Only one wanted the dates of our last doctor visit. Only one asked about my cholesterol. One wanted to know what specific medication I was taking while the other two only asked if it was fewer than five prescriptions.

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  7. You certainly have to look at the different insurers and their medical questionnaires. Last summer I had a colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. No cancer or polyps, thus no colonoscopy for another 10 years. The doctor determined that I had diverticulitis, which is common in 50% of people over 60. Although I have no medical/health problems with the diverticulitis, being obligated to report the diagnosis, results in higher premiums for 2 years, with some of the insurers, based on their questions.

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