Steve, the owner of The Trip Insurance Store has autism, and his “special interest” is travel insurance. He is extremely knowledgeable. We have a 5-year MedJet Assist policy for evacuation to the hospital of our choice, and insure our individual trips for a small amount ($100) to get the medical coverage, counting on the insurance provided by our Chase Sapphire credit card for other travel-related expenses.
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I did not know that about Steve. But the time he was willing to help me understand the lay of the land as well as making the right choices has been beyond expectations. When I’ve been unable to reach him one of the other people in the office always is willing to assist. I am still astounded that one can reach a live, honest to goodness, language unchallenged person either immediately…or via a return call within hours.
And yes. that is what we do…insure for a small amount yet gain the full medical coverage.
Can’t say enough about how that organization has helped me feel so much more comfortable.
Me too. Bought my health Geoblue trekker essential annual plan from Steve and individual trip coverages when $$$$ are involved. Also have the expensive Sapphire Reserve card but it doesn’t cover a new ticket home if you are delayed overseas for health reason. It may reimburse you the price of your old ticket but a new non advanced purchased ticket may cost much more.
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Wow…I guess Steve gets around! Great to hear.
Based on the recommendations here, I also chatted with the folks from the trip insurance website. They recommended GeoBlue. When I asked about Allianz they said they didn’t sell that so couldn’t compare.
GeoBlue looks good (and affordable). Just haven’t heard of them whereas I’ve heard a lot bout Allianz on all the travel sites. Kind of torn!
I’m thining of getting the Chase Sapphire credit card to start banking points for future trips. Not sure if it worth it to get it for this trip’s hotels/Air BnBs though (new to the whole points thing…)
You’ve heard of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, though 
?
Then again, behind many travel sites are small/individual publishers, who depend on sponsorship.
My situation had been the reverse when I bought coverage for my daughter. I of course knew of Allianz as a European insurance conglomerate (yet, not from a health-coverage standpoint). However, for travel (health) insurance, everybody had seemed to mention GeoBlue, when I checked at the time.
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I was supposed to go to a conference in Washington D.C. last week but was in the hospital. I paid something like $10 for trip insurance from Allianz. I just submitted the claim. It’s just for 3 nights in a hotel, $439.75. I got a full refund from the conference and my traveling companion got a refund from Amtrak so the only expense left was the hotel. I will post the results once I have them. I sent in the discharge summary from the hospital as documentation.
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Thanks, DigitalDad! Good to know GeoBlue is related to Blue Cross.
Hope you are feeling better, oldmom4896!
Thanks again for the referrals. Booked with geo blue!! 
It was just too overwhelming to compare all the evaluative websites, etc. etc.
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