Alan2005

I'm sure plenty of people thought exactly that before they broke their legs on holiday. Anyway I don't see having travel insurance as living a boring risk free life (as you seem to be implying from the tone of your posts) - all it means is that my risks are hedged.

lilleclown

I agree. Taking into consideration that the US along with China are the most expensive places for foreigners to receive medical care, I wouldn't consider going without an insurance. But then again, I never do, even if it's to a "cheaper" country.

dbd33

May you live forever.

Alan2005

Seriously - I'd love that

R I C H

Is that a common holiday problem, underinsured and broken legs

lilleclown

Almost as common as losing your passport or misplacing your hotel room key

Aviator

If one has not had insurance for 20 years, saving of $2000. Cost of a broken arm and related treatment can be upwards of $20,000 without insurance, anything in the critical care unit $100,000+.

Personally I think its a no brainer. Even traveling within Canada, your provincial plan will only cover up to their cost, anything else you are on your own.

Alan2005

Dunno - I just made it up.

Though I can imagine it happens if you are doing winter sports or some such - I've been on ski trips where some of the people that went had no insurance, but luckily they didn't break their legs.

It's a simple equation of level of risk vs consequences vs cost of cover. The cost of the hedge is insignificant (and if you can afford to travel abroad on holiday several times a year it is insignificant) so why not cover it. Especially as the (admittedly very unlikely) worst case scenarios have the potential to ruin you financially.

Travelling without insurance doesn't turn you into some thrill seeking non conformist who spits in the eye of convention you know. I mean why not jump some sharks on a motorbike instead, at least you can then boast about how rebellious you are at dinner parties.

Auld Yin

Many of the elderly who winter vacation out of the country do so without extra coverage because their ages and existing conditions render the costs almost prohibitive or they're just too mean to pay. Financially it's a high risk venture because, as others have said, one could be ruined. It is a crap shoot with the percentage of those caught short being small, but nonetheless a risk. If they have assets, rest assured, that US hospitals/doctors will pursue them for the amount(s) owing.