Insurance Recommendations?

As of last week, I have no health insurance, and I'm already terrified.  I am unable to use the NHS until August.  Is there anything out there that will cover me while I'm living in the UK, and also when I'm visiting home in the US, or do I need two separate plans?  I remember when I was looking before my move I had a very difficult time sorting through my options (and this is coming from someone who spent two years working for a commercial brokerage!)

Can I ask why you won't be able to use the NHS as soon as you get there?  Can you not under the prospective student visa?

Vicky

Try BUPA they have international coverage but not sure if it covers USA

I think that if you are resident in the UK now (sorry, I can't recall what your background is at the mo!), you should be able to buy UK private insurance that would provide coverage in the US (usually called something like 'world-wide cover'). Sometimes it's an add-on to the policy and sometimes it's part of the policy. Bear in mind though, that the cheapest policies are not going to offer this.

However, make sure you find out about cancelling the policy in August if you need to as while I'm not sure, I would think some places might charge a penalty for it.

My visa is closer to a visitor visa than a student visa, and since it's only for 6 months I can't use the NHS.  I'm not too concerned about coverage in the US yet, as I'm not planning to be back here until December, but I'll look into BUPA.  Thanks!

My visa is closer to a visitor visa than a student visa, and since it's only for 6 months I can't use the NHS.  I'm not too concerned about coverage in the US yet, as I'm not planning to be back here until December, but I'll look into BUPA.  Thanks!

Closer to a visitor visa? But which visa is it? That will help to answer the question. If you're here now and not going back until December, that's longer than a visitor's visa, isn't it?

Sorry, I was sort of responding to Vicky on that one, I have a prospective student visa that will get me through August, and then I will have a student visa and can get on the NHS.

Sorry, I was sort of responding to Vicky on that one,

Ah. Sorry. I work for the NHS and deal with questions like that all the time so I just thought maybe there was something I could add. But if you're essentially a visitor then I can't.... 

I agree - check BUPA. Though as mentioned earlier they may require a longer contract than you're in need of.....

If you have already got the firm offer can't you switch to a student visa earlier, which will give you coverage?

Vicky

Aetna Global has plans that will cover you here and the U.S., though to add the U.S. coverage ups the price. You can contact them for an information packet: http://www.aetnaglobalbenefits.com/default.jsp

I was going to go with them, but I found a better plan for my needs (pre-existing condition). As of April 1, I'm signing up with PruHealth, which doesn't cover me in the U.S. (perhaps it does in emergencies, I'll have to double check). The nice thing about this plan is they *reduce* rates annually if you don't have any claims that year and if you meet other optional "healthy living" things; and if you have a pre-existing condition, they will cover it after a two-year moratorium. I know you plan on being with the NHS by August, but just thought I'd mention it.

Thanks!  I will definitely get looking into it more when I lose the jet lag...  It is soooo  much easier to go West...

Vicky - How soon do you think I could get away with switching to a student visa?  I was under the impression that more than a month before classes begin was pushing it...  If I thought I could do it now I would!

Hmmm.  I'd talk to the international office of the University to ask what they think.  Or sah if he's around anywhere.  Perhaps ask in the student board.


Vicky

Three weeks ago my fiancee and I were in a very serious car crash just north of Oban. Long story short, they cut us from the car and we spent 4 days in Lorn & Isles Hospital. NHS would NOT find a way to get us home to Glasgow so we took a painful 120 mile ride by Glasgow taxi home. Where NHS promptly has treated us like crap considering our multiple broken bones and bashed up insides, follow up care has been horrid and we have had to handle everything and since the crash was 120 miles away Glasgow NHS has none of our records to see what was done to us, we are simply lucky our injuries were not greater... we are alive though which counts!

Although on a weekend holiday and having full UK through worldwide travel cover neither our RBS or Loyds Travel Insurance policies will handle us at all for travel or medical for us, waste of money there!

We decided to get private insurance for the future (2 year moratorium on any existing conditions so won't help us for accident recovery). I went to http://www.moneysupermarket.com/ put in my details and a broker found me the best deal, no work for me (good considering everything rather hurts at the moment).

We are under 30 so now have BUPA coverage at whatever the highest level is with no co-pay for £82/mo as a joint couple coverage... considering all, we'll accept that. 

Oh my goodness Greg, that's terrible!!!   Thank you so much for the story though, I had kind of been toying with easy, inexpensive travel insurance, but I think I will end up paying for BUPA after all...

Best wishes to you and your fiancee for a full and quick recovery!

Thanks for the well wishes, but we'll be alright! N has a dislocated & bruised leg in a cast and I have 4 broken ribs, broken clavicle and bruised kidney but we are on the mend!

I should note that we first contact N's German insurance company while we were in hospital care. They were ready within hours to air transport N back to Germany and me to the USA or Germany if we requested. However, they would not offer transport to our home in Glasgow 120 miles away! Basic premise was German insurance will transport home... to Germany, NOT to Glasgow as we are resident there.

Be very careful with what transport/foreign care options are available with international cover! For BUPA we did have to be registered with a GP for something around 90 days.