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BVI Travel Insurance Question
#266355
10/21/2021 09:15 AM
10/21/2021 09:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 31 Tryon, NC
Dirk Lovelace
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 31
Tryon, NC
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Hi Everyone, I had a question about travel insurance to meet the BVI guidelines. I am inserting the link from the website as well as the part about travel insurance: https://bvi.gov.vg/travel-protocols Travel insurance (visitors) which includes minimum approved coverage for: o COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalisation, doctor’s visit and prescriptions o medical repatriation o quarantine accommodation costs This seems vague to me in terms of required coverage. Does anyone have any insight to what is considered minimum coverage related to covid, i.e. - quarantine cost, emergency evacuation related to illness, etc? Thanks in advance Dirk
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#266367
10/21/2021 09:27 AM
10/21/2021 09:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Here is a link for a locally built/sold insurance policy. It was built in partnership with the BVI authorities. I'm not suggesting anyone purchase this particular policy but it is a good reference for the required coverage.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#266403
10/21/2021 11:01 AM
10/21/2021 11:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968
Middleburg, VA
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Jason,
I will probably use this ( the Aura) plan if BVI is still requiring insurance in January.
Just to be clear, as far as I can tell, looks like the Aura Assistance Travel Plan does not cover TRIP CANCELATION.
Chuck W.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Manpot]
#266412
10/21/2021 11:35 AM
10/21/2021 11:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968
Middleburg, VA
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and now that the portal has disappeared.... hmmmm..... Lots of humming going on .
Chuck W.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#266414
10/21/2021 11:45 AM
10/21/2021 11:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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I will also add that prior to the Gateway requirement being removed, all the guests we had last year entered with a letter from their US Insurer that they were covered internationally for medical care. It was always excepted without question. No mention of COVID, quarantine, or repatriation.
Personally, if someone asked at entry I would just show my US Health Insurance card and verbally state it covers me for international care. If you're someone who isn't willing to lose a deposit, you might consider general travel insurance. Deposit refunds were hit or miss in 2020 based on individual businesses and we don't know what's coming next.
Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 10/21/2021 11:47 AM.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#266419
10/21/2021 12:20 PM
10/21/2021 12:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968
Middleburg, VA
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Horizon Yacht Charters has a list of Caribbean Travel Insurance options on their web site. Caribbean Travel InsuranceWorld Nomads is at a similar price as Aura, covers cancellations, and quarantine. They too will supply you with letter stating the covered benefits if requested.
Chuck W.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#266491
10/21/2021 10:41 PM
10/21/2021 10:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 738 Panama City Beach, Florida
xrayman67
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 738
Panama City Beach, Florida
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Traveled to BVI via ferry STT to BVI today. The only person that asked about insurance was Smiths Ferry, but did not want to look at paperwork. She only asked if I had insurance. Smiths left exactly on time 430pm and arrived in Road Town at 530pm. We were tested and thru customs at 6pm sharp. Everyone was very friendly and polite. We are very excited to be here again this year! We are on s/v Allegro. Say hello if you see us. We will be flying a red "Jolly Rogder".
Last edited by xrayman67; 10/21/2021 10:51 PM.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#266530
10/22/2021 09:33 AM
10/22/2021 09:33 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 206 NLR AR, USA
Galeaux
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 206
NLR AR, USA
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We got here last week through EIS and were never asked for insurance info.
Melissa & Doug
"If you really wanna know where you can find me, I'll be unwinding, Down in the islands, down in the islands" Zac Brown Band
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: bagsarepacked]
#266581
10/22/2021 02:55 PM
10/22/2021 02:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 31 Tryon, NC
Dirk Lovelace
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 31
Tryon, NC
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
Hi bagsarepacked, I have BC/BS MA and could not get a straight answer when I called them...we made a last minute decision to go to BVI before high season so I just took whatever the easy surething was but good to know for future reference though I hope all this is behind us my next year...I think this is what I thought earlier this year but hope it turns out to be the last wave. Thanks Dirk
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: bagsarepacked]
#266596
10/22/2021 04:39 PM
10/22/2021 04:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
The requirements have not changed; they are just better documented and publicized now. As you know from May, your insurance was accepted even though BCBS does not provide quarantine expenses or medical repatriation. Personally, I'd travel with that same coverage. You probably won't even be asked to show it on arrival.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#266916
10/25/2021 04:44 PM
10/25/2021 04:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 674 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 674
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
Hi bagsarepacked, I have BC/BS MA and could not get a straight answer when I called them...we made a last minute decision to go to BVI before high season so I just took whatever the easy surething was but good to know for future reference though I hope all this is behind us my next year...I think this is what I thought earlier this year but hope it turns out to be the last wave. Thanks Dirk Dirk, To get the BCBS letter you have to contact their overseas department. At least this is what we did using our BCBS Government insurance in January.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: wmmoorejr]
#267960
11/05/2021 10:52 AM
11/05/2021 10:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968
Middleburg, VA
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Be sure to read read the fine print...
BVI was/is requiring TRIP insurance not just HEALTH insurance.
Difference is, TRIP insurance covers some health care cost, but also things like trip cancelation, lost luggage, delays and "cost for Covid quarantine".
These things that regular health care does not cover is what BVI is/was requiring.
Also know that the health care portion of most TRIP insurance policies is called "Secondary" meaning it only covers any remaining cost after your regular health care policy has paid out.
Since I have HEALTH care that covers me for issues outside the US, I really don't need the "Health" portion of the TRIP insurance policy. Have not seen a TRIP insurance policy that only covers TRIP related issues w/o HEALTH.
Chuck W.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#267967
11/05/2021 12:42 PM
11/05/2021 12:42 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 835 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 835
Redmond, WA
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On the last three trips we got the Moorings travel insurance. Not the best deal, but easy to add to charter contract and not too likely to be questioned.
Since Moorings have stopped offering that, we went with a policy by IMG sold through insubuy.com... about $150 for 2 people for 4 weeks.
Since we did not have to got through the BVI portal we didn't have to upload the policy. Someone may have glanced at it in the BVI, but certainly nobody was checking the details.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: bagsarepacked]
#268096
11/06/2021 02:06 PM
11/06/2021 02:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,375 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,375
Washington DC
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
Bags- We have the exact same coverage BCBS IL....in June we got travel insurance but this time was thinking of just using the BCBS coverage. What specifically did you get to show proof of the BCBS IL international coverage? Thanks in advance
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Dirk Lovelace]
#268858
11/12/2021 09:58 AM
11/12/2021 09:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 20 Northeastern Massachusetts
Jim B
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 20
Northeastern Massachusetts
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
Hi bagsarepacked, I have BC/BS MA and could not get a straight answer when I called them...we made a last minute decision to go to BVI before high season so I just took whatever the easy surething was but good to know for future reference though I hope all this is behind us my next year...I think this is what I thought earlier this year but hope it turns out to be the last wave. Thanks Dirk I have BC/BS of MA. I spoke to them 3 days ago. They said I was covered, and emailed me a form letter stating the same. The only hook I could see was that I need to pay the bill, then seek reimbursement from BC/BS.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Jim B]
#268862
11/12/2021 10:11 AM
11/12/2021 10:11 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
Hi bagsarepacked, I have BC/BS MA and could not get a straight answer when I called them...we made a last minute decision to go to BVI before high season so I just took whatever the easy surething was but good to know for future reference though I hope all this is behind us my next year...I think this is what I thought earlier this year but hope it turns out to be the last wave. Thanks Dirk I have BC/BS of MA. I spoke to them 3 days ago. They said I was covered, and emailed me a form letter stating the same. The only hook I could see was that I need to pay the bill, then seek reimbursement from BC/BS. This is what all of our guests travelled with this year. No issues.
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Re: BVI Travel Insurance Question
[Re: Jim B]
#268953
11/13/2021 05:21 PM
11/13/2021 05:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 40 Baltimore, MD
McLovin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 40
Baltimore, MD
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I also asked the travel board and was told if your insurance covers outside of the US it is fine......my specific question was if the global health care coverage I have (BC/BS IL) that I used for entry in May would cover me for this trip.
Hi bagsarepacked, I have BC/BS MA and could not get a straight answer when I called them...we made a last minute decision to go to BVI before high season so I just took whatever the easy surething was but good to know for future reference though I hope all this is behind us my next year...I think this is what I thought earlier this year but hope it turns out to be the last wave. Thanks Dirk I have BC/BS of MA. I spoke to them 3 days ago. They said I was covered, and emailed me a form letter stating the same. The only hook I could see was that I need to pay the bill, then seek reimbursement from BC/BS. I have a new twist on ferry dock boarding. Our BC/BS cards only have my wife's name on them as she holds the policy. RTFF wouldn't sell me a ticket without something with my name on it. We were able to get on-line and pull up proof of insurance with both names from the web site. That was good enough. We had 10 minutes to spare!
Mike in Baltimore
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