Long Term Travel Insurance and Health Cover for Working Holiday

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  toniyellow on 05/01/2015 - 13:01

  +1

  I did a 12 month J1 working holiday to the US several years ago which also required proof of insurance for the duration of the stay.

  At the time I compared a heap of travel insurance companies. Many had a clause that did not cover you if you were working. Of the ones that allowed working, the cheapest at that time was World Nomads. Looks like they still cover it, depending on the job. http://service.worldnomads.com/customer/portal/articles/1063…
  I also wanted to use them as they allow you to extend the policy whilst you were overseas, and I wasn't sure if I would travel afterwards or not. I can't remember why that was important anymore (cheaper? better?), but at the time I did want the option to extend the policy instead of taking out a new one if I travelled afterwards.

  I didn't take out two policies, as the travel insurance covered medical.

  I was injured falling on some ice, on a day off from my job at the time. The hospital bill was $19,000 (just stitches, but it was the US and they are crazy) and they covered it, the ambulance and taxis to and from the hospital for the follow up. It didn't cover lost earnings, but I only had a few days off work.

  I don't know if they are still the cheapest, that was 5 years ago, and I understand they have changed underwriters since, but they were very good to deal with at the time, I would recommend looking into them as an option.

  • 

    Davo1111 on 05/01/2015 - 15:07

    +1

    I also wanted to use them as they allow you to extend the policy whilst you were overseas, and I wasn't sure if I would travel afterwards or not. I can't remember why that was important anymore (cheaper? better?), but at the time I did want the option to extend the policy instead of taking out a new one if I travelled afterwards.

    Just FYI, it's not really an extenstion. They charge you for the extra time, but not the additional processing fee like they would with a new policy. It's classified as a new policy, because if you injure yourself on the first policy, and the issue reoccurs on the second, you're not covered as it's a "pre existing" condition. Best to get a longer policy from the start.

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  Pootie Tang on 05/01/2015 - 15:16

  +1

  Defo go world nomads, no better on the market from what I have used. Great to deal with if you have an issue and you can renew whilst over there.

  One policy should do it regarding health and insurance, when I did my work visa they also said I needed a few thousand in the bank, they don't check unless you are wearing a "Canada Sucks" t-shirt. I didn't have insurance (fool) either. I crossed via train/bus from Seattle though.

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  spellegrino on 05/01/2015 - 15:56

  I've just come back from a working holiday in Europe(Sweden) i used TID but because i didn't know how long id be away i took 6 months then when i was there longer i just logged into the website and added more time you still pay the bulk rate so its allot cheaper then getting a new policy :)

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  nostril on 05/01/2015 - 17:02

  Thanks everyone for your help. It looks as though I'll have to actually have a paid up policy for 24 months to present to immigration on arrival in order to be granted a 24 month visa. After doing a little bit of research, there aren't many companies that will offer a 24 month policy. However, looks as though Worlds Nomands do so might have to give them a crack!