Can I purchase Travel Insurance while abroad?

Eloise_Rodgers

Hello! Total newbie to the MSE forum - so please be nice!

My partner and I are currently in India on a RTW trip. We are flying back to the UK on the 16/05/2012 (a week away) and our old travel insurance has expired.

Our previous travel insurance expired at the end of March, and to be honest we've been a bit lazy with it.

Insure and Go, our provider, said that we couldn't buy insurance with them as we were not in the UK.

Looking online, companies like World Nomads and World Wide Insure want to charge £50+ for a weeks worth of cover, as that is all we require.

We're hoping some of you more knowledgeable types may be able to help us find a better deal! We are penny pinching backpackers on the quest to save as much as we can!!!:j

Thank you very much everyone!
Eloise

xxx

InsideInsurance

Other than the insurers you mention almost everyone covers you only if you buy before travelling. If you buy whilst travelling it smells too much of you being aware of a problem hence buying it now with the intent of claiming the issue only happened a few days after buying it.

You could try a broker but to be honest, given the circumstances I doubt you will get it that much cheaper.

Eloise_Rodgers

Hi InsideInsurance, thanks for that.

We only really require travel insurance for if our flights get delayed and we miss a very tight connecting flight, or any other unforeseen things happen during our flight to the UK.

Obviously things could happen to us en route, but the main reason for us requiring travel insurance is for the flight home.

So at this stage, would you recommend World Nomads or the other company?

Thank you very much!

Eloise

Caz3121

you mention a tight connection, is this all booked on one ticket, if so the airline will sort out puting you on a later flight if necessary. If on separate tickets and it is indeed a tight connection, you may find that the insurance will not cover you if you have not allowed sufficient time so it may be worth checking the wording on any policies you look at

Eloise_Rodgers

HI Caz, thanks for getting back to me!
Our flight was booked through kayak, and is with Saudi Airlines, leaving Mumbai to Riyadh, then on to Jeddah (the two latter destinations in Saudi Arabia).

So we're on Saudi Airlines the whole way, our concern is that after our Riyadh>Jeddah connection, we have a 25 minute window to get to our London bound connection. It seems very tight to me!

I exchanged emails with their customer service, and couldn't get any clarity on whether they would put us on another flight if the previous plane is delayed/late etc. They offered an alternative flight the following day from Mumbai, but our India visa expires on the 16th, so we need to be gone on that day. (Tight I know!) Then they offered a full refund! We refused that because we got the tickets very cheaply months ago and a new ticket with another airline now would be far too expensive.

So really what we need to know is if they are obligated to put us on another flight if the previous plane is late. It would seem totally ridiculous if they didn't, but hopefully some of you guys could help us on that. Otherwise, the insurance issue might not be as pressing.

With 5 days now until our flight, is it likely insurance companies would touch us with a barge pole?!

Thanks a lot everyone! :j
Eloise X

Caz3121

I thought Kayak was just a search engine, who have you paid your money to? Is it directly to Saudi Airlines? or an agent. I cannot imagine a 25 minute connection onto an international flight will be within the minimum connection time so I would concentrate on getting this sorted out in advance. Does the Riyad - Jeddah and Jeddah - London flights all have the same reference number. I would have thought the system would not allow them to book under MCT. I have never flown with Saudi or been to Jeddah airport so may be wrong but as a frequent flier is sounds odd to me. My concern would be that they are different bookings and then neither the airline or insurance would help you (insurance would likely reject due to not leaving enough time to make the flight)

DCFC79

Caz it is a search engine but you can also book hotels(might when your going) at least, i presume flights are the same

Mrsmoneypenny

I live in Saudi Arabia and have for 30+ years.
This is something that Saudi Arabian airlines do as a matter of course, we all know that it is impossible to land on time, collect your bags and then walk to the next gate, which can be quite a long way before the gate closes.
One thing we in Saudi also know is that Saudi Arabian airlines are never late - they are rescheduled! This is the company line.
We have had this problem many times when sitting in the Saudi Arabian airlines office. We point out that there is no way we can make the connection and they smile and carry on. Sitting face to face you have to be very persistent with the staff to get exactly what you (the customer) wants.
I should also point out, in case you are unaware, that no matter how long you may be stuck in Saudi, you will not, under any circumstances be allowed to leave the airport to stay in a hotel even if you do miss your flight. If you transited through Saudi you will be aware that ladies should cover up.
What I would suggest when you get on your flight, tell the crew of your predicament. They are really helpful, as long as you are polite and calm. They will do as much as possible to help you out. Try to sit as near to the front of the plane as possible. Flights from Asia to Saudi are usually very full and the amount of hand luggage that people are allowed to carry on is ridiculous, this can all add to delays once you land.
Hope this helps and hope you make your connection.

Mrsmoneypenny

Also prebook your seats, Saudia website can be a bit confusing, but its worth trying to book a seat near the front.
Because most passengers will be coming to Saudi to work and possibly traveling for the first time they dont usually prebook.
Also go to the bathroom as soon as you get on! It can get a bit interesting after a short time.

Eloise_Rodgers

Hi everyone, thank you for getting back so fast!

Looking back, it looks as if our tickets were booked through Kayak, but payment went direct to Saudi Airlines.

Our reference number is the same for all 3 flights to London. I presume this is a good thing?!

On the Saudi Airline website, when we check our details, it even comes up with a warning saying there may not be enough time with our connection! How ridiculous!

Mrsmoneypenny, thanks for the seat booking advice! We did that for the crucial connection, we reserved as far forward as we could, but we're still behind 1st class! :eek: Fingers crossed on that one!

Even more concerning, quickly checking the terms and conditions page out on their site - No alcohol on board the plane! :beer:

We're probably going to take a gamble with the insurance now, especially if they wouldn't pay out anyway.

Is there anything more we can do to try and make this 20 minute window more possible? Like trying to get an earlier connection from Mumbai? I don't know how feasible this is, or whether they would take pity on us at the check in counter.

Thank you everyone for all your help with this.

Eloise X

Mrsmoneypenny

We are a dry country:beer: Will be in UK though by Friday, flying Emirates though!

Saudi film selection is terrible, if it works at all!

I cant understand why any agent would use Saudi Airlines, I have seen many people at airports that have these cheaper seats and all seem to have had problems of one sort or another.

At check in ask for an upgrade, it will help if you are covered up (no shorts/ arms/knees on show) If that fails once you get on board ask the staff to move you. They usually do. If you attract their attention they will simply ask another passenger to move.

Even if you dont want to cover up at check in, please take something with you for the airport, you will stick out like a sore thumb and the attention is not always nice.

The best you can hope for on a Saudi flight is that the plane arrives. Check that it is flying that day. Sounds a bit odd but we have had times flying from Sri Lanka when the flight has been cancelled the day before. They put us up in a hotel for the night, all expenses paid. So please check that it is flying.

Do you have checked baggage as well? Ask them to mark it urgent. If it doesnt arrive into UK with you ask at your airport about having it delivered to your home address.

Sounds a bit negative, but from experience of SAA over the years these are just a few suggestions that may help.