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The story of how I saved money, quit my job, sold my possessions,
and set off to endlessly travel by bike around the world.
My Plan
My 3 Books
I write, self publish and sell
books about touring
(see
all 3 book)
HOME
Where am I?
Videos
Picture
Gallery
Journals
Travel Plan
Finances
Shopping
Equipment
My
Books
About
Me
Media/Press Room
Contact
Photo Use Info
Subscribe to Newsletter
Read Sample
Continue My Travels
Places I have been
(How can I
afford this?)
India and Neighbors
May 2010 to present
Alaska
/ Canada / USA
May 2008 to April 2010
New Zealand
Sept 2007 to May 2008
Australia
Sept 2006 to Sept 2007
SE Asia / China
Nov 2004 to Sept 2006
South
America
June 2003 to June 2004
AZ, Mexico, and
Central America
March 2002 to April 2003
How I started
The 5 years before I left
Sign up for my RoadNews Newsletter
Written on the road as I travel around the world on my bicycle
*Help
Support this Web Site and Continue My Travels.
Equipment Pages Index
Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some
Advice About Advice
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers
(See
more about Sponsorship)
START
HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Custom Touring Bicycles and Bike Upgrade Buyers Guide
Bicycle Touring Frames
The
Steel Repair Myth.
Steel
and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs
Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Kickstands
Sealed Cartridge Headsets
How to prevent flat tires
Bike Route Trails and Maps
Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground
Cloth
Sleeping
Bag
Sleeping
Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water
Filter
First
Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp
Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts
Electrical
Short-wave
Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3
Bicycle touring lights
Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping
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International
travel health insurance has been one of the most difficult things for me
to figure out while on my overseas bicycle tour. When I quit my job in
2002, I had employer sponsored health insurance, as is typical in the
USA. I could
have continued my health insurance coverage for 18 months under COBRA for a
whopping US$300 (and that was back in 2002) a month but that would
have destroyed my budget. I elected to travel without health insurance. A year later, I was still trying to figure out what to do. Through
internet research, I came across overseas health insurance that would cover
me while traveling abroad (outside the USA). It was basic
catastrophic health insurance with a high deductible. However, the premium increased from $400 a year in 2003 to $1500 a year in 2008. The
only claim I made was for a check up I had done in Bangkok, Thailand.
In 2008, I planned to
stay in the USA for an extended period of time and wanted to have health
coverage there. Again, the hunt was on for health insurance
coverage for the small business I had started over the last few years. Now I
was looking for insurance that would cover me in the USA and abroad. I
didn’t want to switch health insurance companies again because of the
hassle.
My
requirements for health insurance:
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Coverage in and out of the USA |
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High deductible so my monthly premium
would be low |
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Provider network throughout the USA so I
would be covered in all the states (the cost of health care is
substantially cheaper in a provider network) but with the option
of going to a doctor outside the network. |
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Affordable monthly premiums |
A few tips and
considerations when looking for travel health insurance:
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Be sure
to examine the details of any insurance plan that
you consider. |
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Pay attention to
exclusions for "dangerous" sports. Bungee jumping and sky-diving are
frequently not covered. Make sure cycling isn't hiding in the list of
exclusions as well. |
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What are the
deductibles? Could you cover the initial cost out-of-pocket? |
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Are you covered
anywhere or only at specific doctors/hospitals? |
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Are claims paid
directly to the doctor/hospital or reimbursed after you have already
paid? |
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Do they provide
referrals to English speaking doctors? |
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Check to see if medical
evacuations are covered when traveling abroad. If something serious comes
up and you need to be flown back to your home country, will you be
covered? |
(see
my finance pages)
More Videos below More
videos about finances here
All of my videos here
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Bicycle Touring
Tips & Advice
(see all Equipment
Pages)
Touring Bicycles
Panniers
Racks
Saddles
Tires
Lights
Fenders
Tents
Sleeping
Bags
Camping
Mattress
Camp Stove
Water
Filter
Pots and Pans
First
Aide Kits
Solar Power for Camp
Much MORE
Gear Here!
Sponsors (how?)
Cycle Touring Racks: Why chromoly steel is best.
Heavy Duty Travel Tested
Sealed Cartridge Hubs.
Take a look at the strongest hubs built specifically for touring
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Video PodCast
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Health
Insurance for Overseas International Travel, Bicycle Touring and Living
Overseas
