Tag: Insurance

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A check on insurance policy can help home based businesses make sure they’re covered

A check on insurance policy can help home based businesses make sure they’re covered

When Ana Maria Moreno decided to leave her career in social work to start a home-based business last year, she found herself facing a daunting to-do list that included everything from logo design to marketing strategy to customer outreach.

The Calgary woman — who runs her business out of her own kitchen, making and selling empanadas and other traditional foods from her native Colombia — acknowledges checking her insurance policy was the farthest thing from her mind.

“I didn’t think about it. I had all these people telling me I need to advertise, I need a logo, I should work on a trademark. It was a lot,” Mereno said. “I was just busy cooking food. I definitely didn’t think of everything.”

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Working from home for the foreseeable future? It could impact your home insurance

There are thousands of home-based businesses in Canada, running the gamut from hair salons to consulting firms to daycares — many run by first-time business owners.

Experts say new business owners should be aware that the typical home insurance policy offers only a small coverage limit for books, tools and instruments necessary for a business or profession. But it’s easy for entrepreneurs to get so caught up in the day-to-day demands of their new enterprise that they never even think about insurance, said Patricia Sheridan, Toronto-based director at insurance brokerage Burns & Wilcox.


“We see it a lot. I think a lot of the time it just does not occur to them,” Sheridan said.

“It’s typically not the first thing on people’s minds when they’re starting up a business.”

Not every home-based business operator will require specialized insurance coverage. Depending on the type of business, home-based business operators may or may not require a separate business insurance policy or an extension to their existing homeowners’ policy.

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But it’s worth a phone call to find ask, Sheridan said. The last thing any business operator wants is to find out too late that their homeowners’ policy doesn’t allow for their specific type of business activity on the premises.

“The implications are that if they don’t have any other coverage for their business, and they think they’re just covered under their homeowners’ policy, their homeowners’ policy might cancel them if they find out about it,” Sheridan said. “Or if there is a claim they might not cover it.”


Anne Marie Thomas, director of consumer and industry relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said individual business insurance needs vary widely.

“If you’re a one-person operation knitting tuques for babies, then the liability risk for the business is minimal. It’s you and some knitting needles and some wool,” she said. “But if you’re having a business where you’re having clients coming in and out of your home, that’s an increased liability risk for the insurance company.”

One scenario that should be considered by every home-based business operator include the possibility of a client falling and injuring themselves walking up the steps to the home. Another is the risk of being sued because of a problem with a product or service provided by the business. Personal liability on a home insurance policy wouldn’t cover these situations, but commercial liability insurance would.

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Some home-based entrepreneurs may also have thousands of dollars worth of products or inventory sitting in their basement. That’s worth talking to your insurance company about, Thomas said.

Any business that involves building or manufacturing something within the confines of a home could also present liability concerns, Thomas added.

“To go to an extreme, if you’re building firecrackers in your home, that’s something where an insurance company is probably going to say, ‘I don’t think so,’” she said.

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Every business and every insurance policy is unique, so that’s why it’s important for new entrepreneurs to talk to their brokers and be up-front about their specific situation and needs.

Thomas recommends home-based business operators touch base with their insurance representatives as soon as the business is launched, and that they keep in touch regularly as the business grows and evolves. Having a comprehensive risk management plan in place doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and can provide necessary peace of mind, she said.

“With insurance, it’s better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it,” she said.

© 2021 The Canadian Press

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Does Commercial Auto Insurance Have Deductibles?

Does Commercial Auto Insurance Have Deductibles?

The deductible on a commercial car business insurance policy works the same as it does for personal auto insurance. The deductible is the amount you’ll pay when there’s a claim on your policy. Consider the deductible the “self-insured” part of the policy, where you are responsible for paying for a portion of the repairs. Here’s a look at what a business owner needs to know about commercial auto coverage and deductibles.

What are auto insurance deductibles?

Your insurance deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket after you file an insurance claim because of an incident with your covered business vehicle. 

Deductible amounts vary; you and your insurer will determine your deductible amount when you form the policy. However, policyholders can change the deductible amount in the middle of a policy by calling their insurance carrier. 

The deductible shows up on collision and comprehensive claims but doesn’t apply if another car hits you and you need to get your car repaired. 

How do deductibles work for commercial auto insurance?

You pay the deductible when you get your car repaired. You’ll usually pay the deductible directly to the autobody shop before it releases your car back to you.

For example, let’s say you were in an at-fault accident that damaged your vehicle and your deductible is $500. Your first step is to file a claim with your insurance carrier to explain the accident’s circumstances. Next, the insurance carrier sends an adjuster to assess the damage and estimate what repairs would cost. In this case, let’s say the adjuster notes $5,000 in damages. 

Next, you’ll bring your car to a repair shop and provide the claim information. When your car is fixed, the shop will bill your insurance carrier for the total amount minus the deductible. When you pick up your car, you’ll pay your $500 deductible to the shop and leave with your newly repaired car. 

Did you know?Did you know? When considering insurance expenses and tax deductions, you can deduct your commercial auto insurance premiums and expenses if you use a vehicle exclusively for business purposes.

Types of commercial auto insurance deductibles

Commercial auto insurance deductibles apply only to your insurance policy’s comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. You can choose a separate deductible for each coverage to customize your policy. 

Collision coverage deductible

Collision coverage pays for repairing or replacing your vehicle if you hit something – a car, building, object or animal – and are at fault in the accident. Collision coverage doesn’t cover damage to what you hit; your general liability insurance covers those damages. 

When you engage your policy for collision coverage, you’ll need to pay the collision deductible. 

Deductibles vary from carrier to carrier, but most carriers offer policies that range from no deductible to a $2,000 deductible. Basically, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be.

Comprehensive coverage deductible

Comprehensive coverage kicks in for any type of loss other than a collision. For example, a comprehensive claim would cover someone stealing your car, a vandal slashing your tires or a tree branch falling on your car. Hail is another common source of comprehensive coverage claims. 

Comprehensive coverage also has its own deductible that you’ll set when you choose your business insurance policies. Like the collision deductible, it can range from nothing to $2,000, depending on the carrier. Also, as with the collision deductible, you’ll pay the deductible directly to the repair shop when you get your car fixed. 

What is the average auto insurance deductible paid on commercial vehicles?

Auto policyholders can select a $250; $500; $1,000; or $2,000 deductible for both comprehensive and collision coverage. Most drivers tend to take a middle ground with their deductible, finding the sweet spot between cost and coverage with a $500 deductible. 

Those who want additional savings might jump to a $1,000 deductible, while many find that a $2,000 deductible doesn’t provide enough savings to take on so much risk. 

FYIFYI: The best liability insurance carriers work with policyholders to find the sweet spot between coverage levels and deductible amounts.

What to consider when choosing a commercial auto policy with deductibles

When it comes to your deductible amount, your decision boils down to cost versus risk. As an insurance policyholder, you want to save as much money as possible, so you may be tempted to go with a higher deductible and lower premium.

But when you look at what you’d have to pay out of pocket in a claim, consider whether or not the lower premium is worth it. For many people, coming up with an extra $1,000 for a claim would be difficult. Even $500 can be burdensome. 

If the cost savings associated with a higher deductible aren’t substantial, you may be better off with a lower deductible while paying a few extra dollars a month for coverage. 

Do you pay a deductible every time for car insurance?

A commercial car insurance deductible doesn’t work like a health insurance deductible. In health insurance, the deductible goes toward the out-of-pocket maximum for the year. With auto insurance, there’s no ceiling; you’ll pay the deductible every time you file a collision or comprehensive insurance claim. 

So, if you have a $500 deductible and make three claims during your policy, you’ll pay a total of $1,500 to get your car repaired. 

Is it better to have a $500 or $1,000 deductible?

Choosing between a $500 and $1,000 deductible is a personal choice. Since this is the amount you’ll pay if you file a claim, you need to be comfortable with your out-of-pocket responsibility. 

A higher deductible can save you money on your insurance premium. You might be able to save as much as 40{1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a} on your premium when you jump from a $500 to a $1,000 deductible. If you aren’t likely to file many claims, the higher deductible may be a good option that’s worth it for the premium savings. 

If you have more frequent claims, consider a lower deductible to get the most out of your insurance. 

Did you know?Did you know? If you have a business owners insurance policy, be aware that it doesn’t include commercial auto insurance, disability insurance, health insurance or professional liability insurance.

Should you have a deductible on older cars?

As your car gets older, the cost of repairing it after an accident can exceed its fair market value. This means your car is likely to be totaled. If so, you’ll receive a check for its fair market value if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. For many, this is why paying for these coverages on an older car is often not worth it. 

When deciding if you should have a deductible on an older car, evaluate the amount you’d receive in a claim compared to what you’re paying for insurance. Some people decide to keep coverage in place because they feel getting something in a claim is better than nothing. 

What is splitting your deductible?

Splitting the deductible is when you choose different deductible options for collision and comprehensive coverage. You might have a $500 collision deductible and a $250 comprehensive deductible. Traditionally, the comprehensive deductible affects premium pricing less, and many policyholders prefer carrying less responsibility for events where they’re not at fault. 

Other policyholders keep things simple and choose the same deductible for both comprehensive and collision coverage. This takes the confusion out of claims, and the policyholder doesn’t have to guess which deductible will apply. 

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Has Saved Me $4,000+

Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Has Saved Me ,000+

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The first travel credit card I ever opened was the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card in 2014.

Having spent years diligently reading a collection of travel websites, this was the unanimously recommended credit card for beginners in the world of award travel. Its points were easy to use, and they were valuable enough to single-handedly fulfill bucket-list travel goals of mine (like visiting Machu Picchu and flying to the other side of the world in a lie-flat airplane seat).

I’ve received many thousands of dollars in value from earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points. But I’ve been thoroughly astonished at how much money I’ve saved from its ongoing benefits — namely, its various travel insurances.

I love using the card as part of my free-travel strategy. But its travel insurance is the reason I’ll never cancel it. Here are the ways it’s helped me over the years.

Primary rental car insurance has saved me $3,000+

Regular APR

15.99{1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a}-22.99{1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a} Variable

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Details


    • Pros
    • High sign-up bonus starts you off with lots of points
    • Strong travel coverage
    Cons
    • Doesn’t offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • Enjoy new benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases, plus more.
    • Get 25{1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a} more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
    • With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25{1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a} more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
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    Rental agency fees

    When you pay for your rental car with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and waive the rental agency’s collision damage waiver, you’ll automatically receive primary rental car insurance covering damage or theft. This is an excellent perk, because the rental company’s in-house insurance can easily cost $15 or more per day. 

    Read more: 5 Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits make it one of the most valuable credit cards, beyond a huge sign-up bonus and rewards

    I’ve used this benefit dozens of times, and have saved more than $800 from not being required to purchase proprietary insurance at the front desk.

    Damage to rental car

    During a trip to Ireland, I scraped my rental car against a cement pillar in a parking lot. The damage was minimal, though there was a bit of paint missing. I informed the rental company of the damage, and they told me they’d assess the damages and charge my card accordingly.

    A few days later, there appeared on my credit card a charge for $2,300 — exorbitant for the minimal damage done to the car. I contacted Chase, and after sending a few documents regarding the accident, they sent me a check for $2,300 to cover the bill. There were no headaches, and I had the check within a few weeks.

    Trip delay insurance has saved me $600

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best credit cards for trip delay insurance.

    When you reserve your flight with this card, Chase will reimburse you (and immediate family traveling with you) for “reasonable expenses” such as food, lodging, transportation, and toiletries if one of the following things applies to you:

    • Your flight is delayed by more than 12 hours
    • Your delay causes you to stay overnight

    You’ll be covered up to $500 per ticket.

    I’ve used trip delay insurance a handful of times, usually when I purchase a fare that is the last scheduled flight of the day. If my flight is delayed and I miss a connection, I’m stuck there until morning.

    Read more: Several Chase credit cards offer reimbursement for food and hotels if your trip is delayed — here’s how to file a claim

    Chase has reimbursed me hundreds of dollars over the years for things like:

    • Meals at the airport or at a restaurant
    • Rideshare expenses from the airport to a hotel
    • Hotel accommodations (nice ones, too)

    If your flight is delayed by 12 hours or warrants an overnight stay, you’re free to start swiping your card for free food, hotel, etc. Just file a claim and Chase will promptly refund you.

    Baggage delay insurance has saved me $500

    When you reserve your flight with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll receive automatic baggage delay insurance. If your checked bag is delayed by more than six hours, you’re entitled to up to $100 per day in necessities, for up to five days.

    Reasonable expenses include items like:

    • Clothing
    • Shoes
    • Toiletries
    • Phone chargers

    During a trip a few years ago, my bag was lost for over a week. I received the full $500 payout from this card benefit, and purchased a new suit and dress shoes, as I was going to a conference and my formal wear was in my checked bag. All things considered, I’d say that delay was worth it to receive $500 in clothes.

    Bottom line

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. It charges a $95 annual fee, but its travel insurance has already saved me more than 40x that fee.

    As long as the card continues to outperform its annual fee, I won’t be canceling it.

    Joseph Hostetler

    Credit cards reporter

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    U.S. reopening leads to surge in travel insurance sales

    U.S. reopening leads to surge in travel insurance sales

    “Travel medical insurance is essential for snowbirds given their age, long-trip durations and the fact that many of them have pre-existing medical conditions or at risk for experiencing medical issues,” he says. “Most snowbirds have always been diligent about purchasing travel medical insurance, even before the pandemic. Having said that, the pandemic may have been a wakeup call for the minority of snowbirds who may not have purchased travel insurance in the past.”

     

    What insurance providers are saying

    Travelweek reached out to several Canadian travel insurance providers to corroborate Snowbird Advisor’s findings. Both Allianz Global Assistance Canada and TuGo are reporting a definite uptick in Canadians purchasing and inquiring about travel insurance since Nov. 8.

    Brad Dance, Chief Customer Officer at TuGo, tells Travelweek that the Customer Service team has received an “unprecedented” amount of inquiries, with travellers ready to renew their annual policies as well as make new purchases. He also notes how the recent update to Canada’s testing requirements, which eliminates the need for a PCR test for trips 72 hours or less starting Nov. 30, will have an even bigger impact on travel insurance purchases.

    “The pandemic has brought on great pent-up travel demand and cross-border trips have always been an important travel market for TuGo,” says Dance. “Canadians took over 11 million auto trips across the line in 2019, making this market the largest segment of Canadian international travel.”

    A similar story is being shared by Allianz, which saw outbound sales in November reach nearly twice that of September. According to the company, while seasonality certainly plays a factor, the rapid growth is beyond what the company normally sees at this time of the year.

    “Opening the U.S. border has created an increase in insurance sales with U.S. as the destination,” the company tells Travelweek. “It’s also offered a larger signal – that travel is resuming, for all Canadians. As a result, we’ve seen growth in travel to many destinations around the world, not just the U.S.”

     

    What insurance products are best?

    At Allianz, a service called Pre-Trip Assistance is available that allows customers to get a better understanding of what to expect in their destination country and connect to resources for travel requirements and government advisories. With travel rules and restrictions constantly changing, Allianz says this service is proving to be more valuable than ever.

    “We always encourage customers to consider their specific and personal needs when travelling and recommend working with a trusted travel professional to ensure the right coverage for the right circumstances,” says Allianz.

    TuGo recommends its Multi Trip Annual Emergency Medical Insurance, which is now available with a two-day trip length, making it an ideal option for short or spontaneous trips across the border. This two-day policy option is even easier to purchase at any age as there isn’t a medical questionnaire (otherwise required for travellers 60+).

    Dance also notes that the Multi Trip Annual Emergency Medical Insurance is more economical than buying multiple single trip policies, and that travellers can leave at any time, without the hassle of re-applying each time. And with a family plan, family members can travel together or separately, and always be covered.

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    Business Insurance Market May See Big Move | Allianz, AXA, State Farm

    Business Insurance Market May See Big Move | Allianz, AXA, State Farm

    The ” Business Insurance – Market Development Scenario ” Study has been added to HTF MI database. The study covers in-depth overview, description about the Product, Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and growth status to 2027. At present, the market is developing its presence following current economic slowdown and its Impact. Some of the key players considered in the study are Allianz, AXA, Nippon Life Insurance, American Intl. Group, Aviva, Assicurazioni Generali, Cardinal Health, State Farm Insurance, Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance, Munich Re Group, Zurich Financial Services, Prudential, Asahi Mutual Life Insurance, Sumitomo Life Insurance, MetLife. The market size is broken down by relevant regions/countries, segments and application that may see potential uptrend or downtrend.

    Get Inside Scoop of the report, request for sample @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3692724-business-insurance-market-1

    “Keep yourself up-to-date with latest market trends and changing dynamics due to Economic Slowdown globally. Maintain a competitive edge by sizing up with available business opportunity in Business Insurance Market various segments and emerging territory.”

    Market Overview of Business Insurance:

    The Study covers exploration of all necessary data related to the Business Insurance market. All phase of the market is analyzed thoroughly in the Study to provide a review of the current market working. The estimates of the revenue generated of the market includes opportunity analysis using various analytical tools and past data. To better analyze the reasoning behind growth estimates detailed profile of Top and emerging player of the industry along with their plans, product specification and development activity.

    With qualitative and quantitative analysis, we help you with detailed and comprehensive study on the market. We have also focused on SWOT, PESTLE, and Porter’s Five Forces analyses of the
    Business Insurance market.

    Buy Single User License of Business Insurance Market – Global Outlook and Forecast 2021-2027 @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=3692724

    Scope of the Report

    On the Basis of Product Type of Business Insurance Market: , Commercial Property Insurance, Commercial Health Insurance & Other

    The Study Explores the Key Applications/End-Users of Business Insurance Market: Large Corporations, Small and Medium-Sized Companies & Personal

    On The basis of region, the Business Insurance is segmented into countries, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate in these regions, from 2014 to 2025 (forecast), see highlights below

    ** North America (USA & Canada) Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Analysis ({1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a}) and Opportunity Analysis
    ** South Central & Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico & Rest of Latin America) Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share ({1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a}) and Opportunity Analysis
    ** Europe (The United Kingdom., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Denmark & Rest of Europe) Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share ({1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a}) and Opportunity Analysis
    ** Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN Countries, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia) Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share ({1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a}) and Opportunity Analysis
    ** Middle East & Africa (GCC, South Africa, Kenya, North Africa, RoMEA) Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share ({1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a}) and Opportunity Analysis
    ** Rest of World

    Know more about of Business Insurance market report , review synopsis and complete toc @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3692724-business-insurance-market-1

    Business Insurance Competitive Analysis:

    The key players are aiming innovation to increase efficiency and product life. The long-term growth opportunities available in the sector is captured by ensuring constant process improvements and economic flexibility to spend in the optimal schemes. Company profile section of players such as Allianz, AXA, Nippon Life Insurance, American Intl. Group, Aviva, Assicurazioni Generali, Cardinal Health, State Farm Insurance, Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance, Munich Re Group, Zurich Financial Services, Prudential, Asahi Mutual Life Insurance, Sumitomo Life Insurance, MetLife includes its basic information like company legal name, website, headquarters, subsidiaries, its market position, history and 5 closest competitors by Market capitalization / revenue along with contact information.

    There are 15 Chapters to display the Business Insurance market
    Chapter 1, to describe Market Definition and Segment by Type, End-Use & Major Regions Market Size;
    Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;
    Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;
    Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);
    Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India & Central & South America, Business Insurance Segment Market Analysis (by Type);
    Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Business Insurance Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Business Insurance;
    Chapter 9, Global Production & Consumption Market by Type [, Commercial Property Insurance, Commercial Health Insurance & Other] and End-Use[Large Corporations, Small and Medium-Sized Companies & Personal];
    Chapter 10, Production Volume*, Price, Gross Margin, and Revenue ($) of Business Insurance by Regions (2020-2027). [* if applicable]
    Chapter 11, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;
    Chapter 12, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Business Insurance.;
    Chapter 13,14, to describe Business Insurance sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.

    Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/3692724-business-insurance-market-1

    Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Oceania, LATAM, South America, NORDIC, West Europe, Europe or Southeast Asia.

    See Campaign: http://htfmarketreport.com
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    Contact US : Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)
    HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited
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    Family relying on travel insurance hit by big medical bills

    Family relying on travel insurance hit by big medical bills

    Duy Hoa Tran, a retired Vietnamese schoolteacher, arrived in Los Angeles in February 2020 to visit his daughter and 2-month-old grandson. Two weeks later, the door closed behind him. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Vietnam shut its borders. No commercial flights would be allowed into the country for the next 18 months.

    Tran’s daughter, An Tran, who has a doctorate in business administration and teaches marketing at the University of La Verne, did what she thought was necessary to ensure medical coverage for her then-65-year-old father during the pandemic. But the only option for a visitor on a tourist visa was travel insurance. In early March 2020, An Tran found and purchased a policy, for about $350 a month, from a company called Seven Corners.

    She might as well not have bothered.

    The elder Tran had been staying at An’s home in Diamond Bar about a year when he told his daughter he was having trouble seeing out of his right eye. A visit to an ophthalmologist produced a solemn verdict: Tran had severe glaucoma and would quickly go blind unless he got surgery.

    Seven Corners gave written preapproval for the procedures recommended by Dr. Brian Chen. To be safe, An Tran called the insurer “many times” to confirm it would cover the expense, but no one she spoke with would give her a definitive answer, she said. Chen, however, assured An that insurance companies typically covered the treatment, which was pretty routine.

    On April 19, Tran underwent the first of three eye surgeries to resolve the glaucoma. The surgeries — the last was on July 19 — were successful. And then on Aug. 5, Seven Corners sent An Tran a denial of service letter.

    The company’s policy excluded coverage for any “preexisting condition,” by which it meant any condition “whether or not previously manifested, symptomatic, known, diagnosed, treated or disclosed,” the letter said.

    An Tran and her father were on the hook for nearly $38,000 in medical bills, although Seven Corners had preauthorized the surgery and she had paid around $6,000 for the insurance over the previous year and a half.

    As for the bill, “my dad obviously can’t pay it,” Tran said. His $260 monthly pension from the Vietnamese government isn’t enough even for him to live on in Vietnam, she said.

    The surgical procedures Duy Hoa Tran received are quite routine in the United States, said Dr. Davinder Grover, an ophthalmologist in the Dallas area and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

    Medicare would generally pay about a quarter of the $37,896.83 that Tran was billed for the surgeries, Grover said. If Tran’s daughter had known beforehand that insurance wouldn’t cover the procedures, the physician’s practice might have been willing to charge something like $12,000, he said.

    The policy An Tran purchased had no deductible and offered coverage of up to $100,000 in medical bills, including COVID-19 care. But travel insurance generally covers only emergency or urgent medical expenses, according to the California state insurance commission, which regulates policies in the state.

    Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer for Squaremouth, which aggregates various companies’ travel insurance plans — including some from Seven Corners — and offers them through its website, said the policy language was not unusual for travel insurance. She noted the policy’s stipulation that it covered some acute conditions only if the patient sought treatment within 24 hours of the initial symptoms.

    Moncrief said the fact that Tran did not seek treatment immediately may be the reason his surgeries weren’t covered. (Seven Corners refused all comment on the case.) She acknowledged it was hardly surprising he hadn’t dashed to the doctor at the first sign of discomfort: “I don’t know that I would have done that either, if I just had blurry vision.”

    As for Seven Corners’ refusal to pay despite precertification, this is not uncommon, she said. By precertifying, the insurer verifies that a procedure is a covered benefit, but doesn’t guarantee the insurer will cover it for that particular patient.

    Travel insurance typically offers little protection for any health problem linked to a preexisting condition, regardless of whether that condition has ever been diagnosed, says Susan Yates, general manager in the U.S. for Falck Global Assistance, an international insurer.

    “For visitors to the U.S., especially those who are not permanent residents or citizens, it can be difficult to obtain health insurance,” she said. The Affordable Care Act doesn’t cover tourists, though some resident noncitizens can buy coverage.

    “It’s usually better for a visitor to buy travel insurance from their country of origin, but in some countries (Vietnam being one), the insurance market is not developed,” Yates wrote in an email.

    Tran had tried unsuccessfully for months to fly home to his town near Ho Chi Minh City, where his wife lives with another grandchild. On 14 occasions, An bought him tickets on regular commercial flights that were subsequently canceled. He was also unable to get a seat on charter flights arranged by the Vietnamese government; those tickets generally were available only through third parties charging up to $10,000.

    The eye surgeon, Chen, offered to discuss the case with KHN, but his medical group’s counsel said it had a policy against discussing insurance issues with reporters, even with the patient’s consent.

    After KHN approached him to discuss the issue, Chen told An Tran that he was waiving his $8,144 fee for the surgeries. The Acuity Eye Group, where he practices, would not immediately confirm Chen’s offer, but told An Tran it was seeking approvals to waive his fee and all other charges as well.

    On Sept. 15, Duy Hoa Tran finally managed to get on a charter flight back to Vietnam. He’s happy to be home, An Tran said.

    Under California’s filial responsibility laws, she could be liable for his remaining bills.

    KHN (Kaiser Health News) is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), an endowed nonprofit organization that provides information on national health issues.