Travel question

[KenInUtah]

Hey guys, can anyone answer this for me?

I have my Tourist Visa which I got with an invite from the Visa Agency (Visa Express) and I will be staying at my RWs apartment, not a Hotel.  I just read this:

Under the terms of the visa agreement, U.S. citizens applying for a tourist visa do not need a formal letter of invitation from a Russian party. However, tourists must have advance lodging reservations and arrangements with a tour operator for their first entry request and visa application. These arrangements must be in writing and presented with the visa application. While tourists should not be required to present this documentation on subsequent entries, travelers are advised to have this information available and with them. Travelers should also have their travel reservations and itinerary with them at the point of entry into Russia.

This was on the US State Department website.  Do I need a reservation somewhere?

[Anotherkiwi]

Hey guys, can anyone answer this for me?

I have my Tourist Visa which I got with an invite from the Visa Agency (Visa Express) and I will be staying at my RWs apartment, not a Hotel.  I just read this:

Under the terms of the visa agreement, U.S. citizens applying for a tourist visa do not need a formal letter of invitation from a Russian party. However, tourists must have advance lodging reservations and arrangements with a tour operator for their first entry request and visa application. These arrangements must be in writing and presented with the visa application. While tourists should not be required to present this documentation on subsequent entries, travelers are advised to have this information available and with them. Travelers should also have their travel reservations and itinerary with them at the point of entry into Russia.

This was on the US State Department website.  Do I need a reservation somewhere?

If you've got the visa, the Russian Government is happy with the arrangements you've made.  If you're staying privately, the only "reservation" info you should need will be your flight details.  If you want a bit more peace of mind, perhaps ask your lady to write you a formal email detailing your accommodation arrangements, and print that out in case you need to show it to somebody.  If you have the visa, however, I doubt that anyone will ask you - but the current political situation may mean changes in officials' friendliness as well.

[KenInUtah]

Another question, as a US citizen, do I need to have travel insurance?

[southernX]

KEN ,

travel insurance ??  yes

we dont leave home without it !!

SX

[BillyB]

If you've got the visa, the Russian Government is happy with the arrangements you've made.  If you're staying privately, the only "reservation" info you should need will be your flight details.  If you want a bit more peace of mind, perhaps ask your lady to write you a formal email detailing your accommodation arrangements, and print that out in case you need to show it to somebody.

That's good advice.

Another question, as a US citizen, do I need to have travel insurance?

I've never bought the stuff but it's been a few years since I travelled to Russia. Maybe someone who been there recently can tell you if they entered the country without buying insurance.

[Anotherkiwi]

Another question, as a US citizen, do I need to have travel insurance?

KEN ,

travel insurance ??  yes

we dont leave home without it !!

I'm with southernX on this one, although I know that ML (for one) is against it.  Citizenship doesn't matter - it's weighing up the potential risk (anything could happen to you or your belongings) versus cost (premiums).  Although I don't bother when travelling within New Zealand, I would never travel anywhere overseas without specialist travel insurance.  On my last trip to Russia and Ukraine I spent a week in Shanghai first, and had my phone stolen from my hotel room.  I also managed to drop my wallet in Odessa while getting on a tram, and didn't realise until I got off.  I had no trouble claiming for both of these.

Although those are only minor considerations in the bigger scheme of things, the ultimate fear for anyone is requiring medical assistance while on holiday or business, especially in the USA with its astronomical costs.  Although the FSU is not nearly as bad, you might possibly require a medivac if your illness or injury is very serious (or fatal), and without insurance you or your family will take forever to pay for it.  A couple of hundred dollars for unlimited medical cover while I'm away is money I'm quite happy to spend.

There are, however, alternatives in some cases.  Certain credit cards include travel insurance, and I understand that various American superannuation schemes do too.  I would check whatever insurance you already have, and see if it covers you for foreign travel (and, if so, what that cover includes).  If it doesn't, pay the extra for peace of mind.  It's very small change compared with the potential cost of finding a bride from the FSU.

[Chicagoguy]

If you have your Visa now you are finished. Do not worry. But I never smile or make small talk with Immigration or Customs people.

[BillyB]

the ultimate fear for anyone is requiring medical assistance while on holiday or business, especially in the USA with its astronomical costs.  Although the FSU is not nearly as bad, you might possibly require a medivac if your illness or injury is very serious (or fatal), and without insurance you or your family will take forever to pay for it.  A couple of hundred dollars for unlimited medical cover while I'm away is money I'm quite happy to spend.

The cost of medical services in the FSU is much cheaper than in the USA. If the costs were astronomical in the FSU, I'd agree with getting insurance but medical procedures are much more cheaper over there, so much that they have medical and dental tourism there.

[Anotherkiwi]

The cost of medical services in the FSU is much cheaper than in the USA. If the costs were astronomical in the FSU, I'd agree with getting insurance but medical procedures are much more cheaper over there, so much that they have medical and dental tourism there.

Billy, I'm not thinking about the tourism angle - much more so about an unplanned event which may have major financial consequences.  Of course I could afford to replace my phone and wallet, but I had the insurance so I used it.  By all means go without insurance if you (or your family) can afford to drop 50 or 100 grand in a "worst case" scenario - otherwise, spend the premium and hope that you never need it.  You insure your house, your business premises and all your earthmoving equipment, right?  And hope that you'll never have to claim?

[Faux Pas]

Billy, I'm not thinking about the tourism angle - much more so about an unplanned event which may have major financial consequences.  Of course I could afford to replace my phone and wallet, but I had the insurance so I used it.  By all means go without insurance if you (or your family) can afford to drop 50 or 100 grand in a "worst case" scenario - otherwise, spend the premium and hope that you never need it.  You insure your house, your business premises and all your earthmoving equipment, right?  And hope that you'll never have to claim?

Have you ever filed a claim on it?

IME, travel insurance is a sham. I, too, use to buy it for every trip. Even after I had a claim and they were literally as helpful as tits on a bull I still continued to buy it. My thought was that perhaps it was the one company. That was until I bought it from a different one and virtually the same thing happened again. They do not take control of a situation and guide you out of it. At most, you can get someone sympathetic on the phone to tell you how sorry they are for you. Offer some information you can find on Google and after all of your extra expenses they try their damnest to weasel out of reimbursing those extra expenses.

KeninUthah, if you already have health insurance, you won't actually need travel insurance. Most folks purchase it for a peace of mind but, it really is a waste. If you do not have health insurance I would recommend buying it. It will get you treated if by chance you need it. If you already have insurance, it will cover you in Russia as well.

[jone]

Have you ever filed a claim on it?

IME, travel insurance is a sham. I, too, use to buy it for every trip. Even after I had a claim and they were literally as helpful as tits on a bull I still continued to buy it. My thought was that perhaps it was the one company. That was until I bought it from a different one and virtually the same thing happened again. They do not take control of a situation and guide you out of it. At most, you can get someone sympathetic on the phone to tell you how sorry they are for you. Offer some information you can find on Google and after all of your extra expenses they try their damnest to weasel out of reimbursing those extra expenses.

KeninUthah, if you already have health insurance, you won't actually need travel insurance. Most folks purchase it for a peace of mind but, it really is a waste. If you do not have health insurance I would recommend buying it. It will get you treated if by chance you need it. If you already have insurance, it will cover you in Russia as well.

FP,

Please allow me to disagree.  Health Insurance in the United States is NOT recognized in Eastern Europe.  In many cases it is not even recognized outside an individual's home state if they are from the US.

[Faux Pas]

FP,

Please allow me to disagree.  Health Insurance in the United States is NOT recognized in Eastern Europe.  In many cases it is not even recognized outside an individual's home state if they are from the US.

By all means if you wish, feel free to disagree. I have traveled to Russia now being on 3 different insurance plans over the course 8-9 years. I sought clarification with all 3 of them and all three confirmed that my coverage extends to my individual travel and more specifically to Russia. There  was much caution that foreign providers may have problems with them as procedure and regs are different but, coverage was the same. We traveled around the world a few years ago without any travel insurance relying on the information from the insurance company that we were covered. I was assured my coverage was good no matter where I was with a few exceptions. One IIRC was a war zone

[jone]

Yes, I have the same repeat message from my health care provider.  But once the rubber hits the road and you have to file a claim, there is a great disparity between what is told to you on the phone and what the insurance provider actually covers.  Moreover, all monies are due up front.

[Anotherkiwi]

Have you ever filed a claim on it?

Yes - see my earlier post.

IME, travel insurance is a sham. I, too, use to buy it for every trip. Even after I had a claim and they were literally as helpful as tits on a bull I still continued to buy it. My thought was that perhaps it was the one company. That was until I bought it from a different one and virtually the same thing happened again. They do not take control of a situation and guide you out of it. At most, you can get someone sympathetic on the phone to tell you how sorry they are for you. Offer some information you can find on Google and after all of your extra expenses they try their damnest to weasel out of reimbursing those extra expenses.

Everyone has different experiences - mine was much better than yours, obviously, as I received full reimbursement (less the policy excess).  Admittedly my claims were for theft and loss of property, rather than for anything medical.

KeninUthah, if you already have health insurance, you won't actually need travel insurance.

This is the crux of the matter.  I don't know what the proportion of health insurance policyholders is in the USA, although from previous threads over the years I expect it is extremely high, but that doesn't apply around the rest of the world.  Many of us in countries with a "socialist" health system don't have (or need) health insurance because hospital treatment for illness or injury is free and doctors' visits are subsidised (or free, in many countries).

Most folks purchase it for a peace of mind but, it really is a waste. If you do not have health insurance I would recommend buying it. It will get you treated if by chance you need it. If you already have insurance, it will cover you in Russia as well.

No, Faux Pas, that's only your own experience.  You can't extrapolate that to the whole population of world travellers.  It's nearly 19 years since I had a day off sick, so I think it's fair to say that I'm the healthiest person I know.  Even in India I didn't have the slightest problem, but I would still never leave home without travel insurance JUST IN CASE.

Moreover, all monies are due up front.

That, also, is peace of mind for those of us who don't carry huge amounts of cash to countries where our credit cards may not be acceptable!

[Faux Pas]

Yes, I have the same repeat message from my health care provider.  But once the rubber hits the road and you have to file a claim, there is a great disparity between what is told to you on the phone and what the insurance provider actually covers.  Moreover, all monies are due up front.

Yeah I got the same spiel from the Travel Insurance agency, too. Both are U.S. based companies and are going to get the same treatment from whatever entity you'll be using. If I break my leg while in Russia, I'm a little more comfortable With Blue Cross on the phone than I am with ACME Travel but, maybe that's just me. 

[jone]

Oh, I'd never buy the travel insurance.  I was just observing the true nature of United States insurance paying out a Russian provider, or for that matter, reimbursing you as a paying customer.

[Faux Pas]

Everyone has different experiences - mine was much better than yours, obviously, as I received full reimbursement (less the policy excess).  Admittedly my claims were for theft and loss of property, rather than for anything medical.

Obviously.  None of my claims were for theft. Both claims were for trips of my wife's. Once an extremely late flight from Moscow on one airline to catch a connection on another airline at JFK which left without her, resulted in having to purchase another ticket on the flight the next day and a hotel stay. The total out of pocket for the mishap was slightly over $600 USD for just the ticket and and hotel. Three months later and after submitting all of the documentation, endless hours on the phone I was reimbursed $150 USD. Subtract from that the $70 USD of the premium for a net of $80 USD. Hardly worth it wouldn't you say?

This is the crux of the matter.  I don't know what the proportion of health insurance policyholders is in the USA, although from previous threads over the years I expect it is extremely high, but that doesn't apply around the rest of the world.  Many of us in countries with a "socialist" health system don't have (or need) health insurance because hospital treatment for illness or injury is free and doctors' visits are subsidised (or free, in many countries).

Yeah, I somehow knew you'd get your wonderful socialist healthcare mentioned in there somewhere. 

You know the price of cow shit in Texas is as relevant as that. We are discussing "insurance" are we not? And yes, a paid healthcare policy should work just as splendid as your wonderful travel insurance. They are after all the same commodity covering different things.

No, Faux Pas, that's only your own experience.  You can't extrapolate that to the whole population of world travellers.  It's nearly 19 years since I had a day off sick, so I think it's fair to say that I'm the healthiest person I know.  Even in India I didn't have the slightest problem, but I would still never leave home without travel insurance JUST IN CASE.

Yes, it is my own experience and the advice I offer as a result of it. Isn't that what the OP inquired? I too, have visited India and did not get sick. I didn't have any traveler's insurance, either. What is your point?

That, also, is peace of mind for those of us who don't carry huge amounts of cash to countries where our credit cards may not be acceptable!

You are a habitual builder of strawman. How much money you chose to carry when traveling is again irrelevant and has nothing to do with insurance or lack of it. Choose more wisely your credit cards perhaps or make your money available by other means.

[Faux Pas]

Oh, I'd never buy the travel insurance.  I was just observing the true nature of United States insurance paying out a Russian provider, or for that matter, reimbursing you as a paying customer.

That was my concern too. I was assured they look at a foreign doctor or hospital no differently than any U.S. based. I was warned often there are problems on the other end as in they do not necessarily follow U.S. rules or procedures for payment which cause various problems. However, a covered illness or injury is the same no matter where it occurs. Worse case scenario was I would have to pay and be reimbursed. Kind of like that traveler's insurance 

[Anotherkiwi]

Obviously.  None of my claims were for theft. Both claims were for trips of my wife's. Once an extremely late flight from Moscow on one airline to catch a connection on another airline at JFK which left without her, resulted in having to purchase another ticket on the flight the next day and a hotel stay. The total out of pocket for the mishap was slightly over $600 USD for just the ticket and and hotel. Three months later and after submitting all of the documentation, endless hours on the phone I was reimbursed $150 USD. Subtract from that the $70 USD of the premium for a net of $80 USD. Hardly worth it wouldn't you say?

If you look at it in those terms - no, maybe it wasn't worth it.  However, by successfully claiming on your policy you at least got the $150 back, rather than nothing at all.

Yeah, I somehow knew you'd get your wonderful socialist healthcare mentioned in there somewhere. 

And why not?  Plenty of posters on this forum (including you) have complained about the cost and reduction in coverage of their health insurance over the years, especially since Obamacare came in.  Many (most?) other countries have a system where the state provides most or all of the needed care at no charge.  And yes, I realise that part of my taxes goes towards that.  I'm quite happy for that to happen, knowing that I don't have to find $100,000 for a hospital bed if I'm knocked over by the proverbial bus or have a heart attack walking along the street.

You know the price of cow shit in Texas is as relevant as that. We are discussing "insurance" are we not? And yes, a paid healthcare policy should work just as splendid as your wonderful travel insurance. They are after all the same commodity covering different things.

Do you insure cow shit in Texas?  If they cover different things, surely you would need both.

Yes, it is my own experience and the advice I offer as a result of it. Isn't that what the OP inquired? I too, have visited India and did not get sick. I didn't have any traveler's insurance, either. What is your point?

My point is exactly the same as yours - offering MY point of view.  We differ - so what?

You are a habitual builder of strawman. How much money you chose to carry when traveling is again irrelevant and has nothing to do with insurance or lack of it. Choose more wisely your credit cards perhaps or make your money available by other means.

Again, I'll differ from you.  How much money you're carrying may certainly make a difference if you're involved in some catastrophe.  As for choosing credit cards wisely - have you not read the post today from the member who found that an ATM in Kyiv swallowed his credit card for no apparent reason?  That happened to me, too, in St Petersburg, with a Visa card that was perfectly valid.  It's not a comfortable experience floating around Russia with only limited funds in your pocket and no instant access to extra money.

[Faux Pas]

If you look at it in those terms - no, maybe it wasn't worth it.  However, by successfully claiming on your policy you at least got the $150 back, rather than nothing at all.

Honestly, I only pursued it on principle. Starting out if I had known how much time I would have in it, I would have never filed the claim. Generally, I buy insurance (and I am probably one of the most insured you'll know of) I do it to have the insurance company make an unexpected problem go away. For the peace of mind as well as the financial loss. On 2 separate occasions, neither happened. I take that as a lesson.

And why not?  Plenty of posters on this forum (including you) have complained about the cost and reduction in coverage of their health insurance over the years, especially since Obamacare came in.  Many (most?) other countries have a system where the state provides most or all of the needed care at no charge.  And yes, I realise that part of my taxes goes towards that.  I'm quite happy for that to happen, knowing that I don't have to find $100,000 for a hospital bed if I'm knocked over by the proverbial bus or have a heart attack walking along the street.

Because dear man, it is not germane to the discussion. I'll bite (a little bit) your state provides it but you still do not get that it isn't free. You were a big supporter of Obamacare and it has no affect on or to you. Ask anyone if it is free? Through all of those debates between you and I, you still don't get it. I've never been against a government funded health plan. I still ain't but, Obamacare never was it and still isn't. "MY" predictions of Obamacare have all come to fruition. Everybodys insurance has sky rocketed and those that "needed" Obamacare, can't afford it. I still have health insurance and will as long as I can afford it.

Do you insure cow shit in Texas?  If they cover different things, surely you would need both.

Try using your state sponsored healthcare when you travel abroad. 

My point is exactly the same as yours - offering MY point of view.  We differ - so what?

So what?

Again, I'll differ from you.  How much money you're carrying may certainly make a difference if you're involved in some catastrophe.  As for choosing credit cards wisely - have you not read the post today from the member who found that an ATM in Kyiv swallowed his credit card for no apparent reason?  That happened to me, too, in St Petersburg, with a Visa card that was perfectly valid.  It's not a comfortable experience floating around Russia with only limited funds in your pocket and no instant access to extra money.

Look, you can have a personal catastrophe or illness on that little island nation of yours and it require using all of your financial resources to make things right. What would you do then? Perhaps the same thing you would do if you were abroad? If I were you and heavily reliant on your government assistance healthcare, I would buy the travel insurance too. I'm just trying to give the guy some information he can use to make a decision. I have no problem with you disagreeing with it, at all. Disagree and state why. It's the diatribe and strawman you build in an attempt to prove me wrong rather than, prove you are right. I find it comical 

[ML]

 Many of us in countries with a "socialist" health system don't have (or need) health insurance because hospital treatment for illness or injury is free and doctors' visits are subsidised (or free, in many countries).

This is a rather silly statement.

It would imply that the doctors who treat you get no pay, and that the materials they use to treat you have no cost.

The correct terminology is 'we in socialist countries pay tremendous taxes which are used for various purposes including health care.'

[AC]

This is a rather silly statement.

It would imply that the doctors who treat you get no pay, and that the materials they use to treat you have no cost.

The correct terminology is 'we in socialist countries pay tremendous taxes which are used for various purposes including health care.'

   Exactly.  And if it works for them fine, but they should not be telling us Americans how great Obama Care is when they have no clue what they are talking about.

[Anotherkiwi]

This is a rather silly statement.

It would imply that the doctors who treat you get no pay, and that the materials they use to treat you have no cost.

If you're going to be literal, then maybe it does appear silly.  If you treat it as a "point of sale" situation, however, it doesn't.

The correct terminology is 'we in socialist countries pay tremendous taxes which are used for various purposes including health care.'

This, however, is even sillier.  Over the years that I've been working, our various governments have gradually reduced income taxes to the point that my total income tax bill now is about 22% of my total income.  Even adding the Goods and Services Tax which we pay on most items (the main exclusions being housing costs and overseas travel), and which is probably not much different from your various local and state sales taxes, I would hardly describe that as "tremendous."

[Anotherkiwi]

Here we go again...

Because dear man, it is not germane to the discussion. I'll bite (a little bit) your state provides it but you still do not get that it isn't free.

I have never claimed it to be "free" in the sense of it being totally without cost.  Perhaps I should have written (just for you, ML and AC) that it's free at the "point of sale" (i.e. you do not have to pay the hospital when you arrive or leave, nor do you have to give them a credit card to cover the costs, although we do pay if we visit a doctor at their surgery).  If you look at my reply directly above this one you'll see my take on taxation in this respect.

You were a big supporter of Obamacare and it has no affect on or to you. Ask anyone if it is free? Through all of those debates between you and I, you still don't get it. I've never been against a government funded health plan. I still ain't but, Obamacare never was it and still isn't. "MY" predictions of Obamacare have all come to fruition. Everybodys insurance has sky rocketed and those that "needed" Obamacare, can't afford it. I still have health insurance and will as long as I can afford it.

Yes, I was wrong about Obamacare, mainly because the information I had seen was more the "edited highlights."  I accept that it doesn't affect me, and that you have a far better understanding of it than I do - in the same way that I have a far better understanding of my country's healthcare system than you do.

Try using your state sponsored healthcare when you travel abroad. 

We have reciprocal healthcare coverage with Australia and the United Kingdom, so we receive the same benefits as locals if we get ill or hurt in those countries.  However, our Ministry of Health does warn that this shouldn't be used as a reason NOT to have comprehensive travel insurance as well.

Perhaps the same thing you would do if you were abroad? If I were you and heavily reliant on your government assistance healthcare, I would buy the travel insurance too. I'm just trying to give the guy some information he can use to make a decision. I have no problem with you disagreeing with it, at all. Disagree and state why. It's the diatribe and strawman you build in an attempt to prove me wrong rather than, prove you are right. I find it comical 

You still don't get it, do you?  I'm not trying to prove that either system is better; just that, from my point of view, travel insurance is worth getting.  You disagree - that's your right, and I have no problem with it.  If I understand him correctly, this is Ken's first overseas trip, so of course he's going to be wondering which way to jump.  We've had our say - now it's his turn.

[KenInUtah]

Thanks, (I think) everyone.  After siphoning off all the politics here, we have never answered my question.  Do I NEED to show proof of insurance to enter the country.  I am getting a minimal policy.  The 30K health coverage which will cost me about $17...big deal.  My question is...do I need to show proof at Immigration.

The US State Dept website also said I need to show hotel reservation on a travel Visa but I have found this is not the case, I just have to have an invitation to show, nothing else...Obviously I have that because i needed it for my Visa. they also say i have to show insurance of at least 30K

Kiwi, it's not my first trip overseas, just my first to FSU.  I've been in half of Africa as well as Poland, Czech Republic and Germany and of course Canada and Mexico.  None of those have such requirements as Russia, that's why I ask.  I appreciate your comments even after you took a little beating in here for no reason.