Global Underwriters

What Global Underwriters is

Global Underwriters designs, sells and services its own Diplomat travel medical plans, and a separate insurer carries the risk on at least the flagship plan. The Diplomat International page states that "Diplomat International Coverage is underwritten by AXIS Insurance Company under policy form series number TRVL-IND-001," and adds that AXIS, "an Illinois property and casualty company, is licensed in all 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia." The Diplomat America and Diplomat Long Term pages do not name their underwriter. Assistance on Diplomat International runs "through On Call International," which the page says provides services that "are not insurance."

The personal line has three plans. Diplomat International is for "US Residents Traveling Inside or Outside the USA." Diplomat America "is designed for Non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States." Diplomat Long Term "is designed for anyone traveling outside their home country for undetermined or extended periods of time." The site menu also lists commercial lines such as Defense Base Act insurance, group travel, business travel accident, and kidnap, ransom and extortion cover for organizations and schools. The office is in Cincinnati, reachable on 1-800-513-2981 inside the U.S.

Diplomat International

The schedule of benefits for Diplomat International offers medical maximum choices of $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000, and deductible choices of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,500. The page notes that "some plan options are not available to all ages." Dental expenses carry $500. Emergency medical evacuation carries $500,000, with $15,000 for a hospital companion to join the traveler, and repatriation of remains $50,000. Political or personal security evacuation, natural disaster evacuation and verified physical assault evacuation each carry $25,000, and search and rescue $20,000. Travel delay pays up to $2,000 at $200 per day, for a delay of "twelve (12) hours or more." Baggage cover lists $1,000 overall, and baggage delay $200. The 24-hour AD&D benefit is $100,000, with an optional common-carrier AD&D of "$100,000; $250,000; $500,000." Trip cancellation is optional, with trip-cost bands of "$0 to $2,500 of Trip Cost; $2,500 to $5,000 of Trip Cost."

The plan covers an acute onset of a pre-existing condition up to a sub-limit, provided it occurs "after Your Scheduled Departure Date" and treatment starts "within twenty-four (24) hours." Adventure, organized and extreme sports appear as optional upgrades. The plan "is PRIMARY for all coverages for residents of all states except MO and OR," where it is excess, and "Some benefits are not available in all states." Cover runs from "5 days" to "180 days" at a per-day rate. A policy bought after departure, or without insuring trip costs, only considers medical and baggage losses "more than two hundred fifty (250) miles away" from home and "more than twenty-four (24) hours after the purchase." Premium is refundable during a "ten (10) day review period" if the traveler has not departed. On COVID-19, the page says trip cancellation and interruption do "not cover any conditions related to Covid-19," and "Vaccinations are not covered."

Diplomat America and Diplomat Long Term

Diplomat America offers medical maximums from Plan A at $50,000 to "Plan E – $1,000,000." The page states "Persons up to age 59 are eligible for all plans; Persons age 60-64 are eligible for plans A, B and C; Persons age 65-69 are eligible for plans A and B; Persons age 70-79 are limited to $50,000; Persons age 80+ are limited to $20,000." Deductibles run from $0 to $5000 "per person per policy period," and evacuation pays up to $250,000. Cover runs from 15 to 365 days, is not available for residents of the USA, Australia or Iran, and is "NOT intended to cover any travel outside the United States, except for incidental trips to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands." All coverage except AD&D is excess over other valid insurance. Beyond medical bills, the plan pays repatriation when the assistance company and physician find it medically necessary, for transport "incurred within 90 days from the date of the Covered Loss," plus return of mortal remains, an emergency medical reunion that brings "an individual of Your choice" to the hospital bedside, and return of minor children left unattended. Chiropractic care is capped at "$50.00 per visit, with a maximum of 10 visits." The page explains the need plainly: "U.S. medical facilities may not recognize insurance provided by a "foreign" insurance company and could deny services or demand up-front payment for treatment."

Diplomat Long Term offers medical maximums of $500,000 or $1,000,000; "Persons up to age 64 are eligible for all plans," with lower caps from age 65. It is sold for "3 months" to "12 months" at a monthly rate and is renewable "to a maximum of 36 consecutive months." Covered expenses must be incurred "within 365 days for U.S. Citizens or 180 days for Non-U.S. Citizens" from the date of the disablement. For U.S. citizens it gives limited cover for "a sudden and unforeseen recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition." It is not available for travel in Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Nepal or the Palestinian Territories, and U.S. residents can buy it only in the states the page lists: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IN, MS, NH, NV, NE, PA, SC, UT, VA, WI and WY. Both plans cover families of "2 adults" plus unmarried children from "14 days until their 18th birthday," and both refund premium "less a $25 processing fee" only before cover starts.

Claims

Diplomat International claims go to the plan administrator, Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, online at cbpconnect.com, on 888-352-3169, or by e-mail to AXISTravClaims@cbpinsure.com. Diplomat America and Long Term claims go to Global Claims Administration in Cincinnati at Claims@globalunderwriters.com, with attachments "in PDF format." The claims page sets out the proof-of-loss window: written proof is due "within 90 days after termination of each period for which The Company is liable," or for any other loss "within 90 days after the date of such loss." If claim forms are not sent "within 15 days after the giving of such notice," the claimant is treated as having complied. The claims FAQ says the three Diplomat plans "do not specifically exclude Covid-19, therefore it is treated the same as any other illness."

Who it suits

Diplomat International suits U.S. residents who want to choose their own medical maximum and deductible for a trip of up to 180 days, including students and employees traveling for work. Diplomat America suits foreign visitors to the U.S., with tiered age limits that narrow cover after 59. Diplomat Long Term suits expatriates and missionaries who need renewable cover for up to 36 consecutive months. U.S. residents outside the listed states cannot buy Long Term, and older visitors face the lower medical caps the America and Long Term pages list.