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Medical insurance for SF consulate

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Aleo
  4/23/2019 21:29 EST

Hello. I am struggling to find a health insurance plan that "mentions Portugal by name" as is required by SF Portugal consulate (they requested 4-month coverage). There is, for instance, IMG Patriot insurance that satisfies Schengen requirements (30K euros, zero deductible, repatriation), but their certificate states the coverage as "all countries" except the USA, without mentioning Portugal. I am currently in the US and I will not be visiting Portugal between now and my consulate appointment in early June. (I do have a NIF and a bank account with Millennium BCP, but doubt I can get any local Portuguese insurance since I am not a resident yet, plus I am out of Portugal now).

Any recommendations?

If you have recently got the residence visa in SF consulate, could you please share what insurance company have you used?

Aranthama
  4/24/2019 01:39 EST

We ran into same problem and were able to purchase travel/medical insurance that specially designated "Portugal" as the country of designation in the Visa Letter. We obtained this insurance through a broker INSUBUY with U.S. office for a policy issued by Atlas Int'l; administered by Tokio Marine; and underwritten by Lloyds. I think it cost around $2,000 for the two of us, covering a four month period. You can reach INSUBUY AT 800-605-2282, OR 972-985-4400. Good luck.

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craigandmicki
  4/24/2019 04:42 EST

Aleo: An easy solution for you: Read IMG. Tell them you need a simple letter that states something like this: The insured, (full name), is covered by IMG Patriot policy xxxxx starting date and ending date for coverage in Portugal and other Schengen Area countries. The coverage features no deductible, reimbursement up to 30,000euros, repatriation to the US for illness or death, hospitalization and emergency treatment". It is on IMG stationery, signed and has your address on it, too. This has worked for the last year at SF and allows you to get a plan from any provider.

craigandmicki
  4/24/2019 04:43 EST

Sorry, ALEO...I meant "REACH IMG" not "READ IMG".

Luned
  4/24/2019 18:22 EST

Aranthama,

I have contacted the company you used. It sounds good, though they do call it "travel" insurance (the documents come from Atlas Travel Insurance), and SF has adamantly said they do not accept travel insurance. I contacted them about this particular policy, and they refused to say whether or not they would approve it, reiterating that ultimately SEF decides. So, I imagine if SEF approved it for you, they would approve it for anyone.

This stuff is completely exhausting me.

Aranthama
  4/24/2019 18:33 EST

I checked the Visa Letter that Atlas provided and it said said "short term medical insurance" and specifically listed Portugal as the country of destination. This letter was submitted by SF Consulate to SEF in Portugal, which granted approval for us (my wife and I) to get our residence visas. I know it can be exhausting but stick with it and everything will work out. Soon you'll be living in and loving Portugal, as we do, and this ordeal will be a distant memory.

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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

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AnchorLess provides services to help you settle into your new life in Portugal. you are guaranteed to have access to a convenient, quick and reliable service, with a team always ready to answer all of your questions about your new adventure.
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Aleo
  4/25/2019 00:21 EST

Thank you! I talked to the IMG insurance agent, and she told me that when I'll buy a policy, one of the documents I'll get is "visa letter", which is basically what you have described, and it explicitly mentions the "primary destination", i.e. Portugal. So, I'll go with it.

Luned
  4/25/2019 01:02 EST

Thank you! Somehow I missed this and sent you a PM. Please ignore. This is great news about the Atlas/Tokio Marine insurance!

Aranthama
  4/25/2019 06:19 EST

With "Portugal" as the country of destination in the Visa Letter, this should work.

craigandmicki
  4/25/2019 06:40 EST

Aleo: Yes, the 'visa letter'. Good for you. Not everyone asks for nor is offered this and it makes all the difference.

Luned
  4/25/2019 14:44 EST

By "visa letter" do you mean the letter I write myself?

I asked the rep at Tokio/Atlas to write a letter, and she said they couldn't do that. She said I would get their form letter that goes out with every policy. The form letter will say I am covered worldwide, but that my destination is Portugal. Maybe that's good enough.

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AnchorLess provides services to help you settle into your new life in Portugal. you are guaranteed to have access to a convenient, quick and reliable service, with a team always ready to answer all of your questions about your new adventure.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

AnchorLessAnchorLess

AnchorLess provides services to help you settle into your new life in Portugal. you are guaranteed to have access to a convenient, quick and reliable service, with a team always ready to answer all of your questions about your new adventure.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

monkeybusiness
  4/25/2019 15:08 EST

Maybe you should ask for a supervisor or someone with more authority...explain the situation and see if they might make an exception and send you written verification that specifically mentions Portugal. Worth a try.

Luned
  4/25/2019 19:10 EST

Good idea. I'll try that.

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Turn relocation stress into success with AnchorLess. From obtaining your NIF to a complete VISA support, we will be your guide through Portuguese administrative.
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Turn relocation stress into success with AnchorLess. From obtaining your NIF to a complete VISA support, we will be your guide through Portuguese administrative.
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Turn relocation stress into success with AnchorLess. From obtaining your NIF to a complete VISA support, we will be your guide through Portuguese administrative.
Learn More

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