Insurance Assurance

Our very warmest thanks to Jerry Hulse for his column (“Travel Tips,” Feb. 17) which listed the Travel Assistance International’s telephone number--(800) 821-2828--for travel insurance. We bought this very inexpensive coverage and went on a 50-day voyage around South America. In Buenos Aires, my husband, Bernard, had a heart attack and we had to leave the ship. He was hospitalized there for two weeks. TAI was in constant touch with the doctors in regard to my husband’s condition. When it was safe for him to travel, they sent an ambulance plane with doctor and nurse and four pilots and flew him directly to the hospital of our choice in the U.S. They also gave me a commercial plane ticket to the same place.

All of this was included in our policy with no extra charge. The policy also included (partial) payment to the Argentine hospital. They also kept our children informed since telephone service was very difficult.

This service covers the insured any place in the world if one is more than 100 miles from home. We have bought coverage for our children--not world travelers, but they do venture more than 100 miles from home.

HOPE HOWARD

Lompoc