Posts Tagged ‘lost luggage’

Your Top Five Travel Insurance Questions Answered

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Your travel agent recommends it, but do you know what travel insurance really is and why it is so important?

For many individuals, travel insurance is just another travel expense that they are more than happy to pay. Others, however, dismiss it, only to find themselves in a situation where their dream vacation is interrupted and their money is history.

Before you embark on your next trip, take the time to understand and appreciate all aspects of travel insurance and why it really is so important after all.

Here are your top five travel insurance questions:

Q: Where do I purchase travel insurance?

A: There are many companies that sell travel insurance, although the better known companies include American Express, Travel Guard and Access America. Whatever company you decide to purchase travel insurance through, make sure they have a solid reputation and a strong financial past. Remember: a travel insurance policy is only as good as the company that issues it, so take the time to find a good company through which to purchase your travel insurance. Your travel agent will likely recommend a particular company, too.

Q: What does a travel insurance policy cover?

A: Although each travel insurance policy will differ slightly based on their coverage, in general most travel insurance companies cover lost luggage, emergency medical care, terrorism, natural disasters and bankrupt companies. It is important to thoroughly read your travel insurance policy so that you fully understand what is, and isn’t, covered under your policy.

Q: Is travel insurance really necessary?

A: That all depends on your luck. However, when you consider the happening of just this past year, including volcanic ash, the H1N1 virus, and a number of hurricanes and floods, it really is taking a gamble not to purchase travel insurance.

Q: Why do I need to purchase medical care through a travel insurance policy? Shouldn’t my health insurance policy cover my medical expenses while on holiday?

A: Your regular health insurance policy may cover your healthcare while overseas, but many times it does not. In addition, emergency medical coverage through a travel insurance policy will be able to cover airlifting you off a cruise ship for an emergency appendectomy; your standard health insurance policy will not.

Q: Who needs to purchase travel insurance?

A: Anyone who wants to protect their investment should take out travel insurance. Remember: vacations can be expensive!

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Why Travel Insurance Just Might be a Necessity

Friday, May 7th, 2010

If you’re planning a vacation or once-in-a-lifetime adventure, planning for the unexpected should also be a part of your pre-trip preparation. Many people skip the travel insurance, either failing to think about it or feeling it is simply an unnecessary added expense. Why get it if you may not use it? Well, “may not” is precisely the point. The opposite of “may not”? What if?

There are plenty of good reasons to carry travel insurance on your journey. If you need it, you’ll be glad for the added expense, especially considering the money you’ll be out and the creek you might find yourself rowing up without a paddle should you not have access to the coverage and assistance of travel insurance.

But I have Other Insurance to Cover My Needs

Maybe. Maybe not. Check your policy. Your current medical insurance and other coverage may not extend as far as you are going, may have clauses about overseas care and travel, etc. Besides, your current coverage probably won’t cover other things that travel insurance will, such as assisting you with finding American or English speaking translators, guides and doctors, should you need one. What if your luggage is lost, plans are canceled or waylaid, etc.? Travel insurance has more benefits than most people realize.

Now, your current policies might cover personal property or liabilities anywhere in the world. But ask your insurance company or companies about this. You do not want to pay for what you do not need, however, where these current policies fall short, you will want to shop around and opt for travel insurance that does meet your needs.

Options

Talk to a travel agent, look online and seek out companies that offer travel insurance. Many offer a slew of packages to fit every need and budget, from the basic to the comprehensive. Between your current coverage and added travel insurance, you will be protected from the unexpected. Travel insurance is a great idea in the event of accidents, loss, diseases, evacuations, rental car damage, cancellations, dental care, illness and more. Even if it seems like a hassle and just one more expense, it’s better to be safe than sorry. When it comes to travel insurance, if you plan to take off somewhere and have the time of your life, never leave home without that added protection.

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Can Travel Insurance Protect You from a Hurricane?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

While most travelers invest in travel insurance packages to protect themselves from financial losses associated with theft, mishandled baggage, or other damages, many tourists are now purchasing detailed travel insurance plans to specifically cover hurricane-related risks.  If you’re planning a sojourn to a hurricane-prone area, investigate the pros and cons of a hurricane insurance policy to ensure that you’ll be set to take off with reduced stress and worry.

Benefits of Hurricane Travel Insurance

If you’ve spent months planning your romantic and exotic getaway to the Caribbean, only to realize days before your departure that your destination is being pillaged by hurricane winds, rain, and storms, you may be eligible for due compensation if you have purchased hurricane protection with your travel insurance plan.   Generally, most hurricane protection policies allow travelers to make their vacation plans with greater confidence, as nearly all reputable policies offer protection and benefits such as:

  • Coverage for cancellations within up to 24 hours of vacation departure
  • Mandatory evacuation cost coverage / reimbursement
  • Accommodations if a planned destination / hotel / residence is considered to be “inhabitable”
  • Medical emergency coverage / reimbursement
  • Coverage / re-issue of airline ticket(s)
  • Complete 24 hour assistance and support to make needed car, hotel, transportation, and / or other reservations
  • Lost document support and / or translation assistance

With the protection perks of hurricane-based coverage, travelers who are forced to cancel their vacation plans before departure are able to avoid serious financial losses.  Adding to this benefit, travelers who have already left for their destination to quickly realize that their trip being ruined with hurricane-related struggles, warnings, and impediments should also generally be provided with due compensation and reimbursements.

Hurricane Travel Insurance Tips

Before opting for your own hurricane protection insurance policy, experts recommend that all travelers carefully evaluate the details of their pre-existing travel insurance plan.  Commonly, travel insurance policies already include hurricane-related protection benefits under their “natural disaster” clause; however, each insurance provider will have its own coverage limits, restrictions, and guidelines.

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Why You Should Utilize Annual Travel Insurance

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Sometimes it’s for business and sometimes it’s for pleasure.  Maybe you like to experience downhill skiing on all the world’s most popular mountains.  Or, perhaps your business requires you to be in New York this week, Hong Kong next week, and Paris after that.  Regardless of the reason that you may find yourself on a plane, train, or automobile crossing the country or crossing the ocean,  if you are a frequent traveler you would do well to purchase an annual travel insurance package.

Why annual travel insurance?  Typically, travel insurance is sold on a trip by trip basis.  But with so much travel during a single year it is not economical to buy travel insurance each and every time.  An annual travel insurance policy will help protect you on every trip and include some benefits you might not find on single-trip policies.

Here’s what you can expect to find on an annual travel policy:

  • Trip Cancellation - Say that you are in Rome on your monthly visit with relatives and performing work on your import business.  Then suddenly your airline goes bankrupt and all flights are canceled.  Your annual travel policy is there to help you with alternate travel arrangements as well as other services including lodging, food, and travel coordination.

  • Lost Luggage - Always a possibility on any flight, lost luggage causes frustration and heartache.  Your annual policy will help with financial loss due to lost luggage.

  • Medical Coverage - While away from your home and regular physician, you may require the services of a doctor for an emergency.  Annual travel insurance helps pay for medical costs while away from home.  This may be a coverage that is not included in a basic annual policy, but the cost for this upgrade is worth it if you travel frequently.

  • Emergency Evacuation - For sports enthusiasts disaster is only a broken leg or avalanche away.  Your annual travel policy will help pay for costs associated with helicopter and team rescue in foreign countries.

With frequent overseas travel or even week-to-week flights across the country, you never know when your luck will run out regarding luggage or medical issues away from home.  Look into an annual travel insurance policy to give you the peace of mind you need while on the road.

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