Travel Insurance Blog | Travel Insurance Review

CDC Travel Notice – Lassa Fever in Nigeria

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice regarding an increased number of cases of Lassa fever.

According to the Nigerian Ministry of Health, there are over 800 suspected cases as of April 13th and over 80 deaths. Seven deaths have been reported among health care workers.

Lassa fever is a viral illness spread by rats and people are infected through direct content with droppings or urine, or by touching objects or consuming contaminated food. Lassa fever is also spread by person-to-person contact through blood, tissue, or bodily fluids.

The symptoms include fever, chest pain, sore throat, back pain, coughing, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from the mouth or nose. People with Lassa fever also experience hearing loss, tremors, swelling of the face and eyelids and swelling of the brain. When Lassa fever is contracted by a pregnant woman, the symptoms may include bleeding and miscarriage.

The Nigerian government is responding to the outbreak by focusing on disease investigation, patient treatment, and in conducting awareness campaigns among populations who are affected.

Travelers can protect themselves from Lassa fever by following some precautions:

avoid contact with rats and rat droppings
store food in rat-proof containers
keep your lodgings clean and free of rodents
do not eat rats

Read the complete travel notice from the CDC for Lassa fever.

9 Financial Crimes that Wreck Your Vacation

There are a number of financial risks that people face every single day, but when coupled with the challenges of travel – strange foods, different environments, severe exhaustion, language barriers – the negative impact of these crimes is amplified.

1. Pickpockets and Petty Thieves

You’re riding along on a scooter, weaving easily through traffic when a kid on a motorbike snatches your backpack and zooms away.

Pickpockets and thieves are common challenges when traveling and tourists are easy targets because they are unfamiliar with the region and often distracted.

2. ATM Skimming

You’re at an ATM trying to withdraw cash, but the machine refuses to dispense any money. You remember getting money from a street ATM just a few days ago.

Skimming devices are notoriously difficult to spot and many are specially crafted to each ATM model. When you slip your card into the slot and type your PIN, you’ve just handed thieves everything they need to access your account.

3. Lost Items

You arrive early and your rooms aren’t yet ready, so you leave your bags with the bell captain who hands you a claim check. You return to discover your bags are gone.

Hotels can avoid legal responsibility for thefts on their property, especially because guests are usually unable to show proof they were carrying anything of value. That claim check the bell captain issued? Turn it over and read the fine print – it absolves the hotel of all responsibility.

4. Double Charged

You hand your credit card over to pay the check and the waiter brings you a receipt to sign. Little do you know that you’ve been double-charged and the waiter will forge your signature onto a second receipt after you’ve gone.

Suspicious credit card charges may be caught by your financial institution – especially if they are aware of your trip – but they may have difficulty reaching you to raise the issue.

5. Bribes

You’re pulled over by a police officer in a poor country. He quickly makes it clear that a bribe will make him go away.

In some regions of the world, simply being a tourist behind the wheel of a car means you are an open target for crime – especially if you don’t know the language, local laws, or customs.

6. Stolen Cash

You discover that the safe in your hotel suite isn’t working, so you hide your ‘extra’ cash in the room. When you return, the cash is missing.

Electronic key cards make it harder for unauthorized people to enter hotel rooms, but it’s done little to protect travelers from inside jobs. Anything left behind is fair game and hotels are not liable for what happens to your belongings – even those locked inside the safe in your room.

7. Car Problems

You drive into a small town and a bystander points out that your car is leaking oil when in fact, they tossed the oil onto the ground near your car. They tell you about a garage right around the corner that will fix the problem.

The bystander may, in fact, have been hired by the garage owner to drum up this sort of business.

8. Money Switches

You hand the taxi driver cash but he switches the note with a similar-looking one of a much smaller amount, then accuses you of trying to cheat him. Or, you hand U.S. dollars to a clerk and they give you the change in the wrong amount of local money.

No one handles foreign money with as much confidence as their home country’s currency, so this is a prime scenario for losing your cash.

9. Fake Art

Some very nice young people persuade you to visit their school’s gallery where a number of promising artists are showing their work ahead of an art show – and you can buy early.

High-pressure sales pitches could mean you end up buying something fake, overpriced, or even stolen (which could get you into a whole other vat of trouble).

April 25, 2012 – World Malaria Day

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly half the world’s population – over 3 billion people – were at risk of contracting malaria in 2010. Every year, there are approximately 216 million cases of malaria and over 600,000 deaths due to malaria.

The people living in and visiting the poorest countries on Earth are the most vulnerable.

World Malaria Day is intended to recognize the global effort to control malaria.

Please take a minute to check your travel plans and determine whether your travel plans will put you at risk of contracting this disease. See the interactive malaria map:

See the WHO Key Fact Sheet for Malaria to understand the risks, as well as malaria immunization information.

World Health Organization Outbreak News – Avian Flu

The World Health Organization recently published disease outbreak news regarding avian influenza in Cambodia and Egypt.

This health notice indicates that the Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt has identified a new case of human infection with the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. The patient, a 36-year-old woman developed symptoms on the first of April and was admitted to a hospital on the 7th of April. She died that day.

The Ministry of Health in Cambodia announced another case of human infection of the same virus by a 6-year-old girl who was admitted to a hospital on the 28th of March and died two days later.

In both cases, the patients had contact with sick or dead poultry prior to the onset of their illness.

See the current disease outbreak news from the World Health Organization.

U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Burundi

The U.S. State Department recently issued a new travel warning against the risks of traveling to Burundi. U.S. citizens are warned that Western interests in Burundi have been threatened by the terrorist organization al-Shabaab.

The Burundian civil war, which lasted from 1993 to 2006, involved non-governmental and even non-combatant targets. While a cease-fire is currently in place and general elections were held in 2010, political tensions remain high. Of highest concern is low-level political violence, which persists in some areas.

Crime is common and is often committed by armed bandits or street children. Exchanges of gunfire and grenade attacks are common even in well populated areas. Other crimes include mugging, burglary, and carjackings.

The U.S. Embassy Bujumbura continues to warn citizens not to travel outside after dark and to avoid national highways at night. American can obtain country-specific information for Burundi and read the complete travel warning.

U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Eritrea

The U.S. State Department continues to warn its citizens against travel to Eritrea due to continued attacks and ongoing security concerns. The Eritrean government continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals, including U.S. diplomats who must apply for permission to travel outside Asmara’s city limits 10 days in advance. Permission is not usually granted so the U.S. Embassy is extremely limited in its ability to deliver emergency assistance outside Asmara.

The Eritrean government controls the local media and often broadcasts anti-American rhetoric, but there have been no specific incidents targeting American citizens. Even so, U.S. citizens are urged to remain cautious and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

In March, 2012, Ethiopian troops attacked three locations inside Eritrean territory. In January, 2012, a group of tourists was attacked in Ethiopia not far from the Eritrean border. Skirmishes between Eritrean and Ethiopian troops continue to occur and military tension between the countries is high.

Eritrean-U.S. dual citizens who enter Eritrea with an Eritrean ID card may find it difficult to obtain the required visa to legally exit the country. The U.S. Embassy in Asmara is aware of numerous cases where dual Eritrean-U.S. citizens have not been permitted to leave.

As always, U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the most up-to-date security information.

Read the complete travel warning for Eritrea.

U.S. State Department Travel Alert for Tunisia

Today, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for its citizens regarding the unrest in Tunisia. This security situation is not currently affecting most tourist areas or business centers, but unpredictable events like work stoppages, road blocks, and public demonstrations are still occurring and a state of emergency remains in force.

Curfews can be re-established on short notice and U.S. citizens are warned to remain alert to local security developments as well as remaining vigilant about personal security.

Travelers who are contemplating a trip into the interior of the country of Tunisia should carefully assess local conditions and roads before starting. Tunisian security forces have noted increased levels of small arms and weapons and there are occasionally clashes between armed groups resulting in casualties and property damage.

The Tunisian National Guard encourages persons traveling into the desert to register their travel beforehand. For details on how and where to register, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s desert travel page. Travelers should also consult local authorities before heading to the border between Libya and Tunisia and read the Travel Warning for Libya.

Read the complete travel alert for Tunisia.

Travel Alert from the U.S. Department of State for Guinea-Bissau

The U.S. State Department recently issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Guinea-Bissau (in west Africa) based on the continued problem of fighting and violence resulting from a coup d’état. The airport has been closed and its future operating status is currently unknown and may fluctuate as the conditions change.

U.S. citizens are urged to remain behind closed doors and to be extremely alert to local developments if they must go out.

There is currently no U.S. diplomatic presence in Guinea-Bissau although the U.S. Liaison Office in Bissau ( located at: Edifício SITEC, Rua José Carlos Schwarz 245, Bairro d’Ajuda – Telephone: 245-325-6382) can provide limited services to U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency.

The latest security information can be obtained by monitoring the U.S. Embassy Dakar website, but all U.S. travelers are urged to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for up-to-date information and security announcements.

Read the complete U.S. travel alert for Guinea-Bissau.

8 Things Travel Insurance Will Never Cover

It’s not fun when you buy a travel insurance plan and believe you’re covered only to find out you were never covered at all.

But! This is an avoidable scenario if you review your plan and understand the exclusions.

That being said, the following are travel events that no travel insurance plan will cover.

1. Your trip is rescheduled by a supplier

A traveler purchases a tour and pre-pays. The tour operator cancels for lack of attendance, but they offer the traveler a refund or they can reschedule. The traveler reschedules and files a claim with their travel insurance.

Travelers often think that just because a travel supplier cancels, they get their money back. Not so if you use that same pre-paid money for a future trip. After all, that would be ‘double-dipping’ when travel insurance is meant to make you whole.

2. Changing your mind

A traveler pre-pays for a two-week international trip, but as the vacation draws closer they realize they just don’t have the extra cash they’ll need to spend. So, they decide to cancel the trip and save their money instead.

Unless you have ‘cancel for any reason’ with your plan, this claim will not be covered because it amounts to changing your mind.

3. Accidents caused by drinking

A traveler has a few drinks on vacation but on the way back to the hotel, they misstep and break an ankle. After being treated at the hospital, they file a medical claim with their insurance plan.

Travel insurance plans include an exclusion that applies to all coverage stating it will not pay for losses caused by “being under the influence of drugs or intoxicants.” You simply don’t have coverage if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

4. Lousy weather

A traveler on a beach vacation is horrified when the rain simply will not stop. The golf courses are closed and beach time is ruined. Weather reports indicate the rain won’t end anytime soon, so the traveler decides to head home and file a claim.

Unless the weather enters the range of natural disaster or a mandatory evacuation is ordered, you’ll just have to stick it out. Once you’ve started your trip, there’s no coverage for giving up and heading home.

5. Tickets you never paid for

A traveler uses frequent flier miles to book a summer vacation, but work responsibilities prevent them from taking the trip. They cancel it and file a claim expecting to receive the full reimbursement.

Travelers do not receive cash back travel costs they never paid out in the beginning. The point of insurance is to make you whole again, not to cash in where there’s no retail value. There are, however, many travel insurance plans that will pay the fee to re-bank your frequent flier miles.

6. Extreme (or stupid) behavior

A traveler decides to try bungee jumping off a bridge. Unfortunately, the harness tears and he is dropped into an icy river. While recovering in the hospital, he contacts his travel plan to file a claim.

Unless your plan specifically includes coverage or a waiver for high-risk activities like mountain climbing, skydiving, parasailing, and yes, bungee cord jumping, you will not have coverage. Stupid behavior, such as committing an illegal act, will also invalidate your coverage.

7. Losses due to mental illness

A traveler receives a desperate call while on vacation. His brother, who is being treated for a mental illness, has been hospitalized for attempting suicide. He immediately abandons his trip to return home.

No travel insurance plan covers losses due to nervous disorders or mental illness. Suicide and self-inflicted injuries are not covered either. These are exclusions that apply to all coverage.

8. Medical tourism

A traveler decides to visit a foreign country to obtain surgery that’s deemed too expensive in the U.S. Before the trip, the doctor cancels the surgery. So the traveler cancels their trip and files a claim with their travel plan.

This travel claim would not be covered by most travel insurance plans because the purpose of the trip was to obtain medical care, but there is one exception to this rule. Seven Corners offers one plan specifically for medical tourists: Bordercross Worldwide.

What Every (Insured) Traveler Needs to Know about Pre-existing Conditions

Travelers are unhappy when their insurance claim is denied due to a pre-existing condition.

This topic can be complicated, but we’ll make it easier to understand.

First, let’s start with a definition:

A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or disease that occurs prior to the plan’s effective date and for which you had symptoms and sought medical care and/or a change in prescription medication.

Pre-existing conditions are initially an ‘exclusion’

Pre-existing medical conditions, or pre-ex, are automatically excluded from nearly all travel insurance plans.

Insurance companies need to exclude pre-existing conditions…otherwise you could wait until something goes wrong to buy insurance.

Travel insurance companies understand that medical conditions occur throughout your life, and they have designed a way to get coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition.

Many plans can cover Pre-ex with a waiver to the exclusion

You can get coverage for pre-existing conditions by purchasing the right plan.

Insurance companies have designed plans that allow you to have coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition.

They do this by adding a ‘waiver’ to the pre-existing condition exclusion.

This waiver overrides the exclusion, and essentially covers pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met.

Specific conditions must be met

The pre-ex waiver has conditions that must be met for coverage to be valid.

1. You must be healthy, or ‘medically stable’, during the plan’s ‘look-back period’

Medically stable means that you have not had a new medical condition and no changes in prescription medications during the look-back period.

The look-back period is the amount of time (typically between 60-180 days) prior to your travel policy’s effective date that the insurance company will review for evidence of pre-existing conditions should you file a claim.

2. You need to be healthy when you buy your insurance

Again, this is to prevent travelers from getting sick and trying to buy insurance after the fact.

3. You need to buy your plan soon after your initial trip payment

Companies require that you buy insurance with a certain number of days (usually 10-30) of your initial trip payment.

This is another way the insurance company verifies that you are not buying insurance after you know you need to cancel. You are essentially buying insurance when you buy your trip.

4. You need to insure the full amount of your trip

Finally, the company requires that you purchase insurance based on the full amount of your trip.

Since the cost of travel insurance is largely based on the trip cost you are insuring, this condition prevents fraudulent travelers from buying a cheap plan based on a $1 trip cost and getting the full benefits of the insurance plan.

Medical records will be examined if there is a claim

There are no medical exams required before purchasing travel insurance…it is a policy that is issued on the honor system.

If you file a claim, medical records will be examined during the claims process.

If your trip is cancelled due to the health of a covered family member, for example, their medical records will be examined for evidence of a pre-existing condition.

This is an important part of the claims process and it cannot be avoided.

Pre-ex affects both medical and cancellation coverages

This is a critical factor to pre-ex coverage: pre-ex affects both your medical and your trip cancellation coverage.

For example, if you have to cancel your trip because a covered family member is ill due to a pre-existing condition, you must have a plan with pre-ex coverage to be able to cancel your trip and get your money back.

See a full review of pre-ex coverage.