Yes, you are packing to leave immediately, but even last-minute travelers need the essential protections provided by a travel insurance plan and you can have them too! Here are some of the coverages you may find useful:

• Emergency medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage in case you or your traveling companion becomes seriously ill or gets injured while on vacation.
• Lost luggage and delayed baggage coverage. The last thing you need to deal with on a last-minute vacation is missing out because your clothes have been routed somewhere else.
• Travel delays and missed connection coverage. Hey, you want to get there on time and start having fun, right?
• Trip interruption coverage just in case something happens and you need to get home quickly!

If you think travel insurance plans are only for those vacations planned months in advance, you’re wrong. Travel Guard has a plan that’s perfect for these spontaneous trips – the Pack ‘N Go plan. It includes all the essentials necessary to keep you safe, and none of the stuff you don’t need – like trip cancellation coverage, because you’re getting on the plane in less than 30 hours!

A few details about this plan:

• Pack ‘N Go can be purchased anytime before you depart.
• The list of covered reasons provide adequate coverage for that impromptu getaway.
• Missed connection and travel delay time frames are short and will help you get to your destination.
• Plenty of evacuation coverage (just in case) and a good amount of medical coverage too.

With Travel Guard’s unique travel assistance services, you’ll also have emergency travel help if you need it. Read the full Pack ‘N Go plan details here.

This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available.

The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 175 Water Street, New York, NY 10038. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states.

Summertime is a very popular travel season, especially for golfers, sportsmen, and other adventure travelers. Many travel insurance plans have exclusions for loss of equipment and other risks associated with adventure travel, so Travel Guard has designed 3 different adventure travel insurance plans to cover those needs.

Tee, Tour, & Travel
This is a package plan that is perfect for travelers who love golfing. The plan includes standard travel insurance coverage such as trip cancellation, interruption, delay, and medical expenses; but it also includes coverage specially included for golfers, including:

• Lost, stolen, or damaged golf equipment
• Non-refundable golf fees if course is closed for bad weather
• Delayed golf equipment (purchase of essential items)

Travel Guard’s Golf Travel Plan features coverage for your lost, stolen or damaged golf equipment. Many standard travel insurance plans exclude coverage for this type of equipment, but golfers understand they have a lot of money invested in their gear. With this plan you are covered for $2,500 worth of lost, stolen, or damaged golf equipment.

Tee, Tour, & Travel also covers non-refundable golf fees if the course is closed within 24 hours due to inclement weather. The covered fees include green fees, cart fees, and caddy fees that are lost due to a trip being canceled for a covered reason.

Furthermore, the plan includes $750 worth of coverage allowing you to purchase necessary items if your golf equipment is delayed for more than 12 hours. So, if you arrive on a Saturday and are still waiting for your lost gear on Sunday, you would have coverage for purchasing necessary items like a bag of rental clubs, accessories, etc.

Sportsman’s Travel Protection Plan
The is a highly customized package from Travel Guard made that is ideal for travelers who love hunting and fishing. Similar to the Golf Plan above, the Sportsman’s plan includes  comprehensive travel insurance coverages like trip cancellation, interruption and delay, and medical expenses, but this plan also features coverage specific to outdoor sports enthusiasts such as:

• Lost, stolen, or damaged sportsman’s equipment
  
• Refund for a hunting or fishing license if your trip is canceled for a covered reason
  
• Additional expenses caused by delayed baggage
• Government closures of game reserves or hunting bans

Much like the Tee, Tour, & Travel above, this plan provides $2,500 of coverage for your sporting equipment if it is lost, stolen, or damaged. You have a good amount of money invested in your outdoor gear, you want to be able to protect it.

The plan also covers the cost of lost non-refundable fishing/hunting licenses if the trip is canceled for a covered reason. This is akin to the Tee, Tour, & Travel coverage for green fees, etc.

Again, like the Tee, Tour, & Travel plan, the Sportsman’s Travel Protection Plan provides coverage for the purchase of necessary equipment if your bags are delayed (more than 12 hours). So, if your equipment is delayed more than 12 hours, you would have $750 worth of coverage to purchase necessary items.

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Adventure Travel Protection Plan
This plan is ideal for the traveler looking for an extreme adventure anywhere in the world. This plan is designed with comprehensive travel insurance coverages such as trip cancellation, interruption and delay; medical expense and evacuation plus additional coverages unique to the thrill-seeking traveler. Think of it as an extreme sports travel insurance plan.

The plan is similar to the Tee, Tour, & Travel and the Sportsman’s Travel Protection Plan in that it provides coverage for lost fees, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, and delayed baggage essential item purchase.

The plan is unique in that it provides coverage for many adventure sports activities, from hang-gliding in Mexico to Colorado hiking travel, that are typically excluded in most travel insurance plans, such as:

• Adventure Travel Insurance
• Mountaineering
• Aviation
• Hang-gliding
• Skydiving
• Parachuting
• and Bungee-jumping

Here is a chart showing the standard package plan coverages for the Travel Guard Adventure Travel Insurance Plans:

Product	Tee, Tour, & Travel More Info	Sportsman’s Travel Protection Plan More Info	Adventure Travel Protection Plan More Info
Trip Cancellation
Cancel for Any Reason
Cancel for work Reason
Trip Interruption	150% of trip cost	150% of trip cost	150% of trip cost
Trip Interruption Return Air Only	$750 or 150% of Trip Cost	$750 or 150% of Trip Cost	$750 or 150% of Trip Cost
Coverage for Sickness, injury or death of an Immediate Family Member or Traveling companion
Offers PreExisting Condition Waiver*
Coverage for Financial Default*
Coverage for Terrorism*
Coverage for Unannouced Strike
Coverage for Inclement Weather
Coverage if home is uninhabitable by fire or weather
Coverage for military duty
Kids free
Travel Delay	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Missed Connection	$250	$250	$250
Deductible
Emergency Medical Transportation	$500,000	$500,000	$500,000
Optional Umbrella Package
Credit Card Protected
Baggage Delay	$750	$750	$750
Accidental Death and Dismemberment	Optional	Optional	Optional
Extra Coverage	Optional	Optional	Optional
Flight Accident Coverage	Optional	Optional	Optional
Car Rental Collision Coverage	Optional	Optional	Optional
Travel Medical Assistance
Emergency Travel Assistance
Worldwide Travel Assistance
Concierge Services
Business Assistant Services	optional	optional	optional
Roadside Assistance
Coverage for Termination of Employment of Layoff
Coverage for Felonious Assault
Coverage for Traffic Accidents
Fee Refund
Golf Course Closure
Coverage for Government Restrictions or Bans on Hunting Activities

Most travel insurance policies include something called “free-look” period, which gives you a certain amount of time to return the policy for a refund. This allows travelers to purchase the plan they like, and spend some additional time reading through it and finalizing their decision.

Most free-look periods are between 10-15 days

Most policies offer a free-look period of between 10-15 days. This means you can buy the policy, return it for any reason (within that time), and receive a premium refund. There may be some small administration fees, but they are usually only $3-$5, and it is well worth the peace of mind knowing you can take your time reading through the coverage.

There are a few conditions of using a free-look refund

If you return the policy for a refund within the free-look period, you will receive that refund pending the following conditions:

• you must return the policy prior to departure
• you have not made any claims on the policy

Compare quotes for travel insurance using a comparison site

Several sites let travelers compare quotes for all different travel insurance policies at the same time, just like Expedia.com lets you compare airfares (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

According to the DOT (Dept. of Transportation), complaints about lost, delayed and damaged luggage are at an all time high. In fact, figures released recently by the DOT indicate that 2006 is on course to be the worst year for lost and mishandled baggage since 1991.

Travelers blame airline restrictions for increase in baggage problems

After 9/11 it was small fingernail clippers and razors, and in the past year we have added liquids and gels to the list. These carry-on restrictions force travelers to check more bags than they have in the past, and this increase in checked bags has resulted in more problems.

Travel insurance plans include coverage for lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed baggage

The most popular type of travel insurance is called a package plan, or sometimes a comprehensive plan. This type of travel insurance is perfect for most travelers because it provides a wide variety of benefits, including baggage coverage.

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

Medical expense and emergency evacuation coverage is important

Even though the other benefits are important while taking a trip, the really important coverage is the medical expense and evacuation. These are the costs that can get very high, and paying out-of-pocket could be catastrophic. Medical expenses can run in the 10′s of thousands, and e required evacuation could easily cost over $100,000. Without the right insurance coverage, you could be required to pay this yourself.

Check the policy certificate for any exclusions

The important thing os to check your coverage carefully. Read the certificate and check the “exclusions” section to see if they have ruled out skiing accidents. In general, as long you are not taking part in professional skiing or racing, winter activities are covered.

If you have further questions, ask a professional

If you are not sure about a certain policy, the best thing to do is ask a professional. The easiest way to do this is using a comparison site, because they can answer questions about several companies’ policies at the same time, instead of making you call around and deal with each company.

Here’s what to do:

1. Go to a comparison site (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)
2. Enter your trip details and get instant policy quotes
3. Read a little about each policy to find out if skiing is covered
4. Call the comparison site’s toll-free number, they can answer questions about all products

Travelex is know for their international traveler financial services such as currency exchanges, travelers cheques, transfers, and travel insurance. They have actual locations throughout the world, which helps their visibility and trust level. In regards of 1-stop shopping, it is hard to beat Travelex for international financial needs.

TraveLite is a comprehensive plan for everyday travelers

Travelex has a couple basic plans with several upgrade options. TraveLite is the most basic, providing $50,000 in emergency medical coverage.

As with most comprehensive plans, Travelex’s TraveLite includes coverage for:

• trip cancellation
• trip interruption
• travel delay
• baggage loss and delay
• medical expense/emergency assistance
• emergency medical evacuation

TraveLite also includes the new JournEase program benefits

The JournEase program, included with both TraveLite and Travel Plus plans, is a benefit package that includes extra coverage. These are unique coverages, and provide extra value. They include:

• Event Ticket Secure- Reimburses you for unused event tickets to theatrical, concert and sporting events purchased while on your trip that you are unable to use due to a covered reason within the JournEase Program Guide.
• Identity Secure- Provides a vast array of assistance services and covers many of the expenses you incur to restore your identity.
• Medicalsummary.com- Secure Internet-based health information service.

Online quotes and purchasing made easy

You can get quotes for Travelex products at travelex-insurance.com, and read more about the benefits.

Using a comparison site to shop around is smart (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

CSA Travel Protection is a very reputable company selling travel insurance. They recently consolidated several different policy choices into two, simpler package plans: Freestyle and Freestyle Luxe. Freestyle is their basic plan which offers great overall coverage for most travelers. Freestyle Luxe is an upgraded plan that offers higher coverage amounts and a couple extra benefits.

“Just give us the best plan”

CSA made the choices simpler for travelers seeking trip insurance. They found many travelers simply saying, “just give us the best plan”, and they answered by putting together a comprehensive plan called Freestyle, and an upgrade plan called Freestyle Luxe.

Just like CSA’s Freestyle plan, the Freestyle Luxe travel policy includes coverage for:

• trip cancellation
• trip interruption
• travel delay
• baggage loss and delay
• medical expense/emergency assistance
• emergency medical evacuation

In addition, Freestyle Luxe provides these policy upgrades

• higher baggage coverage (from $1,000 to $1,500)
• higher baggage delay coverage ($200 to $500)
• higher medical expense coverage ($50,000 to $250,000)
• higher medical evacuation coverage ($250,000 to $1,000,000)
• higher collision damage waiver coverage ($25,000 to $50,000)
• higher AD&D flight only ($100,000 to $200,000)
• AD&D travel accident $50,000
• pre-existing condition coverage
• supplier bankruptcy and default coverage

Freestyle Luxe gives travelers higher levels of coverage and additional benefits

The upgrade to Freestyle Luxe gives travelers significantly higher coverage amounts in 6 areas: baggage, baggage delay, medical expenses, medical evacuation, rental collision damage waiver, and flight AD&D. The policy also adds coverage for travel accident AD&D, pre-existing medical conditions, and supplier bankruptcy or default.

Online quotes and purchasing made easy

Travelers can easily get quotes for CSA Travel Protection products at csatravelprotection.com , and even buy their policy online using a credit card. They offer both Freestyle and Freestyle Luxe.

Use a comparison site to shop around

Another option is to use a comparison site(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site), where you can get a quote for CSA products and compare them side-by-side with other similar plans. This is the best way to find the right plan and get the best prices. The policy costs the same whether you buy from a comparison site or directly from the carrier.

Travelsafe is a long established company with an A- A.M.Best rating, meaning they are very reputable. A division of the Chester Perfetto Agency, Inc., Travelsafe has been in business since 1971.

They offer a variety of products, but their Vacation insurance is their most popular product, and is perfect for most travelers.

As with most package plans, Travelsafe’s Vacation insurance policy includes coverage for:

• trip cancellation
• trip interruption
• travel delay
• baggage loss and delay
• medical expense/emergency assistance
• emergency medical evacuation with hospital of choice
• AD&D
• 24 hour emergency assistance hot-line
• “cancel for any reason” option available

Travelsafe offers innovative “cancel for any reason” coverage

An option offered with the Vacation plan, “cancel for any reason” allows the traveler to cancel their trip, up to 2 days prior to departure, and receive a 75% reimbursement of pre-paid, non-refundable trip payments. This option costs more, but gives travelers great flexibility.

Online quotes and purchasing made easy

Travelers can easily get quotes for Travelsafe products at Travelsafe.com, and even buy their policy online using a credit card. They offer their vacation plan, as well as other travel insurance plans including Premier, Custom, and Insure-A-Flight.

Use a comparison site to shop around

Another option is to use a comparison site (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site) where you can get a quote for Travelsafe products as well as several other companies’ products, and choose the best one for you. The policy costs the same whether you buy from a comparison site or directly from the carrier.

“Cancel for any reason” coverage is a new product that gives travelers more flexibility

This is a relatively new product to come to the market, and it shows how travel insurance companies are tailoring their products to the customer’s needs. Two companies offer policies with “cancel for any reason” options: Travelsafe and M.H.Ross, who operates Tripinsurance.com.

Coverage costs extra, but provides peace of mind

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra money, but many travelers like the flexibility of being able to cancel their trip without taking a total loss financially.

Cancel for any reason coverage will pay 75% of the non-refundable trip cost. Even though it is only partial refund of payments, it is better than a total loss, and many travelers spend the extra money for the peace of mind.

Be aware of the small print with “cancel for any reason” coverage

There are some conditions for cancel for any reason policies. This policy option covers 75% of the non-refundable trip costs. Cover requires that:

• the plan be purchased within 15 days of the trip deposit
• you select the “cancel for any reason” option when purchasing the policy
• all pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs are insured
• your trip is canceled 2 days prior to the departure date

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

Every holiday season is a very busy time for air travel, and winter storms can cause severe delays. The recent blizzards in Denver caused major delays and closed Denver airports for days. Thousands of travelers were stuck in the airport, and were forced to wait it out. Many connecting flight were missed in other locations due to the delays that ripple through the airline system.

Travel insurance can cover travel delay costs

Package plan travel insurance policies include coverage for travel delay and expenses caused by travel delay. Travel insurance can cover hotel costs or alternate transportation. The major variable is the length of delay before the policy kicks in, and the amount of coverage. The lower delay time, the sooner the delay benefits can be used. The amount of coverage usually states a daily amount and a maximum amount.

Here is a table showing the major travel insurance companies and their respective coverage for travel delay. Companies and policies are listed in order of length of delay. They range from 3 hours to 24 hours.