A world in crisis means pre-purchasing travel insurance

April 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Buy your travel insurance early to avoid price increasesWith political revolutions in North Africa and across the Middle East, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and more, travelers across the globe are looking into purchasing their travel insurance plans early. Not only because most plans require you to purchase your plan soon after making your initial trip payment, but also due to recent payouts and the potential for rising costs.

Due to payouts from multinational companies required to cover the losses due to the latest round of disasters and bad weather this past winder, prices of travel insurance products you may need to cover your vacation in the coming months may go higher.

Consider buying an annual plan at today’s prices

Under annual travel insurance plans, multiple trips are covered with the same benefits without having to have your travel plans locked down tight. You’ll be covered for the next year for any trips you want take.

In addition, multi-trip plans are available in many duration periods, so if you only want to cover the coming summer travel months, you’ll be set.

 

Insurance Tips for Travel to the Caribbean

October 28, 2008 By

 

caribbean-travel-insuranceThe Caribbean island getaway is heralded as the ultimate vacation bliss. People head to the islands for honeymoons, anniversaries or much-needed relaxation all the time. Caribbean beaches are a great place to catch a tan, but it’s also helpful to remember that travel insurance for the Caribbean can help you avoid several trip hiccups that can come with the beautiful island scenery.

Even though the tropical climate is the reason why people head to the islands each year that same climate can brew some nasty medical conditions that every vacationer wants to avoid. The tropical climate also brings with it some less-than-perfect tropical weather, such as hurricanes, which means travelers might want to have a plan to get away from the islands in case of an emergency.

There are numerous types of travel insurance for the Caribbean that cover medical expenses associated with travel in tropical climates. There’s no telling just how your body will react to the climate change when you step off the plane, and it’s great to make sure that worries about your health don’t affect your travel enjoyment. Of course having shots and vaccinations taking care of before the trips is another way to make sure that medical woes don’t stall your trip before it gets started.

The weather threat that could ruin any vacation is the tropical storm. From June through November, these ferocious weather systems hit the Caribbean often, and it’s impossible to plan around them. So when you have travel insurance for the Caribbean you can choose coverage for trip cancellation if you want to cancel your trip because of a possible storm Alternatively there is also coverage in many plans for emergency evacuation, in case a storm does seem to be head towards the island you are on in the middle of your vacation. Travel insurance for the Caribbean can keep travel woes in check.

Photo: topyti

Travel Insurance Help for Trips to Canada

October 21, 2008 By

travel-insurance-canadaAlthough Canada may not seem like a particularly exotic travel destination for most Americans, it can  still be a great experience to travel up north. Whether you are traveling to Canada’s culturally rich  cities such as Quebec City, Montreal, and Vancouver, or whether your goal is to see a polar bear in Manitoba, there are several important things to keep in mind to make sure your travel experience is the best it can be. Travel insurance for Canada can cover you in the event of frostbite while skiing or spraining and ankle while on Quebec’s cobblestone streets.

If you live in the Northern U.S., it may not seem necessary to have extra medical coverage since you can always go home.  But as delays at the border increase, it may be wise to have treatment that will cover you in Canada’s hospitals.  It might also be a good idea to get trip interruption insurance, especially in winter; if you get snowed in at Whistler and can’t get back to Vancouver for your spa hotel stay, trip interruption insurance can cover nonrefundable hotel costs. (Always read the fine print carefully to ascertain the particular types of coverage your travel insurance offers).

Be sure to purchase insurance against luggage loss, as it gets more difficult to obtain reimbursement or resolution of luggage loss from airlines.  Your luggage loss travel insurance should include coverage for expensive items such as skis or winter coats.

If you are planning on outdoor sports activities like skiing, heli-skiing, hockey, or ice climbing, be sure that your insurance will cover potentially risky activities. Sometimes it’s necessary to purchase extra coverage depending on the type of activities you’ll be engaged in.  No matter what your reason is for visiting Canada, you’re sure to enjoy getting to know your neighbors to the North.

Photo: jmv

Benefits of Travel Insurance for UK Driving

October 3, 2008 By

travel-insurance-ukAlthough the U.K., like Western Europe in general, avoids the problems associated with travel to developing nations, there are still issues that the wary traveler should keep an eye on during a vacation. One of these issues is the drastic difference in driving habits between the U.S. and U.K.

Travel insurance for UK Driving

For trips to the U.K., travel insurance should cover rental car damages or overages that may occur during your trip.  Driving in the U.K. can be an adventure. Driving on a different side of the road is just the beginning of some of the trickier parts of getting around via car in the U.K. The roads can be quite a bit narrower than in the United States, and drivers from abroad often don’t know just what they’re getting into when they take the keys. With travel insurance for trips to the U.K. you can make sure that issues with a rental car are covered and take some of the headaches out of travel across the pond.

Even on foot, the difference between U.S. and U.K. driving habits can be disorienting. For instance, you may look left to begin crossing the street, thinking that a car driving on the right side of the road will approach from the left, when in the U.K. the opposite is true.  This could be a recipe for disaster if you’re not aware of it.  In the case of a serious accident whether driving or walking, medical travel insurance can ensure the best possible treatment and a medical evacuation if necessary.  Moreover, travel insurance can reimburse you for trip interruption as well.

When traveling in general, (not just the U.K.), tourists may be targeted by pickpockets or scam artists; travel insurance can cover stolen items and save you considerable trouble in the event that you are the target of a theft.   No matter where you are traveling, it can be useful and worthwhile to obtain travel insurance that suits your needs and that would address potential problems you may encounter.

And one final piece of advice for your trip to the U.K.:  Mind the gap.

Photo By: e01

Who has the best travel insurance?

July 16, 2007 By 5 Comments

Lost luggage complaints are highest in over a decade, discover what you can do about it

February 2, 2007 By 4 Comments

Worst year for lost, delayed, and damaged luggage since 1991

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)

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