Travel insurance for UKDriving

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

Any of the above can really put a damper on your vacation. It’s important to take out some travel insurance to cover your baggage, but sometimes it’s smarter to avoid the problems in the first place.

Here’s a guide to help you keep your baggage with you and intact…and avoid filing baggage claims!

Before you go

1. Put ID tags on your bags; inside and out
Pretty basic here, but make sure you tag you bag properly with your name, address, and contact information. Use the outer tag holder so you can check it quickly. It is also a good idea to put a piece of paper on the inside with the same information. In case the outer tag gets torn off, airport personal can still find out who it belongs to.

2. Keep a copy of your itinerary inside your bags
If you do part ways with your luggage, this will make it easier for the airline to find you. The faster they find you, the faster they will get the bags to you.

3. Take a photo of your luggage contents
This is a fantastic tip, it even makes packing easier. When you are preparing to pack, lay out all your items on a bed or sofa and take a few digital pictures. Not only is it easier to review your entire packing list, but the digital record of your possessions will help if there is a loss and you need to file an insurance claim. (see photo right)

4. Take a photo of your bags
Along the same lines, when you are finished packing and have everything zipped up, arrange all your bags so you can snap a picture. In case of a problem, you can provide the airline with a “missing baggage” photo. (by the way…upload these pics to Flickr so if your stuff is stolen, they don’t go with the camera)

5. Protect your luggage contents with zip-top bags
From the “avoiding messy disasters” department, take some measures to protect your luggage contents. Buy some zip-top bags in 2 sizes; 1 gallon and 1 quart. You’ll need the 1 quart size for your 3-1-1 carry-on rule (3 oz liquid containers, 1 quart zip bag, 1 bag per traveler), but you can also use them for packing along with the larger 1 gallon size. There are 2 strategies here: seal the liquids in plastic bags, or protect your clothing with plastic bags. Some travelers like doing both, especially when the baggage inspectors need to look through your underwear.

Using the Right Gear

6. Buy sturdy, high-quality luggage with a warranty
When shopping for luggage, overestimate the amount you will use it and spend some extra money on a quality bag. Some people figure they only travel one or two times a year, but investing in a good bag now is a smart buy for years and years.

Buy a good, sturdy, well rated piece that will be versatile and long lasting. Get an idea for how much you tend to pack, and look for a bag that will accommodate this. Bag size is rated on a cubic-inch basis, but shape and construction also matter. For example: a 2500 cubic inch duffel bag and a 2500 cubic inch roll-aboard hold the same amount, the the hard sides of the roll-aboard might make packing a little trickier. Many bags have expanding compartments that allow for extra versatility.

Look for luggage companies that have great warranties for construction, zippers, wheels, etc. A well known, reputable luggage company will have a good warranty.

7. Replace worn or damaged luggage
Even great quality bags eventually wear out. When your bag starts wearing, fabric might tear and open, zippers could fail, or handles could be ripped off. If your bags are in the million mile club, it might be time to upgrade.

8. Use bags with pocket-style tag holders
There are 2 types of luggage tag holders. One is an actual tag itself, usually leather or plastic. You slip your written information inside of this holder and attach it to the bag handle. This type will easily be ripped off, leaving your luggage without any exterior identification.

The better style of luggage tag lies flat against the bag itself, like a pocket. You write your information down and slip it inside, where it is much more protected. Use a bag with this style of tag.

9. Buy TSA-approved locks
All checked baggage is subject to inspection, and if you are using a regular luggage lock you might find it cut off when you reach your destination. They will place the broken lock in your bag with an informational card explaining that your bag was chosen for inspection, and they needed to remove the lock off with bolt cutters.

To avoid replacing your lock every time you fly, invest in a TSA approved luggage lock. The TSA has a “skeleton key” for these approved locks, and can simply unlock it instead of breaking it off. Here are some funky ones, here are some with a registry system, and some locks and general travel accessories.

10. Make your bags stand out somehow if they are standard black
Guess what? The you like simple black luggage, and so does everyone else. From spotting it on the carousel to putting in a missing bag report, it helps if the bag stands out somehow.

Identify your bags with an easy to see, yet unique marking such as colored duct tape or a colored strap.

General Strategy

11. Ship your bags to your destination
This is a growing trend with travelers seeking hassle-free adventures. There are several companies that specialize in baggage shipping. They will pick it up, take care of transport, and have your bags waiting at your destination.

They charge a modest fee for this; but what do you get for your money? 1) You save time and aggravation by skipping the baggage check lines, 2) With many airlines charging for everything these days, you can potentially skip extra baggage fees, porter tips, and 3) There is less risk of losing your bags.

One company doing this is Luggage Froward, another is Luggage Concierge, and The Luggage Club.

12. Carry spares of essential items
Pack a day’s worth of clothes, toiletries, and medications in your carry on. If there is a problem, you can at least get by until the airline finds your bags and gets them to you.

13. Arrive at the airport & check in on time
Believe it or not, the most common cause of lost baggage is the late check in.

Even though we get annoyed sometimes waiting for boarding, take-off, the baggage carousel, etc., the airline industry pulls off a miracle every day. They coordinate thousands of travelers, trips, connections, bags, employees, and countless other responsibilities. If you check in 15 minutes before take-off and barely make it to your seat, how is your bag supposed to make it with you?

Get there early, check your bags, go to the gate, and relax. Travel should be fun.

14. Don’t check items that shouldn’t be checked
Make sure you are checking bags that are sturdy enough for the airline luggage handling system. No trash bags with half a roll of duct tape, crushed boxes tied with string, or shopping bags with the top stapled shut. If you expect your checked items to make it through the system, be smart and check the right bags.

15. Don’t check a broken bag
If your bag has broken wheels, straps, zippers, handles, latches, or locks, there is a greater chance of getting stuck and torn apart in transit to the plane. Picture this: You settle into your seat and start thumbing through Sky-Mall, just in time to look out the window and spot your thong collection leading back to the hanger like a trail of erotic breadcrumbs.

Refer back to #17, it might be time to get a new bag.

16. Don’t check bags that won’t close properly
If it needs extra straps, layers of packing tape, or a web of bungee cords, it probably won’t make it through. After your bags disappear down that check-in chute, they see conveyor belts, scanners, electronic sorters, human hands, and that little train car that take them to the plane. An overstuffed bag that isn’t latched properly is just begging to burst open.

Be smart, take something out, and secure the bag properly.

17. Don’t check bags that should be carry-ons
Some bags are meant to be checked, some aren’t. Small bags, laptop bags, briefcases, plastic garment bags, and even the ubiquitous promotional swag bag are not meant to be checked.

18. Don’t wrap gifts when traveling during the holidays
During the busy holiday travel season, many fliers hit the air with gifts for friends and family. If these gifts are wrapped and ready to go, they might not be when they get to your destination.

With all luggage being subject to inspection, a wrapped gift is likely to be unwrapped when you get to your destination. Skip the wrapping and do it when you get there.

19. Don’t check your most valued items
This one’s simple. If you couldn’t stand to lose it, don’t check it.

Use your carry-on bag for items like laptops, cameras, jewelry, cash, travel documents, and anything else that you couldn’t stand to see bumped around or even lost.

20. Verify your bags are checked all the way through to your destination
On connecting flights, make sure the agent checks your bags all the way through to your final destination. This should be done anyway, but it doesn’t hurt to double check and make sure your bags don’t stay behind in your connecting city.

21. Double-check your luggage claim checks before you leave the counter
Mis-tagging is one of the most common reasons for lost baggage. Before you leave the ckeck-in counter, double check to make sure your bags are heading to the right place.

Anti-Theft Tips

22. Arrive at the baggage claim carousel quickly to avoid stolen bags
When you get off the flight, skip the stop at Cinnebon. The more time your bag spends doing laps on the carousel, the better chance of a thief grabbing it. They look for lonely, owner-less bags going round and round.

23. Avoid expensive looking luggage
I know you’re in love with it, but the Gucci luggage set screams “Take me, open me, I’m full of good stuff!”.

If your bags stand out, they stand out for everyone, including thieves. Your best bet is to use simple, quality luggage that doesn’t catch the attention of thieves.

24. Do not use a business card for your luggage tag
When a thief sees a luggage tag with “CEO Initech Corp.” on it, they start to salivate. A thief will look for high profile professions where they have a better chance at the bigger score.

25. Don’t put gifts in your bags during the theft-popular holiday season
During the holidays there is a surge in theft, usually from the baggage claim carousel. During Christmas and other gift-giving holidays, thieves know there is a better chance of a better score. Either carry on your gifts or ship them ahead.

Zen tips

26. Travel Light
The less you take, the less you have to lose. Don’t check bags, and go minimal on the packing (budgeting to buy essential items as you go will help with this).

The best way to prevent losing your checked bags is to not check them. (This is the “abstinence solution” in the world of lost baggage).

ZenHabits has some great tips on traveling light and simple.

27. Be sure you take your own bags at the carousel
“This must be my black Sampsonite. Let’s get outta here!”

Mistake or not, it’s not good for anyone to take the wrong bags from the carousel. Check your bags, check your tags, and make sure you aren’t part of the problem.

I did everything on this list, but I still lost my bag

(Bonus Tip) Complete lost baggage forms immediately after an incident
Ok, so you followed every piece of advice and your bags still didn’t make the trip. Seek assistance right away and fill out any necessary forms. They will need your flight information, claim tickets, and a bag description (aren’t you glad you took a picture…see #3)

Photo Credits

Photo #1: bergie

Photo #2: Mimmm

Photo #3: ngader

Photo #4: geishaboy500

It’s a chance to step out of your normal surroundings and become part of something much bigger. Although making an impact through volunteering is great, it does carry some extra risks, so it’s helpful to have overseas travel insurance while volunteering abroad.

Volunteers sometimes work in particularly volatile environments, so it can be important to have coverage for emergency evacuation in case the situation in the country becomes overly hostile or dangerous.

Some volunteer organizations provide overseas travel insurance

Depending on the type of volunteer work you are doing (for instance, if you are a medical volunteer or if you are engaging in construction projects) you may be particularly vulnerable to illness or injury.  The program that you are volunteering with may offer some type of travel insurance, but read all of the information carefully to make sure that it meets your requirements.

Sometime the countries that need the most help from volunteers are those that are the most dangerous or volatile to volunteer in. Whether a country is undergoing political change or unrest, or some sort of natural disaster relief it is always good to have coverage for emergency evacuations when heading into such environments.

It’s sometimes hard to know just how volatile a situation really is. Perhaps a country may seem perfectly stable before the trip, but suddenly it takes a turn for the worse. Many types of overseas travel insurance for volunteers have coverage for these kinds of possibilities.

Of course, the other common threat that comes with overseas volunteering is illness and medical emergencies. Overseas countries are not only a different world culturally, they are also very different in terms of viruses and bacteria that cause illness. It is important to have travel insurance for overseas volunteers that covers possible medical expenses.

Even with warnings not to drink the water,  volunteers may forget and get sick from the local water. A volunteer’s immune system often isn’t equipped for the many new kinds of disease and illness it can be exposed to.  In some areas, the right kind of medical care may not be easily available, but travel insurance will often cover medical evacuation.

Volunteering vacations are an increasingly popular option for travelers of all ages; it’s important that potential catastrophes can be alleviated with travel insurance.

Photo by: dlbezaire

If you take several trips on an annual basis, it might be smart to purchase an annual trip travel  insurance policy, made specifically for frequent travelers. Travel insurance companies design these plans to cover you throughout the year, regardless of how many trips you take.

This means that you can take a trip every month of the year, and have a single annual travel insurance policy cover you (although there are usually limits on the total number of days traveling, or the length of any individual trip, depending on the policy certificate).

Many of these plans are made for frequent business travelers that include special “business-related” coverage, but there are several focused on non-business, “everyday” travelers.You can save both time and money if you purchase one plan for your entire year of travels.

Annual travel insurance is primarily for medical purposes, but many plans provide additional benefits
Most people buy an annual plan for coverage like medical emergencies, emergency evacuations, interrupted trips, and emergency assistance. Many companies, however, offer additional benefits that make buying an annual plan a great choice for all of your year’s trips.

Annual plans are generally divided into two categories; Multi-Trip Travel Medical plans or Annual Trip Insurance plans. The multi-trip travel medical plans focus on medical emergencies/evacuations and similar coverage.

Annual trip insurance plans will provide coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, baggage, trip delays, flight accidents, and even rental car damage as with the Annual Deluxe plan from Elvia Travel Insurance. Other benefits of an annual trip insurance policy include the “services”, such as concierge, 24/7 assistance, and even entertainment suggestions.

For example: Travelex Travel Insurance offers an annual travel insurance plan called Annual Multi-Trip, and it includes their Worldwide Assistance & Concierge service.

Since every trip has varying non-refundable pre-paid costs (this is the amount of trip cancellation that you would buy), annual trip insurance plans usually have a set amount. For example: you might have an annual plan with a $1,000 per year limit on trip cancellation coverage.

Since there is a trip cancellation component, as well as some additional coverages, annual trip insurance is usually more expensive, but can still be had for a few hundred dollars a year.

Annual travel insurance is not just for international travelers
Many travelers link annual plans are just for jet-set international travelers, but this is not always true. A multi-trip travel medical plan is usually used for international travelers who are not covered by their home country health insurance. If you are going overseas, you need to make sure you have medical coverage, and most health insurance providers do no cover you outside your home country. This is why you would need travel medical insurance.

A domestic traveler, however, should have health insurance that follows them around their home country. For this type of traveler, an annual trip travel insurance policy would be a good choice to provide the additional benefits. It would also provide secondary medical coverage in the event your personal health insurance did not provide enough.

Travelers who take several trips in their home country would benefit from an annual trip insurance plan in several ways. Many companies, such as Access America Travel Insurance, offer plans like Annual Travel Protection that are very comprehensive:

• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Baggage Coverage
• Baggage Delay Coverage
• Travel/Trip Delay Coverage
• Rental Car Damage (this alone could be worth it!)
• Emergency Assistance….and more

Consider annual trip travel insurance if you travel more than 3-4 times per year
How many trips make it worthwhile to purchase an annual plan? It depends on the traveler, but if you travel 3+ times a year and purchase a policy each time, it’s worth getting a quote for an annual policy. Again, there are difference between a single-trip policy and an annual policy, but it might be the right choice for you.

Mexico travel insurance can cover you if any of your belongings are lost or stolen. Furthermore, if you come down with a nasty stomach virus or other illness or injury, you may require medical evacuation so that you may be treated at home.  While you’ll probably be one of the many thousands of tourists who enjoy a trouble-free vacation in Mexico, it’s always good to prepare for adverse situations.

Also, considering some of the happenings at locations like Cancun during spring break it’s good to have insurance that covers accidental injuries, whether you are at fault or not.  If you are a student, you should be able to get short or long term student travel insurance depending on the length of your stay in Mexico (for instance, if you are spending a semester there to learn Spanish, you’ll need longer-term insurance).  Remember, of course, that even though spring break might feel like one giant party, bad things can still happen. Take appropriate precautions like staying with trusted friends and knowing your limitations.

Be aware that travel insurance may not cover injuries received from risky activities such as scuba diving or bungee jumping.  In some cases, you may be able to obtain a rider that will provide coverage if you do plan to engage in any of the more adventurous pastimes available in Mexico. Mexico can be a great place for outdoor activities, such as exploring archaeological sites, snorkeling, climbing volcanoes, caving, and sailing; remember that it’s imperative to choose coverage that will still work even if you have injury or loss resulting from one of these types of activities.

Photo by: wedgienet

Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Moon Guides, and Footprints are all geared towards adventurous people with a variety of budgets. Lonelyplanet.com has a plethora of resources for travelers, including the ever-popular Thorn Tree, where you can get practically any travel-related question answered within hours (just search by topic first to make sure that the question is not an oft-repeated one.) Let’s Go guides, edited by Harvard students, are known for scouting out the cheapest possible accommodation and food, although they do include a range of choices. If you’ve traveled as a student, chances are you recall this yellow-spined favorite.

Your local library or bookstore will also have great, inspiring travel classics by such authors as Eric Newby, Bruce Chatwin, Pico Iyer, and Beryl Markham. For U.S. travel, Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon is a classic, and paints a compelling picture of an all-but-vanished America. For a humorous look at travel in the U.S. and elsewhere, check out Bill Bryson. For comedic and sometimes harrowing stories of travel gone horribly awry, search “travel humor” at Amazon. You’ll come up with a long list of anthologies devoted to travel. Some will make you vow never to leave your comfy chair again, while others may inspire you to quit your job and be a nomad. You have been warned.

For further inspiration, visit the National Geographic website, which has amazing photography and interactive features. TripAdvisor.com offers tremendously useful information on accommodation and dining, whether you’re traveling far or staying close to home. If you want to blog your own trip, Travelblog.org and Bootsnall both offer opportunities for you to stay wired to friends and family while you’re away. They can also be an excellent resource for trip planning, as you can read blogs and see breathtaking pictures taken by travelers all over the world. Even if your next vacation is months away, you can still plan for your next great adventure.

Photo by: malias

Why should you buy travel insurance online?

1. Immediate and accurate quotes
2. Buying travel insurance online is instant
3. Access to your policy information

Buying travel insurance online give you immediate and accurate quotes
When you go online to purchase travel insurance, you benefit by getting immediate and accurate quotes for your specific trip. Whether you purchase the policy directly from the travel insurance company, or use a comparison engine, you are getting a real-time quote that is unique and accurate for your trip details.

Many insurance “quote” sites (home, auto, life, etc.)  ask you to enter your information, only to say that someone will contact you shortly with a quote. That usually means they have sold your “lead” information to several companies or agencies, and each one will call or email with a quote. Sometimes this happens the same day; sometimes it will take days or you will never get your quote at all.

Travel insurance is designed to be quoted and purchased online. Since it is a temporary insurance product, the “underwriting” process is simpler and immediate issuance is available. You enter your trip information, some personal information like age and place of residence, and they can give you an accurate quote to the penny.

Buying travel insurance online is instant
As mentioned above, the “decision” process for travel insurance is simplified because it is a temporary product. You aren’t buying a 30-Year Term Life policy, so they don’t need to know about smoking habits, etc. You simply provide your trip information, some personal information, get your quote, and buy right away using a credit card.

You heard correctly. You can use a credit card to purchase a travel insurance policy online. When you find the right policy, simply enter your card information on the secure payment page and purchase the travel insurance plan. You will typically receive an email confirming your coverage, and many companies will send an actual policy in the mail. (NOTE: A printout of the confirmation email is typically sufficient for proof of coverage, and it also will have emergency contact phone numbers and websites)

Access to your policy information
Another advantage of buying travel insurance online is having 24/7 access to your policy information from anywhere in the world via an internet connection. If you forget your printed policy at home, no problem. If you lose your policy because is was in your stolen suitcase (good thing you have travel insurance!), no problem.

Most travel insurance companies have a special log in area for policyholders where you can review your coverage and access emergency contact information in case on a claim.

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As with most travel insurance plans, you can choose comprehensive benefits to cover everything from medical emergencies to lost baggage and concierge services. Or, you can stick with the basics and just obtain emergency medical and evacuation, depending on your needs.


Senior travel insurance coverage that you need to consider
Of course, every plan is different, but most travel insurance plans provide a basic level of coverage including the following benefits:

• Senior travel insurance should include emergency medical, including hospital room and board, and local ambulance services
• Emergency medical reunion to bring a family member to your bedside if you are hospitalized
• Acts of terrorism that occur in destinations on the traveler’s itinerary
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delays that can occur for a variety of reasons
• Emergency medical evacuations and repatriation
• Return of minor grandchildren traveling without their parents with the insured
• Loss of baggage and personal effects
• AD&D
• Coverage for loss or damage to rental cars
• Pre-existing medical conditions*

Senior Travel Insurance Coverage Matrix

The following table lists the providers who offer travel insurance plans to seniors. Most plans that are designed for seniors offer the same travel protection as the company’s plans for younger travelers, but in some cases with slightly reduced maximums or higher deductibles.

Millions of travelers will attend the summer games in Beijing, China
Later this summer, millions of travelers from around the world will descend on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China with hopes of seeing Gold medalists and exploring a fascinating new country. This can be a great adventure for travelers young and old, but there are a few things travelers need to be aware of before they go.

Olympic-bound travelers must consider their health and medical safety
Anytime you travel, your health and safety are a concern. Many travelers like to try new things; whether it’s new exotic foods, unusual activities, unfamiliar sights, and various other “foreign-land” adventures. If you are heading to Beijing to see the 2008 Olympics, you will absolutely experience a variety a “new things”. Some will be harmless, but some will increase your risk of getting sick, injured, or ill. New foods, unfamiliar surroundings, or a day-trip adventure could result in any sort of accident.

Health insurance from home won’t cover medical expenses while abroad
When traveling in your home country, a slight mishap won’t cause too much trouble as long as you have health insurance. Your insurance from your home travels with you as long as you are in your home country.

Travelers are surprised, however, to learn that the same coverage that protects them at home will not always travel with them overseas. In fact, most health insurance from the US does not provide coverage once you leave the US, including Medicare. That means that when you leave your home country, you are left with no medical coverage to protect you in case of accidents, illnesses, or sicknesses. An unexpected visit to a foreign hospital can be a scary (and expensive) experience.

Transportation to get an injured traveler home can cost $50,000 or more
The costs of having an accident or getting sick while overseas doesn’t end with the emergency medical care costs. The other downside of needing medical care while abroad is the problem of getting back home. In many cases, an injured or sick passenger cannot simply fly on a commercial airline. They might need a specially equipped medical flight, or even an emergency medical evacuation.

Travelers going to the Olympics in China need travel insurance
The answer is to purchase travel insurance for your Olympic trip to China. A travel medical insurance plan is a temporary policy that covers you for the length of your trip. A good travel medical policy will provide:

• assistance in finding a hospital
• transportation if needed
• translation assistance
• payment for covered expenses

Important! Most travel medical plans even provide coverage that pays for emergency medical evacuation and transportation costs, which can be staggering. Make sure the one you choose provides this!

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These alerts are issued to share information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens.

Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert.

Click here to read all current travel alerts