Traveling on your own is already tough, but traveling with children presents a whole new challenge. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth trip:

Preparation: There is nothing more important than making sure you have everything covered. When you are planning your travel itinerary, choose some places of interest which may interest your children so they will look forward to the trip. It’s no point dragging them through the grandest paintings in the history of the world when they would be much happier shaking hands with Mickey Mouse. From travel insurance to transportation, ensure that you attend to every detail.

Packing: Many parents try to pack as much stuff as possible so the children will feel “at home” even when they are thousands of miles away. When you go on a holiday, most likely, you will buy souvenirs and other products. If your luggage is already full and exceeds the maximum check in weight imposed by the airline, you will have to pay a penalty. If your children are old enough, it’s a good idea to get them their own luggage or knapsack. Don’t bring too many clothes because laundry service is available in most places. Try to travel as light as possible.

Emergencies: Some people fail to consider the possibility of emergencies when traveling. Accidents, injuries, and illnesses can happen, even on holidays. It’s important that you have all the necessary medication to treat such common minor illnesses like cold, fever, tourist tummy, and motion-sickness because children or adults can fall ill during travel. A travel-sized first-aid kit is highly recommended. To cover against more serious emergencies, it will be a great to get travel medical insurance for the whole family.

Travel Insurance: Speaking of emergencies, it is always a good idea to prepare for unexpected events, especially when traveling with children. Many travel insurance policies offer great coverage specifically for kids, and oftentimes kids are covered free with an adult.

Lodging: Explore lodging options according to the needs of your family. If you have a family of eight, you may want to consider renting an apartment instead of a few hotel rooms. Other than saving some money, it will be easier to coordinate your party in a single apartment rather than several hotel rooms. Check the facilities and services to ensure the apartment or hotel rooms are suitable for your family. Try to book ahead, especially during peak season.

Traveling: Whether taking an airplane, train, ferry, or any other form of transportation, it’s your responsibility to make sure your children are not causing a ruckus. On a long flight or train ride, bring some books or games so the children have something to do on their own. It’s also a good idea to bring their favorite snacks and candies, just in case they need something to munch on.

With the right preparation and spirit, traveling with children can be a richly rewarding experience.

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Traveling anywhere is tricky enough without having to worry about age restrictions, but there are some circumstances when age actually matters, especially in the matters of travel insurance and limitations.

Single Trip
When purchasing single trip travel insurance, you are buying insurance for just a single trip that’s usually relatively short. As a result, the age restrictions are often a bit more lenient. Most companies offer special plans for senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 89 years. Naturally, these policies have higher premiums because a person within this age range is more likely to need medical coverage over that period of time. Single trip insurance typically covers prescriptions and emergency medical services as well as lost luggage.

Travel Medical Insurance
When obtaining travel medical insurance for traveling abroad, there are usually age restrictions as well. These restrictions are usually not that different from single trip insurance policies, and the premium is higher. This kind of insurance covers prescription medications and lost luggage as well as emergency services.

Annual Travel Insurance
When it comes to annual travel insurance, age restrictions are a bit different. As the insured person is planning on staying in a certain place for at least a year, the age restriction is usually a bit lower because younger people are less likely to need medical coverage. For most companies, the cut-off is around 79 years of age. If you are older, it can be tough to find an annual insurance policy.

Rental Car Policies
Most rental car companies have age restrictions. There is usually a minimum age restriction because car companies do not want to rent to people more likely to get into an accident. Typically, they will only rent a car to adults 21 years of age and older. Similarly, there is a maximum age range as well. Most companies do not rent to individuals over 74 years of age because the risk of a car accident is higher.

Flight Accident Insurance
Flight accident insurance has age restrictions although they are very different from company to company. It’s very common for companies to use a traveler’s age to determine the rate of coverage. For instance, the payout for a senior is typically less than that of a middle-aged man because the insurance company weighs many different aspects before issuing a flight accident policy.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Typically, there are no age restrictions when it comes to accidental death and dismemberment insurance. There is generally no fluctuation in rates due to age. This type of coverage is designed to provide for the family of the person who is dismembered or killed in an accident.

Medical Evacuation
Medical evacuation service is basically an insurance covering the cost of airlifting or emergency transport. There are no age restrictions for this kind of insurance; the premium rises with your age. It’s most expensive for people who are 85 years of age and up.

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Many people are traveling by air these days, and there is plenty of baggage for the airport crew to manage. Sometimes, those who are handling the baggage may make a mistake or two, and this can result in damage or permanent loss of baggage. It is important for travelers to get travel insurance coverage for their baggage before they travel.

Baggage coverage is one of the common features in travel insurance policies, and it provides compensation for the damage, loss, or theft of baggage. While the airline may offer reimbursement for lost luggage, it may not be complete compensation. For example, if the total value of a traveler’s luggage is around $2,000, the airline may only reimburse  $750. To get a full compensation, travelers have to get baggage coverage that will provide compensation for the remaining amount. Baggage coverage from a travel insurance policy is considered secondary to the coverage offered by the airline.

Baggage coverage does not only provide compensation for damage and loss of luggage at the airport; it also covers loss, damage, or theft of baggage in hotels or other places during a trip. Travelers will be eligible to make a claim for compensation if they have done their best to protect their baggage and the baggage is lost or damaged because of specified circumstances, such as theft, fire, terrorist activities, strikes, and other incidents.

Many travel insurance policies do not provide full coverage for loss baggage, and they have specific compensation rates for every item or set of items in the baggage. Some policies also compensate for lost passports, as well as all the expenses incurred during the process of reapplying for the passports. Travelers who feel the maximum compensation is not enough to cover for their belongings can try to get better compensation at an extra cost. This is especially important for travelers who are planning to bring valuable belongings during their trips, such as: laptops, jewelry, electronic items, as well as expensive equipment for sports and other activities. There is a type of baggage coverage that provides compensation based on the current market value of each item in the loss baggage.

Baggage coverage may be limited to certain areas in the place of travel. Some policies only insure baggage within a certain city or several cities, but travelers can choose to extend the area of coverage by paying a higher premium. Baggage that does not accompany the traveler is not covered by a travel insurance policy), and a special policy is required to insure it.

Travelers should know they have to report loss of baggage to the police within 24 hours from the time they realize the baggage is lost. Then, a police report must be obtained before a claim for reimbursement can be made. If the baggage is lost at the airport, the airline staff should be notified immediately. Some airlines will provide funds to purchase clothes if the baggage is missing for more than 24 hours.

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Sometimes, you cannot prepare for the inevitable. No matter how perfectly planned your vacation is, some things are beyond your control. Bad weather conditions like hurricanes and severe thunderstorms can force you to cancel your vacation. What can you do?

Keep Calm: While you have every reason to feel angry or distressed, it’s most prudent to suppress those emotions, because there are many things to attend to. Just accept these things happen and move on.

Contact the Appropriate Parties: If you have booked your tour through a travel agent, contact them immediately to see what they can do. This is rather straight forward. Things may get a lot more complicated if you had made the travel reservations on your own. Most likely, your flight would have been cancelled so it’s appropriate to contact them and get their recommendations on the matter. Since it’s not your fault, you will be issued a refund or a credit for future flights. You will then have to cancel your accommodation and any other reservations, such as car rentals, theme parks, or others. In some cases, you may be able to get a full or partial refund, but sometimes, you may have to bear the full burden of the loss. This is why it’s always wise to find out about these things before you make reservations., and consider travel insurance.

Contact the Travel Insurance Company: This is where the travel insurance policy will come in handy. If the travel insurance policy was purchased before the bad weather announcement was made and your vacation is cancelled as a result of the conditions, you will be covered. In the event that you have only purchased the policy after the bad weather announcement is made, you will not be eligible for coverage. As with all insurance policies, there are finer points which will come into effect so it’s best to talk to the insurance company for more details. Then, a claim will need to be filed.

Go on an Alternative Vacation: While you may still be feeling the disappointment of your cancelled vacation, it’s no point to brood over it for too long. Once things have settled down, plan a new vacation. Unless you have the time and resources to plan another elaborate vacation, simply go to a place which is not so far away. Canceled vacations can have adverse effects on people. By going on an alternative vacation, no matter how small or inferior, you will find some much needed relief.

If you are forced to cancel your vacation because of bad weather, learn to look on the bright side. Would you rather be on your vacation in the middle of a hurricane?

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Family vacations provide a great opportunity to spend some precious time bonding with their loved ones. With the availability of affordable and attractive travel packages, more and more families are vacationing in other countries, where they can visit famous attractions and discover a whole new culture. One thing family travelers should know is a lot of unexpected things can happen during a family vacation in a foreign land, and this is especially true if they have children traveling along. Travelers should take the necessary precautions to ensure they will have a safe and worry-free vacation, and one of the things they will need is a family travel insurance policy.

It is not uncommon for children and adults to fall ill during an overseas vacation, because they may not get used to the food, living conditions, and climate in a foreign country. Having children fall ill during a vacation can be worrisome, because parents are not familiar with the medical services available in the country, and the cost of treatment can be very high too. It is very important for family travelers to get a good family travel insurance policy before their vacations.

A family travel insurance policy will provide coverage for all members of a family going on a vacation together, so they can get compensation for losses due to accidents, loss, or theft. Getting a family travel insurance policy is cheaper than purchasing several individual policies for all family members. A basic family policy will cover medical expenses, personal possessions, baggage, travel documents, and cancellation, but the extent of coverage for each item may vary from one policy to another.

Medical expenses coverage is one of the most important features of a family travel insurance policy, because it can help a family save thousands of dollars should any of the family members becomes injured or sick during the vacation. Some policies also offer coverage for emergency evacuation or rescue and repatriation; transportation expenses incurred for bringing injured or sick family members to a medical facility or back to their own country will be compensated. Family travelers can also avail of special policies that cover hazardous activities, such as skiing, and scuba diving, if they plan such activities during their vacations.

Personal possessions coverage will compensate for loss, damage, or theft of the personal belongings of all family members, but the compensation amount may not be equal to the value of the items. Those who are bringing valuable belongings, such as jewelry, expensive equipment, and laptops, can pay a higher premium to get a policy that provides better compensation.

Family travelers who are planning to go on vacations more than two times a year should get an annual multi trip travel insurance policy. This type of policy will provide coverage for every trip made within a year, and it is cheaper than the combined cost of a few single trip policies.

Many unexpected things can happen when a person is traveling. Other than accidents, a traveler may lose their possessions to theft. Being a victim of theft is something many travelers experience, especially if traveling to a foreign country. Locals in a foreign country have the perception that tourists bring a lot of cash and valuables along, and this makes travelers a common target for thieves.

It is important for travelers to get a travel insurance policy that provides protection for cash and belongings before they travel. Although measures can be taken to prevent theft, sometimes, theft or loss of possessions can be quite inevitable. With a travel insurance policy that offers coverage for theft of personal effects, travelers can be sure they will get compensation for items stolen during their travel. The types of travel insurance coverage that provide protection against theft are baggage coverage, personal effects coverage, and cash coverage. These items are usually covered in a basic travel insurance policy, but some insurance providers may offer them as special coverage options. It is advisable that travelers get coverage for all their belongings, so they will get some compensation when theft occurs.

Most travel insurance policies only offer partial coverage for baggage or personal belongings, and it may come as compensation per item or set of items. Usually, there is a fixed rate of compensation regardless of the values of the items. Travelers should make a list of the things they are bringing with them including a record of the value of each item. Those who are bringing expensive items such as: jewelry, electronic gadgets, laptops, costly sports or activity equipment should get special coverage for these items, because ordinary travel insurance policies do not provide full coverage for them. There are certain types of policies that will compensate policy holders according to the current market value of each loss item.

Baggage coverage is most beneficial to travelers visiting a few different places when they travel. It provides protection for loss of baggage in the airport as well as other locations during travel, but some travel insurance policies only offer coverage for baggage within a certain city or region. Those who are traveling to many locations can pay extra cost to get unlimited area coverage.

Travelers need to report theft of their belongings to the police as soon as they can, so that they can get a police report to make claims for compensation. The best way travelers can protect themselves from theft is to keep a close watch on their belongings at all times when traveling.

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Backpacking is becoming a more popular option among young travelers these days, because it enables them to discover many new places and cultures around the world. Backpackers travel on a budget, and they are exposed to higher risks of accidents, injuries, and illnesses: it is important for every backpacker to get a good backpacker travel insurance policy to provide sufficient compensation for expenses that may be incurred in the event of emergencies.

Many travel insurance providers offer backpacker travel insurance policies with specialized coverage for backpackers. Such policies are offered at lower rates than single trip travel insurance policies, and provide better coverage for a longer period of time. The duration of coverage can range from a week to two years, and this makes backpacker insurance policies attractive even to those who want to spend an extended period of time visiting friends or relatives in foreign countries. Backpacker travel insurance policies also offer special coverage for certain sports and activities backpackers may participate in.

Those who are planning to purchase a backpacker travel insurance policy should look out for certain types of coverage including: emergency medical expenses, personal liability, cancellation, rescue and repatriation, cash, baggage, and personal belongings. Since many backpackers travel to developing countries where the hygiene standards are low and a variety of infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis are prevalent, the coverage for medical expenses is essential should they become ill. Backpackers are known to be more adventurous than ordinary travelers, and may take part in hazardous activities. Medical expenses coverage will provide compensation in the event of accidents. If the activities are particularly high-risk, such as scuba diving and rock climbing, they may have to apply for special coverage. The rescue and repatriation coverage will protect backpackers from the costs of hiring rescue services if they are seriously injured as well as transportation expenses required to send them home.

Backpackers can be quite unpredictable therefore, cancellation coverage is also necessary. If they fail to make a flight on time, or cannot travel because of illnesses, they can get compensation for the amount of money lost for canceling a trip. The cash as well as baggage and personal belongings coverage included in the backpacker travel insurance policy will protect them from damage, loss, or theft. This is especially important for travelers who carry large amounts of cash, valuable belongings and costly equipment. If the maximum compensation amount does not cover their personal belongings, backpackers can opt for special coverage offering higher compensation.

To find the right backpacker travel insurance policy, it is advisable to shop around and compare different offers before purchasing a particular policy.

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When people think of traveling, they like to think about exotic destinations and fun. While it goes against the central idea of traveling, the reality is many people become ill while traveling. Now that the Swine Flu is making its rounds, it’s even more important to guard yourself against illnesses (and strongly consider travel medical insurance). In the event that you become ill on vacation, here’s what to do:

Monitor the Situation: Don’t make the mistake of jumping into false conclusions. If you have a fever or flu, it doesn’t mean that it’s definitely something as serious as the Swine Flu or malaria. Assuming you have brought along your supply of over-the-counter medication to treat common illnesses, just take the recommended amount and watch what happens. It’s wise to monitor the situation on the more common illnesses such as fever, cough, stomach upset, and others. Sometimes, it’s just the body’s reaction to differences in climate, humidity, food, air, or extensive traveling. If the situation improves, you should have nothing to worry about, go ahead an enjoy your vacation. Otherwise, you will need to go to the next step.

Minor Illnesses: For the treatment of minor illnesses like cough, cold, and common fever, go to a local clinic. The doctor will be able to give you prescribed medication which may deal with your illnesses much more effectively than over-the-counter medication. If the doctor believes you may have developed a more serious condition, he will recommend that you be admitted to a hospital. Since the cost of visiting a doctor in a clinic is rather affordable, pay for it first and submit the claim to the travel insurance company later.

Major Illnesses: Sometimes, it’s rather difficult to assess the seriousness of an illness. In this sense, it’s logical to consider if the illness is life-threatening. For instance, you have been having a diarrhea after consuming some food in a restaurant and the condition worsens even after taking some over-the-counter medication. There’s now a high chance you are suffering from a serious bout of food poisoning; you will have to be admitted to a hospital as soon as possible. In another scenario, you may have suffered a heart attack while watching a show so it’s a rather straight forward hospital case. If admitted to a hospital, it’s extremely important to contact the local representative of your travel medical insurance company so necessary arrangements can be made. The cost of hospitalization can be rather astronomical, it’s best to check to be sure your policy covers the country of your vacation, before purchasing it.

Inform Your Loved Ones: This may not be necessary if you only suffer a minor illness, but if you are to be hospitalized, inform your loved ones as soon as possible.

To become ill while traveling can be discouraging. For this reason, you should know what to do in such a situation.

When people retire, they have more time to pursue their interests and dreams. They also have more time to travel. Blessed with higher spending power and other incentives, more and more senior citizens are traveling. Here are some useful travel tips for senior citizens, including the purchase of senior travel insurance:

Making Plans: To have a memorable and stress free holiday, it’s necessary to make plans. For senior citizens, planning is especially important because there are many more things to consider. As time passes more quickly as one gets older, it’s also helpful to plan the itinerary in detail, allowing ample time to enjoy a certain place of interest at a leisurely pace. Make flight and hotel bookings early and ask about area attractions.

Concessions and Discounts: In an effort to reach out to senior citizens, many players in the travel industry offer special concessions and discounts to draw them in. Senior citizens aged 62 years or older can take advantage of discounted airfares from most airlines. There are also restaurants and hotels that offer special concessions for senior citizens so it’s worthwhile to seek out these places.

Identity Theft and Money Issues: According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 10 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year and 40% of these cases involve senior citizens. As a precautionary measure, senior citizens are advised to carry not more than two credit cards and only the identification cards that are the most important. If you lose your credit cards, call your bank and cancel the cards as soon as possible. Don’t carry too much cash or wear too much jewelry because you may be a target for crooks. Make special effort to protect your Social Security number and personal information.

Senior Travel Insurance: As with all travelers, senior citizens should not overlook the matter of travel insurance. If you are going to travel abroad, explore the option of acquiring travel medical insurance so you are covered in case medical assistance is needed. Medical bills in some countries can be unbelievably high so it’s best to be properly insured.

Maintaining Communication: It’s important to maintain communication with family and friends so they know where you are and how you are doing. To facilitate open communication, remember to bring your mobile phone along. In case of emergencies, inform your family members so they can arrange for assistance.

Pack Lightly: Don’t pack as many things into your luggage as possible. It’s not to go on vacation and drag around heavy suitcases that you cannot carry. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself with a heavy suitcase. Make sure to pack your medications preferably in a carry on, should your luggage get lost.

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Nowadays, the majority of airlines issue electronic airline tickets rather than traditional paper airline tickets. This has been the trend for quite some time and there are good reasons why more and more airlines are converting to e-tickets. Other than lower airfares, airlines and passengers will be delighted with electronic airline tickets because they can never be stolen or lost, unlike paper airline tickets.

Still, there are some airlines that only issue paper airline tickets and since you will rarely find a travel insurance policy to cover lost or stolen airline tickets, it is strongly advised to take every possible measure to ensure you have your airline ticket when you need it. The loss of an airline ticket can cause a lot of stress.

Usually, most airlines will not offer any form of instant replacement or compensation. Not many people know it, but paper airline tickets have monetary value and can be used by other parties, with good forged ID. In the event that you lose your airline ticket, here’s what to do:

• Do not panic. No matter how angry you feel, containing your emotions is always a positive move. Calmly try to think about how you may have lost it. Search through your belongings again to see if it was misplaced.
• Once you are sure the airline ticket is lost, contact your travel agent or the airline company, if you have purchased your ticket on your own. Ideally, you should have a photocopy of your airline ticket or the ticket number.
• Next, make a police report. If you don’t have a photocopy of the airline ticket or no record of the ticket number, provide details of your flight.
• On the day of your flight, go to the airport to try to get a replacement ticket. Unless you are very convincing, most likely, the airline will not issue a replacement ticket. If you have to get on the flight, you will have to buy a new ticket at the current rate, instead of the rate of your lost airline ticket, which can be quite a difference. If you are awarded a refund, it will be for the higher fare, minus the processing fee for the refund of the lost ticket. Then, you will be required to sign a letter of indemnity in case the lost airline ticket is used or refunded. Depending on different airline policies, refunds for lost airline tickets can take anywhere from 30 days to 1 year.

There is no guarantee that you will get a replacement or refund for your lost ticket. It will be good if there’s travel insurance to cover lost airplane tickets, but it’s unlikely. The best thing to do is to be extra careful with your paper airline tickets.

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