You’ve just finished your exams and it’s time to hit the big time. For three years your major in Philosophy has given you parties and lots of girls with glasses and a coffee habit. But now you’re graduating. There’s no job out there, and you kinda like the easy lifestyle so the best option is to go travelling to ‘find yourself’ or in other words, spend another year not doing much and burn out your parent’s credit card.

But, as you’ve spent the last three years with Michel de Montaigne, you don’t know how to do this. So, we’ve put together a handy post to give all you students and grads out there a chance to travel the world and have an excellent time doing it.

Couchsurfing.org
Credit crunch got to your trust fund as well? No fear, hook up with this excellent community and stay on couch’s through the world on your trip. You’ll meet lots of interesting people and you’ll also get to see how people really live. And it really saves on the bucks as well.

TripAdvisor
Even these days, the web is full of biased hotel reviews and destinations that are truly magical and amazing and are life changing. You then find out the only magic about the hotel is the one that is holding it up or that the customers have not died of dysentery after two nights of their food. Fortunately tripadvisor shows these problems with customer feedback reviews – what you really want.

DigiHitch
In the same way that couch surfing is for sleeping, digihitch is for hitchhiking. I know what you’re thinking: horror movie – stabbed in the outback and left for dead – but there is a whole community out there dedicated to hitch hiking – if this doesn’t make you feel safe, then you might as well stay in the basement!

Global Freeloaders
While the term ‘freeloader’ is defined as someone who takes advantage of the charity of others, this website has a way of bringing them together. The site is an online community of people offering free accommodations.

Expedia.co.uk
Like Tripadvisor, but European in outlook – you gonna want to go to Europe, right? With excellent hotel reviews and the added bonus of you being able to search for a car, hotel and flight together (well, if you’ve got loads of money and haven’t burnt out the credit card yet!).

Apple.com
Travelling on the whole is boring. Getting there is the fun bit. The bit in-between is dull with long periods of sitting down and dozing – actually a perfect way to train you for an office job – but in the meantime you need some fun in your life. Got to Apple and download some tracks, podcasts, apps and games for your iPod. Can’t afford this level of tech? Sell some more blood or a kidney!

Travel.State.Gov
The most horrific that can happen to you on your holiday is when you lose your passport – luckily the US State Department can give you all the advice you need and will hopefully help you when it all goes wrong. They may however, just lock you up, throw you in an orange jump suit and give you an extended stay in Cuba.

Weather.com
A great weather service that tells you all the information you need to know about the weather. Strangely!

Ecotravelling.co.uk
So you want to travel the world but you want to do it with the minimum of impact to the environment? You’ll need help – fortunately this blog is packed to the mulched rafters  with advice and hints and tips on eco-friendly travel.

Amazon Kindle Store
Don’t lug all your books around the world – that mean that you’ll only be able to wear one pair of underwear through the whole trip. A kindle, with connection to their store means you can read a whole library on your techhie wonder all in a rather grey and rather lacklustre design. But it’s worth the 15 days working in the cracker factory with Jose.

Hostels.com
Youth Hostels are a great place to hang out in. But be aware! You want to go to the recognised hostels, not just any old thing. This site tells you all about the right ones – and there’s a great forum added in to boot.

IWantOneOfThose.com
Travelling’s all about showing off the right gadgets – the Apple Tablet, a $14,000 camera(and lenses) and a proper diving watch. But those things are a bit passé, aren’t they? Get yourself some really funky travel gadgets, and be the envy of your hostel.

SleepingInAirports.net
Hilarious and informative at the same time. Picture the scene. You’re in France. You’re exhausted and you can’t afford a hostel and there are no friends to couch surf with. You have two choices, sleep in Charles De Gaulle’s airport of sleep rough. Sleepinginairports will tell you which one to choose and, the best places to sleep. Invaluable for the weary traveller. Or for the not so weary traveller having a laugh.

Travel-Rants.com
Wanna complain about something on your trip? Chances are, Travel Rants may have got there first. A great blog for checking in and making you feel that it’s not just you asking the question, “is it just me?”

FoodByCountry.com
Are you lactose intolerant? Allergic to ethnic food? Check this site out. You can see famous recipes from any country you like so you can see what you like and what might kill you, helping you not cause offence to the lovely inn keeper who’s just given you Teh Halia

Twitter
Don’t you roll your eyes at the back! It’s not just a place for people to tell you they’ve just gone to the Washroom – it’s a way you can keep family and friends up to date with where you are and what’s going on. Oh, and what the washrooms are like in Vietnam.

Photo credit 1: jopeattie
Photo credit 2: Ilse Reijs en Jan-Noud Hutten
Photo credit 3: chrisdejabet
Photo credit 4: Zador Spanish schools
Photo credit 5: Siim Teller

• Florida officials crack down on travel insurance sales — South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
• Traveling internationally this summer? 9 things to do now!
• What Does Florida’s Insurance Crack-Down Mean for Cruisers? – Various

No matter what kinds of insurance you have—home, car, medical, or travel—you’d rather not use them, right? Even if you have great coverage, it will never fully make up for the trauma of your home burning, your car being stolen, or coming down with a serious illness. It’s the same with travel insurance; it can make your life much easier in those unpleasant situations and help you avoid financial calamity, but you’d probably rather avoid those situations altogether. Here are some travel tips to help you avoid bad experiences on your next journey. – Wherever you are (and this applies in your hometown too) be aware of your surroundings. If something seems suspicious to you, it probably is. Take the common sense precaution of observing your environment and the people around you. – Know the risks of the place you are traveling to before you even make the decision to go. Check the U.S. State Department website for the types of crime or other hazards that tourists in a particular country experience. In most places, the chance of being the victim of a violent crime is probably less than it is at home. However, you’ll be better prepared if you can find specific information that will help you make informed decisions while traveling. If there’s a popular scam or an area that’s known to be the site of frequent crimes against tourists, it helps to know this in advance. – Whenever you travel to a foreign country, knowing at least a few phrases in the local language will enhance your experience. Even if you feel self-conscious, people will appreciate the effort, and learning such key phrases such as “Can you help me?” “I’m allergic to…” or “I can’t find my child” can help you deal with a bad situation. Dorling-Kindersley puts out a good series of language phrasebooks that come with CD’s. It’s possible to learn useful phrases in a few hours, perhaps even on the plane ride over. Most locals will be eager to help you if you are in distress, even if you can only communicate in charades. It is also helpful to carry a card with vital medical information in the local language. – Be sure to fill your prescriptions before you leave, and plan in advance! Some HMOs will only give you a week or month of your prescription at a time, so if you are going on a longer trip, plan ahead and call your insurance company so that you can get an adequate supply for your vacation. Be sure to pack your medicine in your carry-on luggage. Leave it in its original container and be sure the container is clearly labeled. – Carry a photocopy of your passport stored separately from your passport itself. It’s also a good idea to leave a photocopy at home with a friend or family member that you can reach easily if necessary. It also helps to carry a money belt with your most important things—the bulk of your cash, credit card, plane ticket home, passport—and carry just the cash you need for the day in a “decoy” purse or wallet. You can buy slender, soft money belts from most travel stores, and they will stay hidden in the waist of your trousers or skirt—accessible if you need them, but out of sight. (Fanny packs, on the other hand, are an invitation to robbery, and not terribly aesthetic either.) – The peace of mind that you get from having travel insurance should help you to relax and enjoy your vacation, not add to your concerns. Once you’ve taken these sensible precautions—and others that you may read about in your guidebook—forget about them and have fun! Travel insurance can help you if you become ill or if your luggage is stolen, but it can’t make your trip more fun or memorable. That’s up to you.

• Florida orders agency to “stop transacting business” | elliott.org
• 6 questions to ask before buying trip insurance | msnbc.com
• Job Lay-off Insurance | Cruise Talk Central
• Free Job Loss Insurance from eCruises.com
• Ten tips for buying travel insurance – Telegraph UK
• Insuring your travel plans | Seattle Times
• Nervous travelers demanding ‘layoff insurance’ – CNN.com

All insurance policies have “small print”. Even though it can be painful, it is vital to read and understand this part of your policy, because a misunderstanding can easily cause problems if you need to file a claim.

I asked Scott Perfetto from Travelsafe Insurance to name the most common “mistakes” and misunderstandings when travelers buy insurance. He responded with several, and if you want to avoid a problem later, it’s a good idea to read this now.

1. Buying a travel insurance policy after something happens: Travel insurance, like all insurance, is meant to cover sudden and unforeseen events. In order to be covered, you need to have purchased the insurance before the unforeseen events. Many travelers wait until something happens, then purchase a policy. Unfortunately, those claims are not covered.

2. You cancel your trip before you see a doctor, and expect to be covered: If you’re going to cancel due to medical reasons, you have to visit the doctor first, and your doctor must recommend you do not go. The same goes for interrupting a trip due to illness. Travel Insurance requires documentation (medical records) from your medical professional indicating the illness/reason that you are unable to travel. The medical records must indicate you visited the doctor before canceling your trip.

3. Using the wrong Policy Effective Dates when submitting a claim: Many travelers misunderstand the Departure and Return dates, use the wrong ones on their claims, and then have their claims denied. Departure and Return Dates are actually very simple. The Departure Date is the day you depart your home for your journey or trip. The Return Date is the day you return home from your journey/trip.

So, for example, if you plan on staying at a hotel close the airport the night before your plane departs, your departure date is the day you leave your house; not the day you take the plane.

There are also two effective dates associated with most travel policies:

• Trip Cancellation policies cover you from purchase* until you actually depart for your trip. (*It generally goes into effect the day after the payment is received or the date after the postmark on the application.) You need to purchase Trip Cancellation upfront, not when you’re ready to cancel your trip.
• All other coverage goes into effect on the Date of Departure.

4. Not fully understanding pre-existing condition exclusion waiver: Many travel insurance policies have an exclusion for “pre-existing conditions”; meaning any condition you had before your coverage began. Recently, companies have included a waiver for this exclusion if certain conditions are met. This usually includes the time of purchase, but it will also state a “look back” period. This is an amount of prior time that the insurance company will look to find a condition.

Depending on the look back period, a pre-existing condition with one company is not the same for another. Some look back 60 days, others look back 90 days or more. Not all travel insurance plans will waive for pre-existing conditions. It’s important to read the policy carefully to understand the “rules” for pre-existing conditions.

There are some policies that do not waive for pre-existing medical conditions under any circumstances. Make sure you ask whether your pre-existing condition exclusion waiver applies to only the policy holder, or to their immediate family as well. This is an important distinction. Travelers have fewer limitations when the policy lists only them, allowing them more flexibility. When policies also list immediate family members, the travelers are limited by the pre-existing conditions of the family, which adds loopholes and affects (limits) the benefits.

5. Mistaking an Administrator with the Insurance Company: Very often, the traveler believes they are purchasing a policy from an insurance company, when in most cases they are buying from a third party administrator. In most cases, the administrator markets, sells, and issues the policy. The insurance company underwrites the risk and is responsible for how claims are paid or denied.

6. Thinking “Cancel For Any Reason” and “Cancel At Any Time” mean the same thing: These are two optioned offered by several companies, and are different policies with their own rules.

With “Cancel For Any Reason,” you can cancel for divorce, illness of a pet, lay offs, work, etc. “Cancel At Any Time” will let you cancel whenever you like, but does have restrictions on the reasons you want to cancel.

Travel Insurance provides Trip Cancellation for “coverable” reasons which are clearly stated in your policy. “Cancel For Any Reason” is an optional insurance benefit.

Upon purchase of “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage, you can cancel your trip for any reason but you need to do this within a certain number of days, often 2 days. As long as you cancel your trip at least two days before departure, you will be covered.

Some travel insurance companies specify that you must cancel your trip at least 48 hours before departure (as opposed to “2 days”). While the two sound the same, this is an important distinction – so make sure you understand which will work best for you. It is easier to use two days as a measurement rather than counting hours/minutes from your purchase time.

7. Expecting Baggage Delay Benefits for your return home: Baggage Delay Benefits are not the same on your return home as they are on your outbound trip. This benefit allows travelers to buy the essentials they need until there luggage arrives to their destination. This might include essential toiletries or a swimming suit for the beach. If your bags are delayed on your return home, you do not receive a benefit.

8. Not saving receipts for Additional Purchases: If you are required to purchase additional hotels, meals, etc. due to flight delays or cancellations, keep the receipts. And make sure to find out from the airline why the flight is cancelled or delayed – weather, mechanical, etc.

Bonus

9. Not reading your policy: A travel insurance policy does you no good if you don’t read and understand it. Most anger and resentment over denied claims could be prevented by reading the policy. Insurance companies are extremely specific…they don’t just make up a reason to deny a claim.

Make sure you read the details before you make the purchase. Know what you are buying, and shop around for the benefits that will help you.

TravelSafe Insurance, a division of the Chester Perfetto Agency, Inc. has become a gold standard in travel insurance products through innovation, experience and excellent customer service.

Since 1971, they have marketed and administered some of the most comprehensive policies available in the industry, and are leading the way in developing new solutions for the insurance needs of individuals and families throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you are traveling close to home or around the world, TravelSafe will provide the security and peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip.

Wyomissing, Pa., December 29, 2008 — Beginning January 1, 2009, TravelSafe Insurance is offering an exclusive industry-first benefit, “On Trip” Purchase Protection which reimburses up to $300 per person for travel arrangements that are booked while traveling.

This new benefit will automatically be included at no additional cost in the TravelSafe Vacation, Premier and Prestige plans purchased on and after Thursday, January 1, 2009.

Travelers can be reimbursed up to $300 per person for the cost of unused, forfeited, non-refundable payments for shore excursions; theater, concert or event tickets/fees; or sightseeing tours or trips if such arrangements are made during the Trip (and are to be used prior to the Scheduled Return Date of the Trip) provided the trip is interrupted for a covered reason.

“It’s the first benefit of its kind and an excellent selling tool for travel agents, particularly those agents selling cruises, where onboard purchases are so common” said Scott Perfetto, president, TravelSafe Insurance.

“We work creatively and diligently to design policies that remove the exclusions and typical loop holes associated with all insurance policies. Our intent is to give as much back as possible,” said Perfetto. “We’re very excited to introduce another industry first.”

About TravelSafe Insurance
TravelSafe Insurance is one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance. Since 1971, this family-run business has worked hard to protect the traveler, while remaining on the forefront of innovation and product development with policy options such as the industry-first “Cancel For Any Reason” cash back benefit. With 37 years of travel insurance experience, TravelSafe offers the most comprehensive travel insurance coverage in the industry with personalized service and attention.

Click here to visit the TravelSafe website and read more.

 

Travel Cancellation Insurance

Travel can be very expensive and many travel products are non-refundable. Travel cancellation insurance coverage can reimburse the cost of your pre-paid trip expenses, but not all travel insurance plans include this coverage. Once you’ve paid your trip deposit (or even the full amount), any number of unexpected reasons can cause you to have to cancel your trip. Canceling your trip can cause you to lose some or all of your prepaid travel expenses, and many travelers find that travel cancellation coverage is well worth the cost.

Examples of Reasons for Canceling a Trip

Travel plans sometimes have to be canceled, and you’re better off safe than sorry when it comes to travel expenses and trip cancellation insurance. Trip cancellations may occur for the following reasons:

• a sudden injury or illness (for you, a family member, or your travel companion)
• common carrier cancellations as a result of inclement weather or labor strikes
• financial insolvency of a common carrier
• unexpected and unavoidable responsibilities at your place of employment
• jury duty
• suddenly being called into active military service
• termination of employment or a transfer of employment to a new city
• travel document theft, such as printed tickets, passport, or visa
• an act of terrorism at your location of departure or destination
• an evacuation is ordered at your home or travel destination
• and others

Rules to Expect with Trip Cancellation Insurance

Some plans include exclusions that define the overall trip amount to be reimbursed. Some plans include trip cancellation as optional coverage and require that the coverage be purchased within a specified number of days after paying the initial trip deposit. Most plans require some type of proof that backs up the reason you are canceling the trip.

Of course, each travel insurance plan is unique and you have to check to be sure trip cancellation coverage is included with the plan you choose.

Making a Trip Cancellation Claim

If you have to make a claim for a canceled trip, you may have to provide proof depending on the type of cancellation, such as providing proof of an injury or illness with a doctor’s note for example. The proof you have to supply will vary depending on your trip insurance plan and the reason for which you are canceling the trip.

 

Best Travel Insurance for Backpackers in Colorado

Backpacking in Colorado means high altitudes (the Rocky Mountains!), significant weather exposure (freezing temperatures!), and some of the most memorably beautiful views you can ever imagine. Exploring the trails of Colorado or hiking the many 14,000 foot peaks (called 14′ers or fourteeners) can be some of the most exciting backpacking available in the world. Whether you are want a breathtaking escape from the summer heat or a daring slog through ice and snow, backpacking in Colorado is many a backpacker’s dream, but you’re going to need backpacker travel insurance to protect you from potential mishaps.

Staying safe is essential … but slightly more difficult

Planning your trip details is even more essential when backpacking through Colorado because there can be a lot of distance between you and your next meal or place of rest. Not all backpackers are traveling on a budget, staying in hostels, or camping in tents, but many are, and most are traveling in remote areas. To ensure that you – and your travel companions – stay safe on your backpacking trip, it is important to recognize the essential risks with backpacking.

Some of the risks you face as a backpacker are specifically related to people you may encounter while traveling in this manner, and some of the risks are, of course, related to this particular type of travel – by foot in remote areas with significant environmental exposure. When backpacking, there is a risk that important personal possessions – your money, identity cards, for example – may be lost or stolen. You also face greater than normal risk of physical injury and accidents by exposing yourself to the elements.

Essential Precautions when Backpacking

Of course, the best defense is to be suitably cautious and protect yourself from possible crime. Take your backpacker trip insurance policy details with you and ensure you keep the contact information and policy number in a separate place in case the policy copies are stolen or misplaced. Keep your receipts for purchases (including ATM slips for cash withdrawals) in case you need to make a claim. Be cautious about trusting the people you encounter too.

Essential Features in your Backpacking Travel Plan

These are the essential coverage features you want to have in your travel plan if you are backpacking:

• Emergency Medical – this covers the cost of emergency travel medical expenses for any injury or illness you may experience while traveling. These costs may not be covered by your regular insurance plan, depending on the coverage.
• Rescue and Repatriation – this covers the costs relative to evacuation if you are in need of medical rescue due to a travel accident.
• Personal Possessions and Money – this coverage helps replace your personal possessions – think cameras, credit cards, global positioning equipment – if lost or stolen on your trip.
• Trip Cancellation – if your trip is canceled due to work reasons or a sudden and unexpected change in plans, you won’t lose all the money you spent on the trip.
• Travel Delays – this covers the costs related to delayed departures at any leg of your trip.

Optionally, it is good to look for special features such as sports equipment coverage that may cover backpacking gear. Always carefully check the policy to be sure your gear is covered before you count on it.

You may also want to consider coverage that includes AD&D, which pays you or your beneficiary in case of your death or permanent dismemberment. It’s not something any of us want to think about, but considering the types of injuries that are possible with this type of travel, it may be wise.

… and don’t wait too long before purchasing your coverage. Finding the right backpacker coverage is important and you don’t want to leave it to the last minute.

Photo: joiseyshowaa

Exotic ports of call, resplendent cruise ships, vacationing with all the bells and whistles – finally! Traveling the world in a beautiful cruise ship with a well-appointed room and a constantly changing views can be very exciting.

This dream vacation could turn into more of an adventure than you planned, however, if you discover you are not protected against the unexpected and sometimes unpleasant things that can occur while traveling by cruise ship.

What many travelers do not realize is that all cruise ships are considered foreign entities operating outside their country of registry, and your current domestic medical coverage does not travel outside your country of origin — even if you are traveling on a ship registered with your own country of origin. This means that if you are an

American citizen traveling on a cruise ship registered with the United States, your regular medical coverage will, in most cases, fail to extend to travel at sea. Unfortunately, this means that without travel insurance, you will have to pay for your emergency medical treatment expenses up front if you become ill and require even minor medical attention.

Most of the larger cruise ships have on-board medical staff and treatment facilities, but many of the smaller ships do not, and if you become very ill while on board, an emergency evacuation may be your only course of action. Again, these costs will be borne by you without proper traveler’s coverage.

Caution for U.S. Seniors: Medicare beneficiaries should always purchase travel insurance when they cruise, because they do not have medical coverage outside the country.

Let’s help you choose a travel insurance policy first, and then don’t forget to pack the hand sanitizer!

Top Three Cruise Travel Plans

Reason	Company and Details
Widest coverage	The AIG Travel Guard travel insurance plans offer the widest coverage, providing coverage for military personnel who are unexpectedly deployed, restoration for identity theft, protection for credit cards and travel documents, plus concierge and travel assistance services. Depending on the options you need, the AIG travel plans offer a wide variety of included and optional benefits to ensure your cruise adventure is worry-free.
Most plans with the greatest number of benefits	The Travel Insured International plans offer a large number of optional benefits to customize their many travel plans, including sports coverage, ‘cancel for any reason’, ‘cancel for work reasons’, medical upgrades, and more. Plus, kids are free with most of their plans, so your cruise travel insurance may cost less than you expect.
Best options for solo travelers	The TravelSafe Insurance plans offer the most comprehensive coverage for solo cruise travelers, including all the basic benefits plus 24-hour travel assistance and the ‘Cancel for any reason’ benefit as an optional benefit. When you are traveling on your own, it’s a great idea to have comprehensive coverage so you don’t have to worry what may happen during your adventure.

Common concerns for cruise travelers

It can certainly be tempting to skip the travel insurance. How many times have you returned safely from a trip and kicked yourself for spending the extra bucks to insure against some wild calamity that never happened? (We hope this happens to you often, actually.) It just takes one time and a single (even small) occurrence to cause very expensive, sometimes long-term, financial harm to you and your family. Besides, let’s face it, cruise traveling is special in several regards – it includes sometimes close contact with a wide number of people, it takes you to exotic locations where exposure to harmful agents may be possible, and it puts you in new circumstances of all kinds.

Some of the common concerns for cruise travelers are:

• Arriving on time for departure only to discover the cruise line has gone bankrupt, leaving you holding useless tickets with nowhere to go
• Catching a norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness and becoming violently ill
• Losing your luggage and being stuck on a ship without the clothing and personal items you so carefully chose and packed
• Arriving late to the embarkation point and watching from the pier as your ship sails away … without you
• Getting robbed on board or on an excursion into port
• Losing your travel documents while exploring a long-planned ruin

Caution: Starting June 1, 2009, travelers entering the United States on a cruise will be required to present a passport or other recognized identification document. The new requirement was established by the U.S. Government during a final ruling on travel documents for land and sea boarders. The initiative calls for travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identify for all land and sea travel into the country.

Choosing the right cruise insurance

Many cruise lines have been getting into the travel insurance business and offering travel insurance packages that can be purchased when you book your cruise. There are also many independent insurance companies that offer coverage that can be purchased — typically within 10 or 15 days of your initial trip deposit — but there are some important points to understand before you choose your travel plan.

Most independent cruise travel insurance plans cover the following types of problems:

• trip cancellation or interruption
• trip delays
• emergency medical expenses
• emergency medical evacuation
• lost or stolen baggage

There are a few key differences between travel insurance policies offered by the cruise line and those offered by independent insurance companies, however:

1. Travel policies offered by the cruise lines typically do not insure against financial default, travel delays, or complete cessation of their own operations. Independent insurers usually cover these events.
2. Travel policies offered by the cruise lines typically cover only those parts of the trip purchased directly from the cruise line. So, if your wallet is stolen in the market while you are exploring a port, the travel policy purchased through your cruise line will probably be of no use to you.
3. Therefore, it is best to purchase a travel insurance policy separate from the travel provider if only to avoid conflict of interest.

Steps to follow to ensure you are covered while cruising

The key to ensuring that you are protected while cruising is:

1. Know where you are going and the risks associated with traveling in that part of the world.
2. Know what activities you are likely to engage in while you are cruising.
3. Check the policy carefully to be sure that the risks and activities are covered.

Purchasing your plan within the required number of days of the initial trip deposit sometimes ensures you receive the following extra benefits, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions or financial insolvency of the travel provider. These may be valuable benefits, so shop for your insurance while you shop for your cruise deal.

Cruise Coverage Matrix

The following table lists the providers who offer comprehensive coverage for cruisers. While we recognize that you consider a medical-only travel insurance policy, events such as missed connections, hurricanes, or stolen luggage will not be covered with a policy of that type. This matrix assumes you want complete cruise travel coverage and not just medical coverage, so we’ve included only those companies and plans that are specific to protecting cruise travelers.

In addition, as a cruise traveler, it is important to consider the types of activities offered by the cruise company and ensure that coverage is in place if you plan to participate in those more adventurous activities, such as scuba diving or surfing. This way, even if you skin your knee while trying wave boarding for the first time, you can be assured of some basic medical treatment without the overloaded expense.

Company	Plans	Benefits	Notes
AIG TravelGuard	Platinum Gold My TravelGuard	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events (such as Unannounced strikes or inclement weather) Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	The optional ‘Cancel for any reason’ benefit can be purchased to insure against truly unexpected events. Optional coverage for adventure sports is available with the My TravelGuard plan. Kids are free with the ProtectAssist Gold plan.
Global Alert	Global Alert Essentials Global Alert Preferred Global Alert Preferred Plus	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	Pay your premium within 15 days of your trip deposit and get: pre-existing conditions waived coverage for financial insolvency for pre- and post-trip benefits coverage for terrorist acts
Mondial Travel Insurance	Basic Deluxe Annual	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events – even missed connections Emergency medical Emergency medical transportation Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	Hurricane protection can be purchased as an optional benefit. In addition, sports equipment and business equipment can be covered. Kids are covered free if under age 17!
HTH Travel Insurance	TripProtector TripProtector Preferred	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	Purchase your plan within 24 hours of your final trip payment and financial insolvency of your travel supplier is covered, and pre-existing conditions are waived.
International Medical Group Insurance	Patriot T.R.I.P. Patriot T.R.I.P. Elite	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events – even missed connections Emergency medical Emergency medical transportation Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects
Travelex Insurance	TraveLite	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	Children under 16 are covered at no additional cost if accompanied by an adult family member. Travel assistance and concierge services are also included.
MH Ross	Basic Enhanced	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	These plans have maximum trip durations of 31 and 180 days, respectively. In addition, the policy must be purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit for the financial insolvency and pre-existing conditions to be covered.
Travel Insurance Services	Basic Plus Elite	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	Cruise line financial insolvency problems are only covered if you purchase the Elite or Plus plan within 21 or 15 days of your initial trip deposit, respectively.
Travel Insured International	Worldwide Trip Protector Worldwide Trip Protector Gold Trip Protector Lite Trip Protector Lite Expanded	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events (including missed connections) Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	The optional ‘Cancel for any reason’ benefit can be purchased with these plans. The optional ‘Cancel for work reason’ benefit can be purchased with the Worldwide Trip Protector Gold plan. The optional medical upgrade can be purchased with the Worldwide Trip Protector Gold plan. Optional sports coverage is available with all plans. Kids are free with these plans as well.
TravelSafe Insurance	Vacation Classic	Trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to unforeseen events (including missed connections) Emergency medical Emergency evacuation Financial default of travel suppliers Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage and personal effects	24-hour travelers assistance is included with all of these plans.

Travel insurance companies now provide annual travel insurance for people who have to travel often throughout the year, but don’t always have the time to sign up for a travel insurance plan before they have to leave. Travelers who need annual coverage may be business travelers, leisure travelers, even medical travelers – anyone who travels often and usually unexpectedly throughout the year.

Annual travel insurance plans are different from multi-trip plans, which are used to cover multiple trips over a specified amount of time. Instead, annual travel insurance is designed to cover all the trips you have to take throughout the year with the same consistent set of benefits and a single company to call when you need help.

What are the benefits of buying annual travel insurance

The benefits of buying a year’s worth of travel coverage can include:

• consistent coverage for all your trips for the next 365 days
• coverage without the hassle of applying for each trip
• coverage that is automatically in effect — even for unexpected travel
• coverage that applies even if your travel plans change
• a single contact to call when you need help

In addition, if you have to travel often or frequently travel with little advance notice, the cost of buying an annual plan may prove more cost effective than buying a multi-trip plan. It can certainly provide consistent, year-long peace of mind, which is valuable in itself.

Essentials to look for in an annual travel plan

The travel insurance policy you choose should provide coverage for all the locations in which you may travel, and it should provide enough protection for the least safe place in which you will travel. For example, if you think you may travel in countries that are routinely plagued by civil strife and war, you will want to ensure that your travel coverage has the protection features you need.

At a bare minimum, you will want your annual travel insurance plan to cover the following:

• lost or delayed baggage and personal effects
• trip cancellations, delays and interruptions (including missed connections)
• accident- and illness-related medical expense coverage
• emergency evacuation and repatriation

Of course, you will have to check the plan details to be sure all of the minimum benefits are in effect in each of the locations in which you may travel. You may also want an annual plan with automatic renewal, so be sure to find out if the plan you want provides that feature.

Other benefits useful in an annual travel plan

In addition to the the required basic features, you may want to include these additional features, depending on your personal level of comfort and your financial situation:

• accidental death and dismemberment
• adventure traveler or sports accident medical coverage
• rental car protection
• flight accident protection
• protection against financial default or bankruptcy of travel suppliers
• terrorism coverage for common carriers
• terrorism coverage for your target destination
• return of minor children and emergency medical reunion if you are hospitalized

Of course, depending on the type of travel you will be doing, you may be able to eliminate some of these features or need to add others.

How to protect yourself with your annual travel plan

Be sure to keep the details of your plan with you when you travel, so you have the information you need to contact your insurance company. Also, this will help if you suddenly encounter a new situation and want to check the plan for specifics. It is especially important to keep the contact details and policy number with you as you travel – one copy in your wallet and one in your bag, just in case your wallet is stolen.

Photo: frischmilch