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

 

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

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

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

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

Photo: topyti

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

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

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

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

Photo: jmv

For Americans, Australia is might seem awfully far away (that’s because, well, it is.) This is part of the country’s appeal of course, since it really is like traveling to another world. Not only is it a trip across several time zones, it’s also a trip to a completely different season, since the Southern hemisphere is reversed from the Northern one.

Many travelers feel that travel insurance for Australia trips is a simple decision

If you choose to travel all the way to Australia, chances are you will want to stay for a minimum of two weeks, preferably longer, in order to make your plane flight worthwhile.  And, of course, a lot may happen in two weeks—most of it good. However, travel insurance can come to your aid should you experience any trouble (for example, dehydration in the outback or getting a neck cramp from gazing up at the Sydney Opera House).

In addition to the usual coverage for lost or stolen luggage, and in addition to obtaining good medical travel insurance, there are some other factors to be aware of. For instance, many people travel to Australia specifically to dive at the Great Barrier Reef.

In addition to the normal hazards of scuba diving, the Great Barrier Reef is also the site of many of the world’s shark attacks.  Although the chances of a shark attack or other serious injury are still minimal, it’s good to consider purchasing special travel insurance for Australia treks that covers risky activities, if available.

In Australia, drivers drive on the left side of the road as opposed to the right, so getting rental car coverage is important. In some parts of Australia, there is no speed limit, and roads can be treacherous in more isolated areas due to poor grading and graveled shoulders. Furthermore, the abundance of wildlife in Australia occasionally causes problems for drivers as well.

Should you encounter medical problems outside of Australia’s major cities, you may be very far away from healthcare personnel.  Travel insurance can help you get to the appropriate medical care without additional strain on your credit card.

Photo Credit: brentbat

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

Travel insurance for UK Driving

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

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

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

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

Photo By: e01

Lost bags, damaged bags, stolen bags, broken contents…

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.

If you are a frequent traveler and will get a lot of use out of it, invest in a good quality tag (and annual trip travel insurance)

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 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 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).

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

Volunteering overseas can be an incredibly rewarding experience

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

Annual Travel Insurance

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 Travel Protection plan from Access America (now known as Allianz 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 (now known as Allianz 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.