• 11
  Dec
  2009

• Dive in to Close the Insurance Gap

  
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You’re excited about your upcoming scuba diving trip to the Caribbean. However, the nuber of international travel insurance plans has you confused. Since a major part of your trip will include scuba diving, you’re looking for a plan that already covers it. TravelGap’s insurance plans may just be perfect for you.

TravelGap’s Voyager and Excursion plans come prepackaged with coverage of $10,000 for “claims resulting from downhill alpine skiing and scuba diving.” To avail of the scuba diving benefit, the plan holder must be certified by a professional scuba diving association, or the dive should have been under the supervision of a certified instructor.

Other benefits of the TravelGap plans include hospitalization and consultation, and dental care resulting from injury, and pain. The Excursion plan offers better benefits, covering pre-existing conditions. The Excursion plan also offers 100% coverage for prescription drugs outside the United States, compared to 50% of the Voyager plan.

However, the Excursion plan requires the applicant to have a valid primary health insurance plan during purchase, while the Voyager plan has no such restrictions. Choose the plan that works for you best, and go ahead and enjoy that dive!

Travel tip: Always, always scuba dive with a buddy. Keep and eye on your dive buddy, and check on him/her often. It could be the difference between life and death.

• 09
  Dec
  2009

• Even the Amazing Amazon Needs Insurance!

  
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Travel insurance is a must when you undertake adventure trips. If you are the type who watched “The Land That Time Forgot” or “McKenna’s Gold” wide-eyed as a kid, and are still mesmerized by “Madagascar,” you may possess that adventure streak. Why not make that ultimate adventure trip, then—to the Amazon?

The Amazon rain forest is one of the last remaining places on Earth with amazing biodiversity, unique flora and fauna, relatively untouched by man. But before making that trip to Ecuador or Peru, purchase a suitable travel and medical insurance policy.

Most adventure tour operators insist on travel insurance before you register for the trip and some recommend their own providers. The policy that you choose should cover air emergency evacuation and expenses, trip cancellation, loss of baggage, flight delays and medical treatment. Some providers cover pre-existing conditions if you opt for early purchase.

Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory. Keep copies of your passport with relatives back home. Malaria and diarrhea are also rampant in the rainforest as the weather is hot and humid. Carry your own malarial drugs and drink safe water. Last but definitely not the least – have a blast!

Travel tip: If you plan on traversing the Amazon Basin by passenger boat, bring along a basic phrasebook to help communicate with the locals. You will have a great time discovering their way of life!

• 04
  Dec
  2009

• Basic Insurance Options for Tom the Cruiser

  
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Cruise insurance may be the last thing on your mind when you’re thinking of a trip to the Caribbean. However, remember that a cruise to any place outside the United States will require cruise insurance. Remember that if your cruise does not make a port of call, you must check if you will be in international waters. Your coverage might depend on the answer.

Often, your cruise operator will offer insurance as part of the package. Be aware that such insurance is usually more expensive and offers fewer benefits than specialized cruise insurance purchased from reputed companies. Be sure to compare prices and coverage before choosing a plan that works for you.

Some of the benefits you want to look for are medical evacuation, some coverage for pre-existing conditions if applicable, trip cancellation, and lost baggage. Newer cruise insurance plans offer reimbursement if a traveler cancels the cruise because of the loss of his job. Of these, emergency medical evacuation is a must-have benefit.

It is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as you feel ill. Cruise insurance typically does not cover minor ailments such as motion sickness, unless it turns serious. Most popular cruises have a medical team on board.

Travel Tip: If you want to travel aboard a ship, but without the hordes of people you will invariably meet during a cruise, you can also consider traveling as a passenger on a cargo ship.

• 02
  Dec
  2009

• Must-Visit Destinations and Travel Insurance

  
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You’ve doubtless seen lists of favorite destinations published by various magazines, and whether you check each country on the list with a smile or a frown could well depend on whether you had adequate international travel insurance.

Every year, Conde Nast, the travel magazine, publishes lists of most preferred tourist destinations, and this year, Italy topped the charts for the title of favorite country for travel, followed by New Zealand, Turkey, and Australia. If you want their opinion about the best value for money, it’s Kenya and Mexico, and Brazil has the distinction for giving you the warmest welcome.

Your initial instinct may be to look at the list and mentally make a note of countries that one might need travel insurance to visit (most people probably think that Turkey, Kenya, Mexico, and Brazil will require it). However, remember that travel to any country outside of your own requires insurance.

Some countries will have it built into their visa regulations, while others merely rely on the traveler’s common sense. Also remember that while Western countries may in general be less prone to infection, accidents are very common, and your travel insurance covers accidents too.

Travel tip: The mere mention of a destination in a list such as Conde Nast’s increases its visibility and therefore, costs and crowds associated with it. Try working with lists a couple of years old.