zTravelInsurance Blog
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
- 29
Jan
2010 -
Identifying a Person With Wanderlust: A Few Pointers
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How do you identify these international travelers? Here’s a light look at how you can tell someone that’s used to traveling from someone that is on his maiden international voyage.
First off, there’s the intended localization: You notice a person who seems to speaking the local tongue. You’re impressed, because he is clearly a traveler. On closer inspection, you find he is only speaking English, but in the local accent—kaching! That’s a much-traveled man.
If you actually get a word with him, you notice his vocabulary: Within a single sentence, there are references to three different countries on three different continents. What’s more, his jacket (never mind that the temperature’s a scorching 100F) looks like a piece of luggage that has been around the world—with batches and patches from nearly all corners of the world! Kaching! You’ve just spoken to a man with itchy feet!
Travel tip: If you come across such a traveler, be sure to ask for advice on travel, places to eat, anything. They are veritable walking Lonely Planet guides. However, down all advice with a pinch of salt!
- 28
Jan
2010 -
Washing Dirty Linen and Other Travel Issues
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Bed bugs, dirty linen, cockroaches—not something you look forward to in your hotel, for sure! Remember that the root of your international travel insurance claim may not just lie in the outdoors—it may well be in your hotel room! A recent survey has released a list of the world’s dirtiest hotels, and it throws up quite a few surprises!
Some of the most common infections may, in fact, be because of the unclean condition of your room. Your international travel insurance will generally cover all these, but it is always better to be healthy than sick. To avoid the situation, here are a few things you can do.
When you’re researching and booking a hotel for your international trip, look for reviews by actual travelers. While the hotel Web site may be able to give some good information, it may not be neutral.
If you end up in accommodation that seems unclean, do not give in. Ensure that your protest is registered at the first instance, and that you are given alternate accommodation. If none of the rooms seem up to snuff, take a day off to see if alternate accommodation can be secured. You might then have to argue your way into a refund, but this is worth a try!
Travel tip: It is also a good idea to register yourself on travel forums and get advice from people who have been there, done that.
- 26
Jan
2010 -
Travel Insurance: Choose Your Flavor Wisely
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When you’re traveling abroad, you want to buy your international travel insurance as soon as you purchase your tickets. But there are as many types of international insurance plans as there are places for you to see! How do you choose the right kind of plan for you?
The first step, obviously, is to ask. If you’re purchasing insurance from the Internet, send an e-mail or call the customer service number to ask them exactly what you want to know. This will also be a great first step to evaluating the insurance site itself!
Next, figure out the purpose of your trip, and the kind of traveler you are. If you make several trips a year, annual travel insurance might be the best choice for you. If you are going abroad on a humanitarian mission, missionary travel insurance may be your flavor of insurance.
Third, find out what coverage the selected plans offer, and the rates for each. Remember that you might not need hazardous sports coverage if you’re planning to spend time at a spiritual retreat. Look for the plan that has the benefits you need, not for the plan that has a lot of benefits. Once you compare the coverage and prices, you’re done! Purchasing the insurance should not take more than a few clicks of the mouse!
Travel tip: When purchasing insurance online, use a site that has the comparison feature. It makes the number crunching and comparison so much easier!
- 25
Jan
2010 -
The Hunt for the Red Dragon Keepsake
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You’re all set with the travel plans and your travel insurance as well. Now, you’re already at your dream destination, but can’t decide one thing: What to get for friends and family back home? Buying keepsakes, especially for close friends and/or family can be a mind bender. Here are some tips to help you navigate through that maze.
First things first, don’t purchase keepsakes on the day you land, unless something seems just perfect for your mom/dad/boyfriend. Take some time to understand the lay of the land, and what might be unique and fun at the destination.
Second, be on the lookout for interesting things. Resist the temptation to walk in to a mall and purchase a bunch of key chains with the name of the city you’re in. Buy something unique—preferably something that is local, and is made locally. After friends returned from Hawaii, it was weird to see all the T-shirts proclaiming they were made in Mexico!
Lastly, try and match the personality of the recipient with that of the souvenir. If you don’t know what someone will like, you don’t need to get them anything. Also remember to be aware of the legalities of the gift—ivory figurines may be a local and unique item in parts of Thailand, but remember that they are also illegal!
Travel tip: Make a list of people you want to get souvenirs for (unless there’s just two or three). You might think you’ll remember, but it’s better to be sure than sheepish!
