• 18
  Feb
  2010

• Confusing Cruise Cancellation Clauses: Insurance to the Rescue

  
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When booking a cruise, the operator will probably also check with you about whether you want to purchase cruise insurance from them. Remember to shop around before saying “yes” to the first insurance that you come across (typically, the operator’s cruise insurance).

It is very common for people to think of cruises like plane tickets—if you are unable to make a certain date, you can easily push the date, albeit with a small fee. But cruises are ore about the experience—and so, are unlikely to accommodate you on a later cruise because you are unable to make the booked cruise.

That is true even if you have a valid reason, including the death of a close family member. Consider the case of Ms. Murray, who booked a last minute cruise and had to cancel her tickets at the last minute.

After several phone calls to various people, and sending across supporting documents to the cruise company, she received a note saying policies prohibit rescheduling of cruise tickets. The best way to ensure that your cruise money is safe is purchasing cruise insurance with a reliable insurance company.

Travel tip: Remember to land at the port of departure a day or two before the cruise departs, to minimize the chances of simply “missing” the cruise.

• 17
  Feb
  2010

• Ice Ice Baby: Enjoy Winter with Travel Insurance

  
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After watching all the action on ice in Vancouver, we can’t blame you if you are online, booking your tickets to the nearest ski resort to catch the last of the winter sports season. However, in all the Olympic-size excitement, don’t forget to purchase international travel insurance if you are planning a trip abroad for the action.

While your credit card might already offer you some coverage for travel, read the fine print carefully. Usually, insurance plans that are packaged do not offer adequate protection. For special trips such as ski trips, ensure that you have the coverage that you will need.

First things first, the skiing itself must be covered. Several travel insurance plans offer coverage for winter sports as a hazardous sports rider. However, there are also “sports insurance” plans that cover skiing as part of the basic plan.

Next, ensure that emergency medical evacuation is among the schedule of benefits. Ski accidents typically imply that the injured will be unable to move, and will require the services of an ambulance, so check that coverage as well. Also ensure that your maximum benefit is proportional to the average medical costs in the destination.

Travel Tip: Whether going in a group or solo, ensure that you let someone know where you plan to ski that day.

• 15
  Feb
  2010

• Don’t Let Terror Win; Get Insurance

  
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India was rocked by a bomb blast on Valentine’s Day—and for the second time, the target is a place frequented by international tourists. While the country is only on the list of travel alerts (and not warnings), the incident only underscores the need for trip cancellation insurance and international travel insurance with some coverage for terrorism-related acts.

One factor to consider in case of terrorist attacks is that the attack must be labeled a terrorist attack unequivocally. Investigations of attacks might take some times, however. So, it might be a while before an incident or attack is ascertained a “terrorist attack.”

Let’s say that you want to cancel your trip to India because of the recent attack. Since the U.S. government has not issued a travel warning for travel to India, you will not be able to recoup cancellation costs unless you have appropriate trip cancellation insurance.

Remember that all trip cancellation insurance will not work in the above example. Typical trip cancellation benefits include cancellation due to illness of the traveler, death of an immediate family member, destruction of the traveler’s primary residence, cessation of travel services to the destination, or jury duty of the traveler. You will need “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage offered by some plans such as Travel Guard Essential to cover situations such as the one mentioned above.

Travel tip: Before leaving on your international trip, research the recent history of terrorism at your destination adequately.

• 12
  Feb
  2010

• Counter Effects of Terrorism with Smart Insurance

  
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With terrorism not sparing any part of the world, the modern international traveler is forced to consider terrorism coverage in her travel insurance plan. Unfortunately, terrorism is no longer confined to regions where it originates. Rather, every country is a potential target, and it is especially important to consider coverage for terrorism when traveling to a country with a history of terrorist attacks.

The effects of a terrorist can be particularly devastating for a group, as morale and enthusiasm immediately dips. The group travel insurance plans offered by the Patriot Group offer coverage for injuries and illnesses caused by an act of terrorism. The plan offers a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000 for terrorism-related medical claims.

However, it is important to note that an act of violence must be labelled a terrorist act before benefits can be awarded. Also, the Patriot Group travel insurance plans do not cover an act of terrorism if the U.S. government has issued a travel advisory against travel to the country any time within the past six months.

So, if you’re booking your tickets five months in advance of your trip, and you see that a travel advisory is in effect when you book the ticket, you need not look for coverage pertaining to terrorism.

Travel Tip: It is important to research a bit of the political climate of your destination, as that may have a bearing on terrorist activities in the country.