• 11
  Dec
  2011

• How to Avoid Baggage Theft From Flights

  
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The US Department of Transportation says baggage complaints, including theft, are just behind flight problems in the most-complained-about stakes. What can you do to help prevent baggage theft? Of course, comprehensive international travel insurance will repay you if you do suffer from theft. Following this advice in combination with international travel insurance will minimize your risk of serious annoyance and financial loss.

Although baggage theft in the US is today relatively rare, there are many countries in the world where the problem persists. If you want to avoid your baggage disappearing, try the following tips.

Use hard-sided luggage, which is more difficult to cut into and therefore reach the contents without opening it. Use an approved lock or plastic cables to secure your bags and make it almost impossible for baggage thieves to get in.

Avoid overly expensive-looking luggage and make it look conspicuous by choosing bright colors or using bright straps. If thieves think they’ll draw attention to themselves, they’ll move onto another target. But the most important thing to remember is to pack everything valuable in your carry-on. Don’t pack invaluable items or those things you cannot live without.

• 03
  Dec
  2011

• Public’s Growing Awareness of Travel Insurance Benefits

  
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With natural disasters like the Japan tsunami, the Australian floods and the earthquake in New Zealand fresh in people’s minds, more and more are recognizing the benefits of travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance. Many people are seeing that the chance of a weather event affecting their trip is reasonably high.

In times of economic hardship and uncertainty, more and more people are making sure their hard earned money is protected should they need to cancel a trip. And awareness is growing about how expensive it can be to treat illness abroad without insurance.

Because an increasing number of people are traveling abroad, everyone knows someone who had a bad experience with weather, health or crime abroad. Travelers are looking to comprehensive travel insurance to meet their needs should the worst happen.

Gone are the days when most people would travel without insurance unless they were traveling to the most inhospitable places in the world. Today travel insurance is as much a part of the vacation as the suitcase and carry-on bag.

• 27
  Nov
  2011

• Why Should You Be Concerned About Medical Coverage Abroad?

  
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You are planning a trip overseas and start completing your “to do” list of tasks before you set off. One thing you think about is health insurance. Do you need to worry about international medical insurance? Surely you’re covered under your own health insurance policy?

The answer is, probably not. And you do need to be concerned about medical coverage abroad. You may get sick or be injured while you are away. You need to make sure you have a way of paying your medical bills aboard.

The Medicare program will not cover you for any medical costs you incur while abroad. And other health care plans will not provide coverage for medical treatment abroad. If you don’t have adequate travel medical insurance, you could end up paying the bill yourself.

You may be refused service if you are uninsured abroad. And you may end up with a huge medical bill if you require an evacuation to a better medical facility. Your medical care abroad is your responsibility, not your health insurer’s, so make sure you have travel medical insurance before you leave.

• 20
  Nov
  2011

• Questions to Ask Your Health Insurance Company Before You Travel

  
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Don’t assume that your regular health insurance plan will help you when you travel abroad on vacation or business. It’s important to check before you leave. It is more than likely that you will need an international medical insurance plan because most health plans don’t cover international travel like a travel insurance plan will.

Ask your health insurer, will my policy be valid outside the United States? Will my policy cover medical emergencies like treatment in hospital abroad or evacuation in an air ambulance?

Also ask if your policy covers you for injuries sustained during activities like scuba diving, climbing and parasailing. You need specific cover for these activities if you are going to be enjoying them.

Check if your health insurer has a support centre or helpline you can use abroad. And make sure your insurer guarantees medical treatment abroad and doesn’t make you pay the full cost of your medical bills. If it doesn’t, you need to buy a specialist travel insurance policy.