Golf Travel Insurance - A Golf Holiday Must

Amateur and professional golfers should consider getting golf insurance if they play regularly. These days more people are taking liability seriously and your stray golf ball could cause you expensive out-of-pocket liabilities. An occasional slice could land into a condo unit with wall-to-wall glass and make you accountable to pay for the replacement of the glass at the very least. The problem could be compounded by injuries if someone is hit by your ball or cut by the broken glass.

If you travel a lot to play gold around the country or overseas, you should also get coverage. Golf travel insurance will cover your golf clubs if they get damaged or lost during the trip. If you travel frequently, you should also insure your other things such as jewelry, your laptop, and other valuables. You can get good rates if you get a number of policies from the same insurance company. Your golf travel policy may also cover you in case of medical emergencies while on a golf holiday.

The cost of golf insurance is considerably cheaper than the cost of what you could be liable for with just one bad hook that ends up in the parking lot. There are different types of insurance policies concerning the sport of golf. Some policies will cover damage to property, others will cover medical or hospital bills if you get injured on the fairway. A policy may also cover third-party injuries if your stray golf ball hits someone. If your ball hits someone in the head, he will likely need x-rays or an MRI.

Golf travel insurance can cover lost golf sets or damaged golf equipment during transit. It also covers injuries sustained by you or others while on a golf holiday. Just like a regular golf policy you have back home, it also covers public liability if your golf equipment causes damage to other people's property. Your travel policy can also pay for your loss in case your clubs or other golf gear get stolen. Other things it may cover are damage to your rented equipment such as a golf cart.

Golf insurance policies can also pay for expenses for personal injuries like falling off from a golf cart, getting struck by lightning on the golf course or getting hit by a golf club aside from getting hit by the ball. It may sound a little bit far off but these things do happen more often than you think. The policy may also apply to injuries sustained at a practice driving range aside from accidents on the fairway. Your insurance plan may also cover problems concerning your accommodations abroad.

For example, if you golf gear is damaged from a flood that occurs in your golf resort, or if your golf set is stolen from your hotel room, your golf travel insurance will cover the damage or loss. Having yourself covered during a golf holiday can take away the stress of dealing with unfortunate incidents such as these in a foreign country. To avoid fraud, you should buy your policy from a reputable company that provides coverage on a domestic and international level.

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Travel Insurance: Reminder to Declare All Health Problems

Travellers with health problems sometimes inadvertently, or even deliberately, neglect to declare pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance. For those who are new to travel insurance it is a very important matter and worth taking the time to research and understand.

When you purchase travel insurance, which is often done online these days, you will be asked to declare any pre-existing medical problems. Obviously, serious conditions such as heart disease and cancer have to be declared. However, it may or may not be obvious that pre-existing medical problems also include many more common ailments and conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, as well as any recent investigations, diagnosis or hospital stay.

Younger people heading off on gap-year adventures or round the world trips may not think that this section applies to them because they are young and in good health. However, no matter what age the traveller the rules are the same. Declaring pre-existing medical conditions applies to everyone, no matter how healthy they may be at the time they book travel and purchase insurance. A good basic backpacker policy should also include cover for medical expenses, air ambulance and medical repatriation - but all pre-existing conditions must be declared.

The bottom line is that if you fail to declare a medical condition and then experience a medical problem related to that condition while overseas your insurance provider is very likely to refuse to cover your claim - and this could become very costly indeed. Some people may decide not to declare a condition when they purchase insurance because they fear it will make the premium too expensive, but this is false economy.

In some cases there may be an increase in the premium to purchase travel insurance to cover a pre-existing medical condition, but it is better to be honest and pay a bit more than face having to pay for hospital treatment abroad if the worst should happen. Paying a bit more for your policy and having the peace of mind of knowing you are covered is crucial, and could save you a bundle if you experience a problem. Wouldn't it also be nice to know that with insurance you have a lifeline to call if disaster strikes, and a helpful voice to reassure and guide you.

It is vital that you declare all pre-existing conditions, and not just the ones that you think are more serious. Less serious medical conditions may not seem to be important but sometimes when they are present in combination with other conditions an insurer considers the risk greater and additional payment may be required.

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and are travelling to another EU country you may falsely believe that travel insurance is not necessary, or that the embassy will pay your bills. While a valid EHIC should cover most of your hospital expenses, this can vary from country to country and the EHIC does not cover treatment for non-urgent or ongoing treatment, nor does it cover medical repatriation.

If you become seriously ill abroad, or go skiing and sustain an injury such as a broken leg, your return home may be delayed or you may require medical repatriation - perhaps with purchase of an additional seat on the plane and a medical escort. The EHIC does not cover expenses of this type, but a good travel insurance policy should. If your medical problem is found to be related to a previous illness or condition that you did not declare you run the risk of having claims on your insurance denied. Attempting to hide or ignore pre-existing medical conditions is simply not worth it.

Before you are tempted to purchase a very cheap travel insurance policy, or pick the first policy that comes up on a comparison site, or purchase any policy for that matter, always check that it provides adequate cover for medical expenses and includes air ambulance and medical repatriation.

Double-check the policy terms and conditions to ensure that all your planned activities are covered. If you are unsure or confused about any aspect of the insurance it is best to contact the company for clarification rather than leave things to chance.

Your travel destination should be taken into consideration, especially if you are travelling to an undeveloped country or remote area where medical facilities may be limited or inadequate. There is always the possibility that you may have to be transferred by air ambulance to a neighbouring country for treatment. This would obviously entail enormous expense and without travel insurance you or your family would be left alone to foot the bill.

If you are unsure whether you should declare any medical condition the best option is always to declare it - or ask for advice. Do not leave this important matter to chance or luck and risk ruining your trip. It could be a costly and unnecessary mistake.

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Travel Insurance and Health Issues

A diagnosis of a serious medical condition is likely to cause anxiety and confusion, especially in those used to travelling while enjoying good health.

The good news is that having a medical condition does not necessarily mean your travelling days are over. However, it is important to have some basic understanding of travel insurance and health issues. Many insurance policies automatically cover hundreds of medical conditions. The bad news is that for more serious conditions or combinations of conditions you may have to pay an extra fee. In some circumstances you may need to seek out a specialist insurer.

It is essential that you are totally honest and declare any pre-existing health condition(s) when purchasing travel insurance. Believing that you can hide your condition and no one will find out is a very bad idea. If you are lucky your trip will go smoothly without any problems, unplanned medical expenses, or need to contact the insurance claims or emergency assistance department; but what if you are not so lucky?

If an undeclared medical condition should flare up or cause you to become ill (or, worse yet, not survive) while overseas, someone has to pay the costs for hospital care and repatriation. Many travellers mistakenly believe that if they are injured or become ill abroad their consulate or embassy will take care of things for them and pay the hospital bills. If you do not have insurance you or your family have to pay the bills for your medical and hospital treatment. Medical bills are often astronomically high, depending on the condition and the country.

If you become ill while travelling it is very important to contact the emergency assistance number in your insurance policy as soon as possible. Failure to tell them immediately may result in denial of claims for unauthorised medical expenses. Who needs that!

EU citizens travelling within the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland should apply for and carry the free European Health Insurance Card. However, never use this as a substitute for travel insurance - you need both. Why?

To explain briefly: the European Health Insurance card provides cover under reciprocal health care agreements between participating countries. However, it does not extend to all costs - especially expensive medical repatriation. Any costs involved in transporting you (or your body or remains) home are the sole responsibility of you or your family, unless you have a good insurance policy that covers repatriation. So... always check your policy to make sure it is included!

It is very important to research all aspects of your holiday destination, and do it well before your trip - especially concerning health care and medical treatment. Government websites such as the British Foreign Office, Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland), U.S. Department of State and Smartraveller (Australia) provide important and updated travel advice and often include detailed information about medical care.

For example, if you travel to Australia and need medical treatment always check the terms and conditions for Medicare in your travel insurance policy. It is especially important that you contact the emergency assistance number provided by your travel insurance when treated as a hospital in-patient, especially if the treatment is not available free under Medicare. A little time spent checking the rules set out in your travel insurance policy could save a lot of worry - and potentially financially crippling medical bills.

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Travel Insurance - 5 Tips to Avoid Hefty Bills Abroad

Travellers are more aware nowadays than ever before of the importance of taking out travel insurance before a trip. Most travels are likely to go smoothly, but why take a chance and risk ruining that much-needed holiday.

A variety of travel mishaps and problems have dominated the news in the past few years and the importance of having travel insurance, as well as understanding your rights, has never been more in people's minds. Here are a few tips to consider before planning your next trip:

Tip No. 1 - Check that your travel insurance policy covers all your planned activities

Not all activities are covered under all policies, so this is important. If you are on a package holiday and choose to engage in activities outside those included you may find they are not covered unless you have taken out separate travel insurance. However, beware of travel insurance that seems very cheap or is offered as an incentive as the levels of cover may have been reduced - or the excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) increased. Your travel insurance policy should include a list of covered activities, such as elephant rides, scuba diving, bungee jumps, etc. Never assume that everything is automatically covered!

Tip No. 2 - Check that your policy includes adequate medical cover, liability and legal expenses

If you pick up a nasty stomach bug it could potentially put you in hospital. If you trip and break a leg, or sustain a serious injury it could result in very high medical bills for hospital treatment. If you cause injury to another person you could be liable and incur legal costs. If an injury results in medical repatriation to bring you home by air ambulance the need for additional seats on the plane, and/or medical escort, could set you back many thousands of pounds. Your consulate or the airline does not cover these costs. Someone has to pay and - without insurance - that someone is you, or your unsuspecting family or loved ones.

As well as adequate travel and medical insurance, always check that your policy includes cover for air ambulance and medical repatriation. This is vital.

Air ambulance fees to bring you back to the UK from your holiday destination could potentially cost thousands of pounds alone, and up to a staggering £50,000 from the USA! If it is necessary to fly you home on a stretcher with a medical escort the fees from even closer holiday destinations could be almost as financially devastating.

Tip No. 3 - Obtain a European Health Insurance Card

If you live in a EU country and are travelling within the European Union apply for the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and carry it with you. Depending on the country, it entitles you to free or reduced-cost emergency treatment on the same basis as a national of that country, in a state-run facility (not private). The EHIC should not be used instead of travel insurance, but will save you a lot of expense and inconvenience if you should sustain an injury or become sick while travelling. It is important to realise that the EHIC does not cover anything much other than emergency medical care. It does not cover repatriation to the UK or air ambulance costs. You will need travel insurance to cover an array of travel problems, such as non-urgent medical care, ongoing treatment, lost luggage, missed flights, scheduled airline failure, etc.

Tip No. 4 - Do Your Homework!

Research has shown that few people actually take the time to research the local laws and customs of their destination country before they set off. Awareness of potential pitfalls could save a lot of expense and grief. For example, do you know your destination country's rules for a single adult travelling with a child? Do you know which over-the-counter medicines you can and cannot legally take into the country? Do you know the basic rules of the road before driving in another country? The purchase of a good travel guidebook, or time spent reviewing travel advice provided online, such as on the Foreign Office website could help you avoid becoming the victim of a scam, or being arrested or fined for violating a local law that you were not aware of.

Tip No.5 - Make a note of Consulate/Embassy and Emergency Numbers

Before you travel, why not programme emergency numbers into your mobile phone and also keep a note of them with your travel documents. Having the number for the local emergency services programmed into your mobile phone could save time in the event of a robbery or accident - and even save lives. Consider registering with the Foreign Office 'Locate' service (or your own government's equivalent) to better enable the authorities to assist you if an emergency should arise. Their assistance in contacting friends and relatives would be a very welcome lifeline if needed and save you time, frustration, and expense.

It is time to be an educated traveller, as well as a savvy one. Why not pass these tips along to your family and friends. Remind them to take out travel insurance and do all they can to protect themselves and avoid unnecessary and hefty bills on their travels.

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Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance these days can protect you and your family whenever you are going out of town. It might be for a long hiking trip during the weekend or a holiday in another country for two weeks. Coverage is intended to get you medical attention in the event of an injury, illness, delay or other unforeseen expenses. You may find a short term/long term policy right online or by a local agent for coverage you can count on.

Why can it be a wise choice to purchase coverage for the next time you travel? Well, since there can be anything from delays, lost luggage, an accident or medical emergency it may pay to be prepared. Not only can this get you the medical attention you need, but won't incur unforeseen expenses while you're traveling.

What does cheap comprehensive travel insurance cover for those that are traveling? Well, it basically covers you in the event you are in need of medical care, experience delays, lose luggage and other unforeseen circumstances. It might be just to ensure you're trip goes well while hiking in the mountains or just for a relaxing time by the pool at a resort.

To get an affordable bargain shopping around and comparing rates is key. This way before you leave you know what it may cost you for the time you're traveling and for any destination you're going to. No matter if it's a short trip to hike in Europe or a relaxing time in the mountains.

When you really want to prepared especially when you are about to travel is to be prepared. This might mean to check on your destination country or the area you are going to to see if you may need additional coverage. Generally the best advice is going to come from the insurer so you get what's best for you.

Cheap comprehensive coverage can give you the protection you might need whenever you are traveling. It might be a long hike during the weekend or a long trip to Europe for the summer. Coverage gives the insured protection from incurring a financial loss due to a medical emergency, delay, cancellation or other unforeseen events. You can get a short term policy or long term policy from your local insurance agent or through a search online. This way you have something less to worry about when you're not at home.

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Safe Travel Tips and Travel Insurance

Some of the things you should consider are, your health, the health of close relatives, employment, weather related problems, just to mention a few. In short, think of the things that could go wrong that could cause you to cancel a vacation.

So, you decided to get Travel Insurance. That was the easy part. Since 9/11 the insurance industry has seen a boom in people wanting to get travel insurance. Because of this, there are a lot of choices; which insurer to pick and what type of coverage is best. From trip interruption... to policies that include multiple components, such as baggage coverage, medical, and collision damage insurance; all must be considered.

Don't assume just because you have travel insurance you will be covered. You need to do a lot of research. Just asking questions of your travel agent or insurance agent isn't enough. You have to read the policy completely - including the small print. You may think you were covered, only to find out that your claim was rejected. Your situation may not have met all the requirements to get a refund. If this does happen, you have the right to appeal the decision.

Time wise, when should you book your travel insurance? The sooner you decide, the better. If something happens after you booked your trip, but before you added travel insurance you are SOL! So, the only way to know if the policy you pick is right, is to research and ask questions.

There is a lot to consider in travel safety. Some is out of your hands, but there is a lot you can do to keep your vacation safe. The most important is being aware. This sounds easy, but don't be fooled; it's some thing you have to work at. Research where you are going so you know more of what to expect. If the cab driver tells you this is your destination you will know if it is the right place. Educate yourself to know approximate distances, so you are not taken advantage of by cab drivers.

When you are out and about, enjoy yourself, but stay aware of your surroundings. Look around; are you going into an area that doesn't look right? Is there som one watching you, is there a group of people who look out-of-place? Don't listen to your MP3 player. You need to hear what's happening around you. Let someone know where you will be going.

If something doesn't look or sound right, chances are it isn't. So you need to know what you should do to correct your situation. There are a lot of things you can get or do to make your travel safer; money belts, locks, etc. I will cover many of these in a future travel blog. Unless you learn to be aware of what's happening around you, your vacation could end badly.

With these few simple rules, you can do as much as possible to keep you and your traveling companions out of harms way. Simply put, always be aware of your surroundings; unless you can afford to hire a body-guard to do it for you! Watch for my next blog on safe travel.

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Put an End to All Your Travel Insurance Related Queries Here

There was a time when organizations were only concerned about increasing their profit margins. But, when the competition grew stiffer in the global market, these organizations shifted their focus from making profits to client satisfaction. Almost every insurance company today endeavors to satisfy its clients and this goal can be achieved by offering customized services. In fact, this is the reason why there has been an upshot in the numbers of products offered by the industry to customers worldwide.

In the beginning, companies used to offer insurance policies like health insurance, life insurance, and travel insurance that were all comprehensive in nature. The benefits included in one type of insurance were more or less similar and did not cater to individual differences.

However, today the scenario is completely different and every insurance company offers numerous policies for the consumers. With availability of so many policies, sometimes it becomes confusing for buyers to find out the desired product. The kind of doubts people generally have while buying insurance vary but here we have put together some FAQs that might help readers in one way or the other.

What is the difference between Comprehensive & Emergency Travel Medical Insurance?

Before telling our readers about the difference between both these types of insurance programs, it is critical to mention that a general health insurance policy is not valid abroad. It only covers medical expenses incurred while one is living in his homeland and this is why one has to buy special travelers health insurance while going to some foreign country.

Now, let us highlight the difference between these two types of insurance policies. Comprehensive travel insurance is for those people who do not have any medical policy otherwise. On the contrary, emergency policy is for those travelers who possess a health insurance policy at home but need to buy a policy for emergency cases in foreign countries.

Does Global Travel Insurance Cover Medical Evacuation As Well?

The service of medical evacuation has become quite common and many people believe their insurance company would offer this service under medical insurance. But, it does not hold true in every case and the buyers should check with the company before finalizing the deal. Also, medical evacuation is an expensive service and inclusion of this service might raise your premium amount.

Is Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance Same?

It is a common notion amongst insurance buyers that trip cancellation and trip interruption are same. However, there is a significant different between both these insurance policies and you should clearly understand the same. Trip cancellation is when the person cancels his trip due to unavoidable circumstances like death of an immediate family member or bad weather conditions. Trip Interruption on the other hand is applicable in the situation when the journey is interrupted in between.

In case you have any other doubts regarding health or travel insurance, don't just keep them with you. Ask experts in the insurance industry and resolve all your queries before investing in insurance policies.

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Travel Insurance for People Over 50 Years Old Offers Attractive Features for the Elderly

Do you wish to purchase travel insurance for people over 50 years old? There is no age limit when it comes to traveling. The desire to explore the world is not bound by any age limit. According to a survey, most of the people who go for holidays both at home and abroad are above 50s and 60s, especially those who have retired. By the time you reach 50, your kids are ready to leave home and most of them wish to live an independent life. In such cases, you have ample time and money to spend for yourself.

Opportunities Galore

Today you can think of visiting numerous places when it comes to planning for the holidays. If you are adventurous enough you can explore the jungles, relax by the seaside, or explore new places abroad. The options are indeed huge and there is something for everyone. You can contact some of the leading tourist companies who specialize in holiday planning and are willing to guide you when it comes to planning for vacations. A lot of people who have already reached their 50s are availing these opportunities offered by the holiday companies to book their holiday. This trend is increasing day by day. It is indeed a dream come true when you can surf the websites and go through the holiday places to book the best one for yourself.

Enjoy a Better Coverage

Since the trend of going on holidays is increasing day by day, it has become important for the elderly to seek travel insurance policies as it offers coverage at those times when you really need it. Mishaps can happen at any time during a trip or on the other hand, you may end up falling sick and would require immediate medical help. During such situations if you have travel insurance then it will be easier for you to meet your medical expenses. While you may have to make the payments initially from your own pocket, you can always claim the entire amount from the insurance company later on. However, it sometimes gets difficult for people above 50 to be insured as insurance companies expect the elderly to pay a huge premium amount in order to be able to enjoy better coverage. The charges are quite high and can be hard to afford.

How to avail the best travel insurance for people over 50 years old?

There are certain insurance companies, which do not keep any age limit for insurance policies. But these companies do put a limit on the duration of the holidays you are planning to enjoy. For example, if you are 60 and above, the time will fall down to 42 days from 90 days. If you want to go abroad for a holiday, you are free to get travel insurance for people over 50 years old or above. The insurance policies here go up to $5 million coverage for medical causes, up to $1,500 for loss of personal property and up to $5,000 for cancellation of your trip. You can get the terms and conditions of the companies online along with the charges from your travel agent or online. Single trip insurance also offers similar benefits and conditions. You are allowed to travel for a span of 120 days every year if no single trip lasts for more than 42 days for most policies offering travel insurance for people over 50 years old.

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Is Your Travel Insurance Policy Adequate?

Unfortunately, many people who buy insurance don't read the fine print. This can lead to disappointment and frustration when a claim is curtailed or isn't paid at all because there is limited or no cover. In the case of travel insurance its particularly important to understand the detail because of the number of different risks insured. To help understand the typical cover, I'll run through what's in a typical UK travel policy document. There's no substitute for reading the detail of your own policy but hopefully this gives quick & helpful guide.

This policy starts with an introduction and policy definitions. Then there are sections on health, general conditions, claims conditions, emergency assistance, and reciprocal health arrangements with other countries. The main body of the policy is given over to the schedule of benefits, and finally there's two regulatory sections on the complaints procedure and data protection.

The introduction is essentially a preamble and, amongst other things, highlights that a policy holder must be a permanent resident in the UK, the age limits covered, and the fact that most elements of the cover are subject to some form of excess.

The definitions section primarily relates to the terms used in the schedule of benefits. For instance, it lists the hazardous activities which are covered by the policy and those that aren't and those that are covered only when professionally organised and supervised.

The health section is an important one as by claims value this is the biggest risk covered. It highlights that the insured is committing to the insurer that at the time of taking out the policy & booking the trip the insured is /are healthy, and fit to travel & undertake each trip.... so if you claim as a result of an undisclosed medical condition you might not be covered. Disclosure of medical conditions to the insurer is therefore absolutely vital, and the section stipulates the conditions that require disclosure to confirm cover. These include any medical condition suffered in the 12 months prior to cover being taken out and prior to any trip; some specific conditions suffered in the last 24 months; and also some more serious conditions if they have ever been suffered. The latter category includes heart conditions, high blood pressure, blood clots, high cholesterol and any cerebrovascular problems. Cover may be given for a disclosed condition, sometimes at an extra cost. The disclosure requirements also apply to medical conditions that arise after the policy has been paid for.

The general condition section is pretty standard. It notes where there is dual insurance, the policy would cover only a proportionate share of the claim. An example would be where loss or theft of property is also covered under a household contents policy. The section also includes a 'reasonable precaution' clause noting the insured must take reasonable precautions to avoid illness, disease and injury, and loss, theft or damage to property. Finally it describes the policy cancellation arrangements.

The claims section again is standard. It provides contact details and also summarises the key 'does and don'ts' in regards to making a claim which are....do notify the insurer, preferably by phone, within 31 days of the claimable event or as soon as is possible thereafter, and if you are aware of any legal proceedings, inform the insurer immediately. Do retain any damaged property which is being claimed. Do not negotiate, admit or repudiate any claim without the written authority of the insurer. Do provide supporting evidence as requested by the insurer - without bills and receipts the insurer may not pay the claimed costs. The cost of providing evidence falls on the claimant except if the insurer requires an independent medical examination - that would be an insurer cost. Most of the rest of the section sets the rules in regard to fraudulent claims (they do happen!)

The general exclusions section describes circumstances which are not covered by the policy. I won't list them all, but they include war & terrorism; hazardous activities unless they are specified as covered; driving without a full UK licence; self inflicted injury & suicide; unlawful action against the insured; losses not directly associated with the claims incident; travel to countries against FCO advice. Emergency assistance section like claims gives contact details and summarises what to do in the event. The instructions are straightforward. Smaller medical costs can be dealt with in the same way a non-medical claim but if the medical costs are higher, the assistance company must be contacted and they will advise and arrange medical assistance as required with the costs being guaranteed, including air ambulances for critical cases.

Moving on to reciprocal health arrangements, this section deals with countries with which the UK government has reciprocal arrangements. The advice is to take an EHIC card when travelling in the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. To encourage this the insurer will waive the medical emergency excess if accepted costs are reduced by use of an EHIC card. In Australia certain treatment is free under MEDICARE so it is an insurer requirement to sign up at the local MEDICARE office over there after having received the first treatment. Details of what treatment's free can be obtained in the Health Advice Booklet for Travellers available at UK post offices.

The schedule of benefits section is the core the policy and should be read carefully. Again I'm not going to go through the detail here but in summary the cover is for

- Cancellation or curtailment - Catastrophe - Missed departure - Travel delay & holiday abandonment - Baggage delay - Personal property - Personal Money, passport & documents - Emergency medical & other expenses - Hospital benefit - Personal accident - Personal liability - Legal expenses

For each of these benefits, a cover limit and excess per person or family is specified. The medical cover per person is measure in the £ millions which is typical of most travel insurance offerings.

So what conclusions do I draw from this quick run through?

My overriding recommedation is read through the policy carefully and understand the cover. In particular, understand the exclusions, cover limits and excesses. The cover can vary significantly between policies. Also ensure that all medical condition disclosure requirements have been met. Second to medical costs, cancellation & curtailment is the biggest insured risk by claims value, so pay attention to the cover limits and excesses as they apply to this risk. Ask yourself, is the policy cancellation and curtailment limit sufficient to cover the costs of the holidays you are taking, and are the excesses acceptable? Then once purchased, make sure that you follow the claims and assistance procedures as stipulated in the policy document. This way you'll minimise the chances of an unsuccessful claim.

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Everything You Need to Know About Travel Insurance on Your Credit Cards

A GUIDE TO TRAVEL INSURANCE

Whether you're planning to take your family to meet Cinderella at Disney World, or do so some serious mountain biking with your buddies in the Sierra Madre Mountains, flight cancellations or hospital visits are never on the itinerary. Travel insurance can deliver piece of mind both while enjoying your trip, and if you're in a seemingly desperate situation. Not all trips are alike, but they may share some familiar headaches:

Pre-destination: travel cancellation (e.g. flight, hotel, tours, etc.) due to unforeseen circumstances Travel Transportation: missed, canceled or delayed flights; lost, stolen, or delayed baggage; accidents while on common carriers (e.g. planes, trains, busses, boats); rental car damages and disablement (e.g. towing, delivery of gas, etc.) Non-medical Issues Abroad: all types of liability (i.e. you damaged something or injured someone); legal costs; hotel burglary; robbery; stolen documents; travel interruption due to unexpected, urgent, or emergency situations Medical Issues Abroad: general medical emergencies; sports and leisure injuries; visit to a local doctor; getting prescription medicines; medical transportation or evacuation; dental problems; insect bites etc

Without even knowing it, you may already have some travel protection. This can come from a variety of places. It's important to read and understand your policies before you travel to make sure you know the extent of your coverage. Print out the details, and take a copy of it with you in your carry-on.

CREDIT CARDS

Not all credit cards offer the same bundle of protection features, but in general there are some similarities between them:

No-Fee Credit Cards ($0 per year): Normally you won't find any travel insurance with these basic cards Mid-Range Credit Cards ($1-99 per year): May offer some elements of travel insurance such as flight delays, baggage loss or delay, common carrier accidents, or trip interruption. Sometimes includes basic medical insurance. Certain cards may include car rental insurance (Collision Damage Waiver). None cover travel cancellation or hotel burglary Hi-End Credit Cards ($99+): Typically include trip interruption, flight delays, baggage loss or delay, common carrier accidents, travel medical protection, and rental car protection. May offer trip cancellation and hotel burglary

As much as we love to generalize, there is no escaping the fine print. There are certain conditions that apply, especially for medical insurance (e.g. amount covered, length of trip covered, age of traveler, coverage of spouse and children, and exceptions). Some cards include exceptions for rental car insurance in the case of vehicles over a value of $65,000.

CAA (AUTOMOBILE MEMBERSHIP)

The obvious benefit of being a CAA member is the automobile services they offer if traveling by car. In case you purchased your travel tickets through CAA, you automatically receive Travel Trip Insurance ($100,000 maximum for basic CAA members and $500,000 for CAA Plus and Plus RV Coverage members).

There is always the option of purchasing additional insurance outside of your membership fees, which will provide you with an extensive travel protection plan.

VARIOUS MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Look in any direction, and you're certain to find some kind of club that wants you as a member, be it an airline or a hotel chain. These memberships may come with extra perks like travel insurance. The Hilton Honors program offered by Hilton Hotels for example, provides a Collision Damage Waiver when you rent a car through their partner, Sixt. Or maybe you are already a member?

UMBRELLA PROTECTION

Ever think that an insurance policy could have you covered if you break a whole stand of Swarovski crystals? Think of umbrella insurance as additional liability protection on top of your other insurances. It may protect you against many types of accidents while on vacation such as bodily injury to others as a result of a car or skiing accident, or paying legal expenses for a court abroad. Check to see if you have such coverage, and the extent to which you are protected.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE

As a proud Canadian citizen, you can count on the government to bail you out in an emergency if you're traveling through Siberia, right? Not so fast. Medical treatment abroad can get very expensive, costing several thousands of dollars. Although your provincial health plan may have you covered when you fall off a ladder in your backyard, it is very limited as soon as you cross the border. Take Ontario and Quebec as examples:

Ontario Health Insurance Plan pays up to $200 per day for inpatient general services and up to $400 for such inpatient services as operating room or intensive care Regie de l'assurance maladie in Quebec pays up to $100 per day for hospitalization

These amounts clearly are not going to pay thousands of dollars per day that you may be charged in U.S. for staying in a hospital

A SAFE BET

When it comes to visiting the hospital while abroad, make sure stress and regret isn't what you'll ultimately be treated for. Without coverage from credit cards and limited protection from the government, you'll most likely require additional medical protection for you and your family. If you're anything like us, you'll probably be doing some rock climbing, downhill skiing, scuba diving or hot air ballooning while on your adventure, which are not necessarily covered. Make sure that your medical coverage does not exclude the activity you plan to be enjoying, whether you're a professional or just do it for recreation.

For some extra peace of mind, review what you are protected against by your current sources. If there is an important type of coverage that you do not have, strongly consider purchasing a more extensive plan for the duration of the trip. In an unfortunate situation, you'll know you can keep calm and carry on. Travel insurance is provided today by many insurance companies (e.g. Manulife, Co-operators) and multiple banks in Canada (e.g. TD, RBC), just check their web pages.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

Review your home policy, as some insurance providers require arranged supervision (e.g. checking every 7 days) while you're away to cover any damages that occurred in your absence (e.g. breakage of plumbing due to freezing) Read, understand, photocopy, and carry your insurance policies in your carry-on luggage. Some countries explicitly demand that you demonstrate insurance protection while entering the country Some providers may refuse coverage if you are going to "unstable" parts of the world. The list varies from one provider to the next, and changes with time, so explicitly ask if you're destinations are covered. Some providers use a list from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Get vaccinated if necessary and talk to your doctor. You will need to start dealing with vaccination 4-8 weeks before departure. To see which vaccinations you may require, check out the web site from the World Health Organization Travel Insurance - Avoid Becoming a Statistic   What Does Travel Health Insurance Cover?   Best Gifts for Jetsetters   

The No 1 Mistake When Buying Travel Insurance

You made those long awaited vacation plans and you know you need to think about travel insurance. The travel agent you used strongly suggested that you protect your investment with trip insurance. You know a lot of things could happen before you leave that might cause the trip to be canceled.

Maybe you've just booked that dream cruise. You've spent a lot of money. What if something happens? Somebody could get sick. Weather could cause flight delays and you'll miss your sailing time. You'll definitely want some kind of protection. It's the smart thing to do.

Well congratulations! At least you recognize the need to protect your investment. That's more than a lot of people who spend a lot of money on travel plans and never consider what could happen and how much they could lose. But when you go to buy that travel insurance don't make the #1 mistake that many people make.

So many people take the easy way out without thinking. They opt for the travel insurance their travel agent is recommending or they may see that when they booked their cruise the cruise line was offering travel insurance at a cost that seemed reasonable. Don't make this #1 mistake! This is the worse way possible for getting any kind of trip insurance.

Consider this. Your travel agent is offering a particular plan or plans from a particular insurance carrier. Now this may not be a bad plan but do you think it is being offered because it is the best value or has the best in coverage options for you? It's probably not. It's probably offered because your travel agent has a business relationship with that carrier and they get the best commissions when their clients buy it.

The same thing is true with any kind of travel insurance that is offered through any travel vendor like the cruise line you booked your trip on. This will almost certainly not be the best value for your money. Plus, why would you think that these travel policies would meet your specific needs? Sure they may have options you can select giving you a little flexibility but you can be sure you probably can do better in price and coverages.

Here's what you need to do. First take a minute and asses your own particular travel situation. Are there things at work that might get in the way of the trip? Are you traveling with children? Are there any health issues with elderly parents that could cause problems while you're away? You don't have to spend days doing this but be aware of potential situations that could come up.

Then do some comparative shopping online. There are several places where you can get comparative quotes and most importantly read the detail description of coverage. This will tell you what specific coverages and exclusions are included in the plan. Now this may not be the most enjoyable reading but it is necessary. Most plans have options and upgrades that you might want or need to give you adequate protection for your unique situation.

Be especially careful when you compare the medical travel insurance coverages and benefits. This after all is the most important reason for buying any form of travel insurance. Take your time, compare policies and you'll avoid making the biggest mistake people make and be able to find the best value for your money at the same time.

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Why Do Senior Citizens Need Travel Insurance?

There are a lot of senior citizens that love to travel and see the world, but they don't know how much they need to be covered while their in the air. Senior travel insurance is really perfect for seniors who love to always travel, as they will be protected at all times. They will be fully protected while they are overseas. If they are in need of medical assistance or simply any kind of assistance, their travel insurance will be there for them to solve the problem. So basically, they don't have to worry about anything when they're on a vacation. This is a very important coverage that every senior that loves to travel needs. If you are a senior citizen that loves to travel, you have to make sure that you are safe if ever an incident occurs.

What is senior travel insurance?

Senior travel insurance is a type of insurance coverage that will protect the senior citizen if any incidents occur while they are overseas. The great thing about this coverage is that you can have a peace of mind to know that no matter what happens to you, their will be someone to help you. If you need help to find your lost luggage, or missing travel documents, there will be special assistance available for you anywhere around the world.

Why do senior citizens need travel insurance?

Seniors don't have an idea of what can happen to them while they are traveling. If you go to a foreign country, you can accidentally eat or drink something that your body system cannot manage. If something like this does occur, your senior travel Insurance will cover and take care of you so that you can continue your vacation.

How much is the coverage for senior travel insurance?

The premium is based on the actual age of the senior, health status, and the area they live in. There are rules and restrictions, but your insurance agent will be glad to explain to you what they are so you can avoid any delays. They can do other different types of coverage that will be perfect for you so that you will be able to find a coverage that meets your budget.

There are many insurance companies that may offer this type of coverage online. However, you must make sure that you are dealing with the right company that will provide you a coverage that is actually needed. Try not to deal with anyone who isn't licensed or registered with the Department of Insurance, as they may not provide any coverage for you if you are actually in need of help. These people only want to collect your monthly premium and will not give any service whatsoever. Don't let these con artists take your money, as they are very manipulative. It is advisable to contact your nearest Department of Insurance for more information about unlicensed solicitors. This will give you an idea of what you you should do to avoid getting ripped off.

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How to Organize Travel Insurance Online

A holiday vacation is meant to be fun, relaxing and worry-free. However, unexpected circumstances such as accidents or flight cancellation may cost you money, time and inconvenience especially if you are travelling without travel insurance. This is why you need to consider purchasing travel insurance suited for all your traveling needs. By thoroughly comparing your options, you can easily know which insurance you need, exactly. Looking for insurance is made even easier by doing it online.

Step 1: Call your current insurance company. Ask if they provide travel insurance or if your current insurance covers local or overseas travels. This way, you avoid purchasing something that you no longer need. If you are informed that you do not have travel insurance yet, ask the operator if they offer one. If they have none, ask the operator for any recommendations regarding travel insurance options. Ask for a website or contact number, if possible.

Step 2: Navigate to a travel insurance website. If you do not know any, search for travel insurance companies online and visit their websites one by one. Compare the prices offered by different providers. Read the policies and coverage to understand the insurance better. Find out if they have insurance packages and if they can customize your insurance need to avoid paying for unnecessary things. For example, if you are traveling with your family, you may want to avail of a group or family option. You may also want to choose a multi-trip insurance plan if you travel several times a year.

Step 3: Once you have chosen an insurance company you like, navigate to the "Contact Us" page and email them your inquiries. For faster transaction, look for their telephone number and contact them. Ask everything you want to ask and clarify anything that is unclear to you. Ask for a quotation of your insurance plan. If possible, purchase your insurance via phone. Just make sure that you are calling a legitimate number to ensure that your money is not put into waste. Some insurance companies allow you to purchase an insurance plan in their website while others require you to phone them for a more detailed service. If you are purchasing online, complete the application form and proceed to the payment process. If you are purchasing by phone, you will need to provide all the information that they need, including your credit card or bank details for payment.

Travel Insurance - Avoid Becoming a Statistic   What Does Travel Health Insurance Cover?   Best Gifts for Jetsetters