Posted June 29th, 2011
by Jackson Yarnold
Travel insurance helps protect a vacation against many unexpected situations that can ruin a trip. The wildfires in the southwestern United States has many travelers asking how travel insurance can help. Depending on which policy and when the policy was purchased, there can be several coverage benefits that apply.
First it is important to note that a policy must be purchased before an event is considered foreseeable. This means it would be too late to purchase a policy today to cover the fires already burning in Arizona, since the fires first started on May 29th.
For those who already have a policy, look in the certificate for travel delay, trip cancellation and interruption or cancel for any reason coverage.
Travel delay reimburses expenses during a time of delay. These expenses can include food, taxis and hotels. Most policies provide coverage if a common carrier delay lasts for a set amount of time, anywhere from 3 to 24 hours. So the extra costs incurred because smoke delayed a flight can be reimbursed by travel delay coverage.
Trip cancellation and trip interruption covers the unused expenses of a trip that are not refunded if the trip is scrapped for a covered reason. Review a policy’s covered reasons to see if fire is covered. Many plans cover if the traveler’s home or the accommodation at the destination is damaged by a fire or natural disaster. So if the fires ruin the traveler’s home or lodging during the trip is uninhabitable, the trip can be cancelled or end early, and the travelers reimbursed.
The catch all coverage is cancel for any reason. This allows the trip to be cancelled entirely without having to provide an explanation, even if it is concern about the wildfires. There are some restrictions with this benefit. First, it is only available if the policy is purchased within a short time from the trip deposit date, anywhere from 9 to 30 days. Second, the full trip cost has to be insured in order to qualify for this coverage. This means the traveler doesn’t have the option to only insure a flight, but not a tour, all prepaid and non-refundable expenses have to be insured. Next, the trip has to be cancelled at least two days before departure. Once within two days of the trip start date, the coverage no longer applies. Last, a claim will not reimburse 100% of the trip cost, most policies reimburse 75% of the trip cost.
Tags: Insurance, Travel Insurance Posted in Insurance Advice
Posted January 25th, 2011
by Jackson Yarnold
The recent bombing at the Domodedovo airport in Moscow has travelers asking how travel insurance terrorism coverage can help in this situation. The following excerpt from ABC provides details about the incident.
An explosion rocked Moscow’s busiest airport today in an apparent “terrorist attack”, killing 35 and injuring dozens more, according to Russian officials.
The blast erupted in the arrivals area of the Domodedovo airport at 4:40 p.m. Moscow time. In add
Read more…
Tags: Bombing, Travel Insurance Posted in Insurance Advice
Posted October 1st, 2010
by Jackson Yarnold
Travel insurance carriers sometimes share customer testimonials in a newsletter, blog or on their website. Recently, Travel Insurance Services posted a review from a young woman studying abroad who broke her leg and needed medical treatment. The following is the student’s story and how her travel insurance coverage helped.
A 19-year old female, studying in France, was involved in a scooter accident and sustained a serious, open fracture to her right tibia.
How we helped…
She was operated on for the fracture and the doctor ordered no weight bearing on the right lower limbs.
The hospital accepted our assistance company’s guarantee of payment so that the patient would not have to pay an expensive bill out of pocket.
The assistance staff arranged for ground ambulance to the airport, wheelchair assistance, and a Business Class seat for her to fly home.
This is a good example of why it is important to contact the emergency assistance number as soon as reasonably able once the traveler knows medical treatment is needed. Emergency assistance can help arrange medical transportation, ensure the necessary medical treatment is received and work with the medical facility about payment. Always refer to the certificate of insurance for details.
Tags: Insurance Services, Services, Travel Insurance, Travel Insurance Services Posted in Insurance Advice
Posted August 18th, 2010
by Jackson Yarnold
Canada is a great place to travel in, but the best way to do so is with Canadian travel insurance. Having Canadian travel insurance will give you peace of mind as you discover great things about the French-speaking country. Canada is fast becoming a vacation destination – with it strong economy and welcoming environment, you will certainly warm up to Canadians real fast. Now that we have all but gotten over the recession, so do not be left out and start planning your Canadian vacation.
Canada is not only a stopover, but it is slowly becoming a destination thanks to the high standard of living and penchant for attracting a good number of foreign visitors. Read more…
Tags: Canadian Travel, Canadian Travel Insurance, Insurance, Travel Insurance Posted in Insurance Advice