Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Travel Insurance - How to Protect Your Vacation Investment

You've been saving up for your summer vacation for months, shopping around for the best rates and booking well ahead of time to get the best deals. You've made all of the non-refundable deposits, or maybe you paid for the whole trip upfront for extra savings. But did you think about what would happen if you couldn't take the trip? What would happen if a member of your family suddenly got seriously sick, either before or during the trip? And what about that crazy weather? How can you protect your investment and make your trip even more relaxing? Think ahead and think of Travel Insurance.

There are numerous situations that can either cause you to cancel or interrupt your vacation, and there are nearly as many travel insurance options that you can customize to your vacation and situation. Here are some general types of insurance that are available through various travel insurance companies. Always check the Terms of Coverage before you buy and make sure that it covers your areas of concern.

Trip Cancellation Insurance - Trip cancellation insurance generally covers the non-refundable portions of your trip, either in the form of deposits or pre-payments, in the event you need to completely cancel your trip. Reasons for cancellation can range from sickness or death of a family member to a home disaster such as burglary or fire. Depending on the terms of coverage or available optional coverage, trip cancellation insurance can cover cancellation costs due to events like serious sickness of a business partner, hurricanes or even jury duty. What if your boss cancels your vacation due to an impending merger? You may be covered if you purchased optional Work Related coverage.

Trip Interruption Insurance - Trip interruption insurance is most often offered hand in hand with Trip Cancellation Insurance. Many of the same reasons that could cause a cancellation could also cause your trip to be interrupted. Coverage could range from any loss of deposits to additional costs to change your return travel plans.

Trip Delays, Missed Connections, and Baggage - Travel insurance can also cover costs that you incur due to weather or airline mechanical delays, missed connections and problems with your baggage. What if a blizzard closes down your return destination airport and you have to stay longer in your vacation spot? Sounds ideal, but it can also be more than you budgeted for. Travel insurance can help cover these unexpected expenses.

Medical Coverage - Medical coverage can range from emergency medical and dental expenses incurred to costs for an emergency medical evacuation or transportation to an acceptable medical facility. In many cases, the travel insurance medical coverage may only kick in if they are not covered under any other insurance policy and pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Check the Description of Coverage for what is covered. If pre-existing conditions are not covered in the standard travel insurance medical coverage, you may be able to purchase an optional policy to have it covered. Travel Insurance Medical Coverage can be especially valuable for international travel where your personal insurance is not adequate or where medical facilities may not be up to standards.

Travel Assistance - While not technically insurance, many travel insurance companies offer special assistance while you are covered. This can include help with identity theft, passport loss, emergency situation assistance or even restaurant reservations.

Optional Travel Insurance Coverage - Many Travel Insurance companies also offer various optional coverages for things like car collision protection, flight insurance, cancellation for any reason (as opposed to "covered" reasons), and cancellation for work reasons. What if your boss cancels your vacation due to an impending merger? You may be covered if you purchased optional Work Related coverage.

Your vacation may be one of you greatest single expenditures you'll make this year and may be essential to helping you recharge and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Make it even more stress-free by making the decision to purchase travel insurance. If something goes wrong, you'll be glad you did. If everything goes right, at least you didn't ruin your vacation by worrying about not being covered!

Big Red Security is dedicated to information to help you maintain the security and safety of your greatest assets - you, your family, and your finances. Visit Big Red Security to see other articles regarding Travel Insurance and links to Travel Insurance sites.

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