Travel Insurance Advice

What is meant by immediate family member?

Debby Theis — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:25 +0000

Most travel insurance polices have a very broad definition of family member which include child, spouse’s child, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother, sister, mother, father, grandparents, grandchild, step-brother, step-sister, step-parents, parents-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, legal guardian, caregiver, and legal ward. The policy certificate will list the specific definition for that plan.

We are planning a trip to Australia and fear my husband might not be able to go for business reasons. Will travel insurance cover this?

Debby Theis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:00:29 +0000

Yes, some travel insurance policies will cover “cancel for work” reasons. This is typically an optional coverage for an additional premium of $24 - $30 per person and must be purchased within 14 - 21 days of the initial trip deposit.

Will trip cancellation and interruption cover if my active duty soldier son becomes a casualty?

Debby Theis — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:53:56 +0000

Unfortunately, most travel insurance policies have a general exclusion that reads: This plan does not cover any loss caused by or resulting from war, invasion, acts of foreign countries, hostilities between nations (whether declared or not) civil war. However, some policies offer a cancel for any reason benefit typically payable at a reduced rate if you are within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, insure the full pre-paid non-refundable trip costs and cancel 2 days or more prior to departure. For this benefit, you do not have to provide a reason for cancellation. Cancel for any reason does not provide cover for trip interruption.

Will trip cancellation cover for accommodations booked with Amex reward points?

Debby Theis — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:00:18 +0000

You may buy travel insurance to cover any cash loss. Trip costs paid with frequent flier miles or reward points are not insurable.

The Benefits of Traveling with Elvia

Debby Theis — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:00:58 +0000

This article has been reproduced from Elvia’s website.

The Benefits of Traveling with Elvia

You’ve got enough baggage for your trip. Why add to it with worry about potential mishaps? At Elvia, we want to lighten your load. We offer protection that keeps you covered and carefree—no matter where your travels bring you.

24/7 Global Support
When you travel with Elvia, you have constant access to our team of travel insurance professionals. With hundreds of professionals located around the globe, you’re never far from help, advice and support.
Travel Expertise
Sure, we know travel insurance. But we also know travel. Through services like the Elvia® Concierge and Family 411, we can provide in-depth information about your destination, including recommended activities, restaurants, and hotels.
Quick Response
When it comes to filing a claim, we keep it simple and quick. We accept claims 24 hours a day, and in most cases we’ll pay your covered claim within seven days.
Extensive Coverage Benefits
Elvia strives to offer coverage for most contingencies that may affect your travel. Take a look at our available coverage benefits.**
Personal Assistance
Concierge
Enjoy personalized recommendations, assistance, and advice about your destination before and during your trip.
24 – Hour Hotline
Call for instant assistance—anytime, anywhere—for any travel emergency

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance.

Why buy travel insurance?

Debby Theis — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:00:17 +0000

This article has been reproduced from TravelSafe’s website.

Over 70% of U.S. travelers now purchase travel insurance when booking their trip through a travel agent. Quite simply, they do it because it’s a smart decision. Approximately one in 6 travelers have had to file a claim.

Still not convinced that travel insurance is for you? Ask yourself, “Can I afford to lose my vacation investment?” Sickness, injury or worse can occur when you are least expecting it. And not only to you, but to your non-traveling family members.

Without travel insurance:

Would you be able to pay all of your emergency expenses out of pocket and in advance?
Would you be covered if you injured yourself on your trip and required emergency assistance or medical evacuation back to the U.S.?
Would you be able to leave immediately if an elderly parent passed away or there was a medical emergency in your family back home while you were on your trip?
Would you get your money back if something happened before your trip and you needed to cancel?

Travel insurance helps protect against unforeseen emergencies which can occur at any time. It also helps protect you against other circumstances like travel delay, lost or stolen baggage and personal items, missed connections, hurricanes and so much more.

In short, travel insurance is Peace of Mind. It allows you to relax and enjoy your vacation without worry. If you don’t think it’s worth the cost, just ask someone who’s needed to file a claim.

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance.

Who should I call if I need medical assistance while I am traveling?

Debby Theis — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:30:46 +0000

Most all travel insurance policies provide 24 hour assistance services. If you need medical assistance while traveling, contact the emergency assistance number listed in your travel insurance policy documentation.

TravelSafe Travel Insurance Offers Free Online Medical Records

Debby Theis — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:00:34 +0000

This article has been reproduced from TravelSafe’s website.

Effective immediately, any traveler purchasing a TravelSafe Insurance Plan can now automatically register their medical information for free with our new Partner Global Xpi.

Registering with Global Xpi (Express Patient Information) assures that your essential emergency medical information is available online to healthcare providers at anytime, anywhere in the world, when time is critical. It takes less than five minutes to register! Best of all, unlike similar services offered by other companies, there is no need to carry anything with you.

“TravelSafe’s Global Xpi service is more convenient and secure than our competitors’ services, which cost up to $149. Global Xpi is offered free with every TravelSafe Insurance package and there are no CD’s to get lost, damaged or stolen,” says TravelSafe’s President/CEO, Scott Perfetto. Scott also noted that the $149 could be used to purchase a TravelSafe policy that includes the industry first cash back Cancel For Any Reason benefit.

Your information is stored in a Verisign secure environment which ensures complete privacy, security and confidentially, which meets or exceeds the HIPAA Federal Regulations.

In the event of an emergency, the information listed on the Medical Information Registration Form, may ONLY be accessed by you or authorized emergency personnel. Your registered information will be available anywhere in the world, twenty-four hours a day, wherever Internet access is available. Additionally, because the service is online, you will be able to keep your information up-to-date securely and conveniently.

This new service from TravelSafe will help treating physicians by alerting them of drug allergies that could be life threatening, and possible dangerous drug interactions by listing your current medications. It also allows physicians, previously unknown to you, to make a more accurate diagnosis and decisions regarding your care.

“TravelSafe’s new Global Xpi service improves the quality of healthcare for you and your family” Perfetto stated. “It ensures that physicians know your medical history quickly, safely and accurately.”

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance.

What is the difference between travel medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance?

Debby Theis — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:30:22 +0000

Travel Medical Insurance is more comprehensive than Evacuation Coverage. Travel Medical Insurance not only covers medically-necessary evacuation costs, but it also pays expenses to physicians, hospitals and other medical providers. Evacuation Coverage pays for emergency transport to a facility with a higher level of care In the event of a medical emergency.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to an airline strike?

Debby Theis — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:00:01 +0000

Many travel insurance policies offer coverage for trip cancellation and interruption if a trip is delayed, cancelled or interrupted due to a sanctioned union labor strike for an airline or other travel supplier, as long as the coverage effective date is prior to when the strike is foreseeable. Usually, a strike is considered foreseeable on the date labor union members vote to approve a strike.