Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Travel Insurance – Insurance For The Over 65's

by Michael Calliner

According to a survey published by Mintel, one in three pets needs an unexpected visit to the vet each year. This means that you are more likely to claim on your pet insurance than on a home & contents policy or even your car insurance.

The word “unexpected” is important here. If you are looking for pet insurance to provide cover for routine treatments such as vaccinations or worming, forget it – policies that do that are as rare as hens' teeth! And you won't find cover for elective treatments, such as neutering, either. This means that the most common reasons for visiting the vet are uninsurable.

But don't forget it's those unexpected visits that tend to be the expensive ones! Developments in animal care mean that more conditions can be effectively treated and costs of emergency care can be horrendous. A cat that argues with a car could cost £700, even more, to treat. After all, a series of X-rays could cost £400 and a MRI scan will put you back £1,000. If Buster the Bulldog tore a ligament that too can be treated – but the cost? Don't expect change from £1,500! This is serious money!

Having appreciated that most reasons for a visit to the vet are uninsurable, what do we get for our money?

Well, insurance plans largely fall into three types. The first restricts the value of the claim for each condition or event; the second limits the total annual payout and the third and cheapest option, limits the payout per condition and ceases cover after 12 months of treatment. Most will make a payout if you pet dies. And with all policies you will have to pay an excess on any claim, usually between £50 and £100.

And the cost? That depends on which type of policy you want, the excess you want to pay, the sort of pet you have, its breed, its age and even your post-code (vets charge more in Chelsea). But as a guide, an industry estimate suggests costs between £30 and £200 per year for a cat and between £50 to £500 for Buster.

The best advice is start the insurance when your pet is young. Most pets can be insured after they're 8 weeks old and you can then maintain the insurance over the course of its life. If your pet is in it's middle age when you want to start the insurance, say eight or nine for a dog, then it may be difficult to get worthwhile cover. This is because treatments for existing health conditions will be excluded from the cover and in any case, a new policy at that age gets expensive.

So how can you lower the premiums? Sometime insurers will give you a discount if you pet has been identity chipped and quantity discounts do prevail! Discounts are widely available for your second and subsequent insured pet.

Then there's always the Internet. The Internet is taking an increasing share of the insurance market and no wonder – its simple, quick and easy. What's more it's probably the cheapest avenue for all your insurance whether it be for your home, your car or pet.

About the Author:
Michael writes for Brokers Online who offer most UK financial services including travel insurance Travel Insurance Topics

Travel Insurance – Insurance For The Over 65's

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Monday, October 29, 2007

Vacation Travel Insurance Tips

by Peter Shannon

Travel insurance is an important but often overlooked part of your vacation. Whether you are traveling to a foreign country or to the next state you should consider travel insurance.

Some of the reasons to have insurance are to cover medical expenses, life insurance for your family, or trip insurance when something goes wrong.

If you have medical coverage, check with your insurer to find out the specifics regarding your planned destination.

You can buy medical coverage for the duration of your trip or for longer periods. Some travel insurance policies cover multiple trips of specific duration. Some will cover you for travel up to a year.

Planning a skiing or mountain climbing vacation? You may want to consider evacuation insurance. If you need to be rescued it is quite possible that the you will end up with a hefty bill to pay for the service.

If you are going on a cruise, taking an organized tour or just flying on an airplane you may want trip cancellation insurance. You or a family member may get sick at the last minute or your plans may change unexpectedly.

Many companies do not offer refunds and you could be out thousands of dollars. There are many things out of your control that can mess with your plans. Refunds are tough to get sometimes.

Other popular coverage is loss of baggage, baggage delay, travel delay, dental, 24 Hour Traveler Assistance, and accidental death.

If you are driving out of the country definitely check with your auto insurer. Purchase any extra coverage needed. You may want to ask about an international roadside assistance policy.

Auto breakdowns and accidents are bad enough at home but the problems are compounded abroad.

Check with your credit card company. You may have some coverage if you purchase your vacation with their card.

If you are traveling with a group you may be able to get coverage cheaper as a group rather than individually.

Sometimes you will pay more for less coverage if you buy it through a travel agent who makes a nice commission. This is not always the case but it's your money. Shop around for the best deal.

About the Author:
Peter Shannon is a writer and author of the popular http://www.1001VacationIdeas.com – a Web site born out of his passion. Perhaps you have a passion or hobby that you would like to write about. Discover how to turn it into a profitable Web site like Peter has. Visit http://www.UseYourPassion.com to learn more.

Vacation Travel Insurance Tips

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Saturday, October 27, 2007

Why You Should Not Buy Holiday Insurance From Your Travel Agent

by Simon Cristopher

When you're planning a holiday or trip the last thing you want to consider is what could go wrong. This is no doubt the reason so many UK travelers take a holiday abroad without the protection of a travel insurance policy.

For many of those that do protect themselves, it's often an afterthought with little attention paid to the quality of the cover or it's value for money. A large number of travelers who book their holiday through a travel agent, often choose the policy offered or suggested by the agent for convenience or because they assume the great deal they just got on their package holiday will be replicated with the travel insurance premiums. This is rarely the case as travel agents look to recoup some of the discounts they give on holidays from added extras they promote such as travel insurance.

First of all, your travel agent is not an insurance expert. This means that they often know little or nothing about holiday insurance and how their policy compares to others on the market. They'll be able to give you the information that they've been told to give you, and they will have no problem selling it to you, but in most cases you won't get a choice of policies or providers so won't be able to guage if you are getting a good deal or not.

Many travel agents are also agents of just one insurance company so you are restricting your choice to one or at most a hand full of providers chosen from a restricted panel. It might appear to be more trouble than it's worth shopping around for travel insurance and this is why many holiday makers prefer the simplicity of cover bought with their holiday at the travel agent. But as little as ten minutes on the internet at a price comparison website will open up the market and allow you to compare hundreds of policies by price and policy features. Armed with this research you can then consider the travel agent's cover from a position of strength and make an informed choice.

Holiday insurance should be a vital part of your travel arrangements, particularly if you are traveling as a family. Thousands of people have their holiday dreams ambushed by cancellations, lost baggage and stolen possessions every year - to mention a few. That's why it's important to do your homework and if you are unsure, buy your cover from an expert. You wouldn't buy your holiday from an insurance broker so why buy your travel insurance from a holiday broker. As the saying goes, failing to plan is like planning to fail, and when your well earned holiday is at stake, a little effort now will be well worth the extra peace of mind.

About the Author:
Quickly find top rated, award winning cover from travel insurance companies like Marks and Spencer at http://www.uk-insurance-index.co.uk.

Why You Should Not Buy Holiday Insurance From Your Travel Agent

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Thursday, October 25, 2007

Travel Under Cover With Low Cost Holiday Insurance

by MT David

Travel enthusiasts in UK are either off to their ski holidays or are desperately planning for next summer's break. Other than the usual tourist hotspots, exotic lands in far away countries are on the hot-list of almost everyone. Travel insurance is a necessary evil that all of us will have to indulge in. With the global threat of terrorism, it has become all the more imperative that people who are travelling by public transport get insurance cover.

But otherwise as well, the usual demons like sickness, lost baggage, cancelled trip, illness of loved ones, missed flights, theft of valuables etc make insurance a must-have instead of an indulgence. Those going for a ski holiday must consider insurance all the more because there are more and more cases of patients not being able to afford airlifting in case of accidents on ski slopes.

Many people think that just because they are paying for their holiday through their credit card, they can make do with the free insurance cover given with it. But on reading the finer print, one finds that the cover is not absolute and has several clauses working against the interest of the insured. Moreover, credit card companies are third party providers, thus causing difficulties during the times of the claims.

Your best bet would be to compare various travel insurance providers online. Just browse through their pages and choose the best quotes. This comparing should be done not just on the basis of quotes but the extent of coverage as well. For example, you would do well to enquire whether the cover is extended to cancellation of holiday in case your loved ones fall sick.

Those on a tight budget can get low cost holiday insurance by keeping a few things in mind. It would be wise to check if your home cover includes lost or stolen items during travelling. Most home insurance covers include this clause and if your cover does too, you can save a lot of money. Besides, travel insurance often doesn't cover the full value of the valuables unlike home insurance where the full value of the lost item is compensated. So, if you want an extra low cost holiday insurance, its better to get a cover for lost valuables from your home insurance rather than pay extra premium on your travel insurance.

So, if you are heading out to the sun or the ski slope, make sure to travel under cover. You would want to make sure that your holiday remains memorable for all the right reasons!

About the Author:
David is an author, write various articles on different themes to expand information, because articles is also a good way to send their voice to needy people easily. You can visit to know brief about UK Holiday Insurance. For more info please visit: http://www.ukonlinemarket.co.uk/

Travel Under Cover With Low Cost Holiday Insurance

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

5 Ways To Choose The Best Travel Insurance For Your Holiday

by Eddie Feltham

Travel insurance is one of those areas that mean nothing to you until you decide to hit the road – or the air – then suddenly every ad is for travel insurance and everywhere you look another company is touting for your business. So how do you choose the best insurance company and the best travel insurance for your unique travelling needs?

5 Points To Consider

1.The cost of the policy could be more than what you pay

When reviewing the policy options never start with the price first. As with most things in life you get what you pay for and while you want to be sure to get the best value for your money, this does not necessarily mean the cheapest price. Comprehensive cover that delivers and supports in time of need is what you should be looking for.

2.What back up do you receive in an emergency?

Are you being sent on your world tour with a 9 to 5 Monday to Friday contact number or are you provided with fully comprehensive numbers providing 24/7 contact and support, reverse charge options and 0800 numbers.

3.What is included as standard in your policy

Some companies come in with a low rate and then charge extra for every doorknob eventually leading to over inflated cover. Go through the company’s policy offerings to be sure exactly what you are covered for. The range should be extensive as the company should know and have addressed a range of pitfalls you may not have thought of.

4.Who underwrites and supports the company

Establish who your support company will be should you face a medical emergency or the need for evacuation. Most companies do not handle these highly specialised areas themselves but have aligned themselves with skilled and experienced worldwide organisations to ensure the best possible protection and support for their customers.

5.Does the company cater for varying needs?

Does the company provide a one size fits all policy? Beware, you may be paying for cover you don’t need or be under insured in some critical areas. Look for a company which provides a range of covers including NZ only travel policies, backpacker, group or duo options, long stay, one way or gap insurance and more.

About the Author:
Eddie Feltham is Marketing Director for 1Cover, and has 10 plus years experience in the travel industry. For all-inclusive travel insurance - Australia, New Zealand or worldwide – and the best travel insurance rates, visit 1 Cover Travel Insurance NZ

5 Ways To Choose The Best Travel Insurance For Your Holiday

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Friday, October 19, 2007

Business Travel Insurance

Anyone that travels a lot should consider travel insurance, but those that travel for business often overlook the importance of this protection. Business travel insurance is simply a good idea because it can provide you with the protection that you need whether you are travelling just a short or long distance away from home. You never know when you are going to need the protection that insurance can provide, so you should look into business travel insurance before you go on your next trip.

The great thing about business travel insurance is that the individual can purchase it or a company can purchase it. Many companies are choosing to purchase the insurance for all of their employees that travel. This is a very economical way to buy the coverage as many companies can offer bulk buy discounts. This can be a particularly good idea for companies that host a lot of conferences, meetings, team building events, training courses, product launches, and the like. Many businesses offer corporate hospitality outings and the like, and even on these fun getaways employees should be protected and business travel insurance is a great way to get that protection.

If you happen to be an employee that travels to a lot of business oriented annual general meetings, exhibitions, seminars, or conventions and you aren't provided with business travel insurance you can buy it yourself. The coverage is not at all expensive, and you may even be able to purchase the coverage at the same time that you plan an event or plan your travel, which will make it convenient to purchase. When you purchase this protection you can go on your business travels and not worry about what would happen if you were robbed, if your luggage was lost, or if you needed medical attention in an area where your usual medical or dental insurance was not valid.

Many of us think about travel insurance when we are going on vacation or visiting exotic vacations, but this is not the only time when you need the protection that this type of insurance can provide. Business travel insurance is just as important as the insurance that you would buy when flying across the world for an exotic vacation or honeymoon because there is just as much opportunity for you to encounter health problems or circumstances that you just did not plan for. Why should you be any less equipped to handle these problems on a business trip than you would be when you are on vacation? When you leave home you should feel safe, secure, and confident in your abilities to handle any situation and with business travel insurance you can do this.

If you don't travel often or you only travel once a year you can opt to purchase your business travel insurance for just one trip. All you have to do is disclose when you will be travelling, where you will be going, and when you will be returning. This is generally very affordable and will offer you the protection that you should have on your one trip. If you travel all the time for work you can choose to buy your business travel insurance for the whole year. While this is more expensive in the beginning, it is cheaper over the course of the year than it would be to purchase the coverage every time you go away on travel. Many times there are also different levels of coverage to choose from, so you can choose from very basic coverage to very extensive coverage, based on your needs. When you purchase the travel business insurance you may want to consider the areas that you travel to as well as what sort of coverage your other insurance coverage may provide as this information will help you determine what sort of coverage you need.

It used to be more difficult to buy travel insurance, and that is why many people simply opted not to do it. In many cases you had to go right to an insurance agent and you had to fill out a ton of paperwork, or you could go to a travel agent and do the same thing. Now, you can purchase your business travel insurance right along with your other travel needs such as but not limited to your event planning services, your car rental services, lodging, transportation, and airfare. This is very convenient and allows for those that didn't want to bother with the coverage before because of the hassle to purchase the benefits of travel insurance. Next time you receive notice that you have to travel for your job, why not look into travel business insurance and see what protection it can offer you? It's better to have the protection and not need it than need it and not have it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Corporate travel for people who book business trips from all continents Tel: 08700 490002 or +44 (0)1780 484824 visit http://www.jigsawconferences.co.uk/ or http://www.jigsawconferences.co.uk/Travel

Business Travel Insurance

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

10 tips when buying travel insurance

by Patrick Chong

Although perhaps not the most glamorous topic in the world, travel insurance is nonetheless an essential part of the holiday process. And unlike the fairly straightforward process of asking 'which hotel should I stay in?' getting the right travel insurance can be as confusing as it is frustrating!

This is, hopefully, where I come in. As the managing director of Insuremore I like to think I know a fair bit about the whole area. I've assembled this guide as something of a 'top 10 things to look out for' when purchasing travel insurance.

And the common question I get asked all the time is whether I think travel insurance is worth buying. Given my line of work, it's pretty inevitable that my answer will be 'yes' but the reason isn't just because of the extra money it will ensure I receive! Y'see it's true that the majority of people go on holiday, have a memorable time and come back without any ill consequences, but a small percentage of people will have an unexpected hospitalisation or find that their flights are cancelled. And believe me, in those instances trying to get help without travel insurance is not only expensive, but horribly stressful. Indeed, the best benefit of travel insurance is the peace of mind it gives the policy holder. A holiday should be about relaxation (or possibly getting your skin to become as lobster like as possible judging from recent case studies!) and how can you relax when you're constantly on the lookout for illnesses or injuries? I'm sure that even if you could have relaxed before reading this, you will be worried now! So without further ado:

1) Don't leave your travel insurance until the last minute

Okay, people don't like to spend money - especially immediately after dropping a load of cash on an expensive holiday, but not getting your travel insurance sorted out immediately can be a massive mistake as you miss out one of the key aspects of it - cancellation cover. Although you may think that there's no way you'll cancel, life is full of the unexpected, and we deal with people cancelling their holidays due to family emergencies everyday.

As your holiday gets closer and closer, the chances of you needing to cancel are heavily reduced, so you completely lose the benefit of part of your insurance if you don't sort it out nice and early.

2) Don't settle for single trip cover if you're going on holiday more than once

On the subject of single trip cover, is that really what you need? According to a 2004 study by Alliance & Leicester, 2/3rds of people plan to take two or more holidays a year. If you're in the majority here, then single trip insurance will not be the best priced option (unless you have a phenomenally good value insurance provider) and it's worth considering multi-trip or annual.

3) Your E111 health card alone will cost you for medical cover

Don't think that just because you have your E111 European health card you will be covered for free - that's a myth. You do need the card to show hospitals in the event of an emergency, but you will be charged by the country's private healthcare system. Make sure your travel insurance covers illness and injury!

4) Be honest about any medical conditions you have

On a similar note, make sure you tell your insurers of all your medical conditions even if they seem irrelevant - too much information is a good thing in this case, as not providing details could later invalidate any claims you need to make.

5) Get the right policy for your holiday

Just like how there are different holidays for different tastes, there are different policies for different people. If you're looking to go backpacking, skiing or mountain climbing, you're going to need to track down a policy specifically for these activities to ensure you're covered in the event of an accident.

6) Buy for the family and save

As I've already mentioned, there are different types of insurance for different cover - generally, companies offer single, multi trip, annual and family travel insurance policies. Predict how much you expect to be abroad and buy accordingly. If you are in a family, then it stands to reasons that family insurance is a good option - and some policies include the insurance of under-18s for free!

7) Know exactly what you're covered against

Cheap travel insurance may seem like a bargain - and there are plenty of legitimate companies offering cheap travel insurance out there - but make sure you go through the policy with a fine tooth comb to ensure you're not missing out on key coverage, such as cancellation and theft. As a rule of thumb, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

8) Check out the excesses on the policy

Actually, it's worth going through any travel insurance policy with a fine tooth comb - cheap or otherwise. The excesses on different policies can make a huge difference, and it's a good idea to find a policy with a lower or no excess on an area you think you are more likely to end up claiming on!

9) If you're under the influence, then you won't be covered

Sounds obvious, but we often get claims like this, so I'd best cover it: No travel insurance company will pay up on any accidents occurring while the policy holder is under the influence of alcohol or drugs - the policy is not there to allow you to behave more recklessly than you normally would!

10) Look for a company that covers against acts of terrorism for peace of mind

In the current climate, insurance against acts of terrorism is something we've found people to be calling out for, and sadly, most companies do not offer it as default with their policies. If I may be allowed a brief plug however, it is something that we at Insuremore include in our travel insurance packages for that extra peace of mind. If it is something that's worrying you, it is worth ensuring it is part of your policy.

About the Author
Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Journey's Travel. Their commercial travel insurance website, Insuremore offers cheap global travel insurance packages for families, singles, children and skiers with free cover against acts of terrorism and a quick and easy online claims feature.

10 tips when buying travel insurance

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Travel insurance - are you missing out?

by Chris Rowlands

Each year, thousands of British tourists suffer personal injury and theft when they travel abroad. Their losses run to many millions of pounds. Yet a large number do not have any form of insurance cover, leaving them to foot hospital bills and find the money to replace items such as digital cameras and camcorders.

Of course not much thought is given to these negative aspects when planning for and booking our holiday. Indeed, this is often the last thing on our minds.

By the time you remember to purchase travel insurance or at least recognise a need for it, you may be only day's away from the start of your holiday. It is all too easy at this point to purchase the first policy you come across with a decent price tag and sometimes even this goes out of the window in your haste.

So what should you think about when considering travel insurance? The first thing is to be careful when allowing your tour operator to package your holiday insurance alongside your other travel arrangements. More often than not such policies work out much more expensive this way.

You may also find that particular travel agencies/companies are affiliated with one insurer, so you will not receive a competitive quote on your policy, or it may not cover all your precise needs.

When searching for a travel insurance policy you should be careful to look for the features you require. A good policy should provide you with a minimum of £1m in personal injury or accident cover, baggage cover, theft cover, holiday cancellation cover and public liability cover in case you are sued by a third party.

Using a comparison website can allow you to search through many insurers at once. Indeed just spending 10-15 minutes trawling round a few websites yourself will return enough quotes to allow you to make an educated decision.

To many the main aim is to find a cheap travel insurance policy, whilst this is in theory a good idea and definitely advised if you want to save those pennies, you should never lose sight of the features you require.

Nine times out of 10 you will find that the cheapest quote has the minimum features you're looking for. But you should remember that sometimes it is best to increase the cover in certain areas. A good example being travel to the USA: look to increase the cover for personal injury from £1m to £2m, as hospital costs can literally bankrupt you.

Above all, travel insurance affords you peace of mind, the knowledge that you are covered should you fall victim to an accident or have your personal possessions stolen cannot be valued highly enough.

About the Author
Chris Rowlands is a UK-based author with experience within the financial sector, specialising on insurance topics.

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Travel insurance - are you missing out?

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Friday, October 12, 2007

Floods Cause Travel Chaos’...will my Travel Insurance Policy cover me?

Floods and delays on the roads, and at airports, have caused misery and chaos for thousands of holiday makers getting away for the first week of the school summer holidays. So are you covered if you take out a travel insurance policy?

Under most travel insurance policies, insurers will respond to claims for Delay and Abandonment as well as Missed Departure. Some insurers, such as Travelandinsure.com, provide cover for events beyond your control so if you have been delayed by the floods then the travel insurance will cover you for additional accommodation and travel expenses incurred to get you to your destination, so your holiday is not lost. Don’t forget to obtain a written report from the airline confirming the delay and a report from the police or breakdown service if your vehicle has been held up in the floods.

So, after the misery of rain soaked Britain, you will still be able to enjoy the holiday you have planned, albeit a little late and do spare a thought for those less fortunate back home as you are soaking up that Mediterranean sun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialise in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design

Floods Cause Travel Chaos’...will my Travel Insurance Policy cover me?

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Monday, October 8, 2007

Travel Insurance FAQ

by Terrell James

Travel Insurance is an essential part of any trip and is something that should not be put aside. Most soon-to-be travelers usually have heard about travel insurance, but might not know the specific reasons why they need travel insurance. This is an important article about frequently asked questions for travel insurance. This article also provides a link for further reading about travel insurance.

What is travel insurance protection?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers you financial for any losses or illness that may unfortunate occur while you is on your trip. Travel insurance can be bought for international or national (within your country) trips.

Why should I buy travel insurance?

Since travel insurance protects you while traveling, this will help and provide the necessary protection you will need in the occurrence of a unfortunate event. Any individual traveling anywhere without travel insurance will be in a dangerous situation if an accident occur.

What is the coverage for travel insurance?

Travel insurance should provide coverage for medical cost, transportation to a medical facility, and reimburse you for certain or some nonrefundable costs due to a interrupted trip, and financial loss of funds.

How much does travel insurance cost?

How much the cost of your travel insurance will be depends on your insurance company provider and their policy. The cost of travel insurance usually will range up to 12 percent of the cost of your vacation/trip.

Is travel insurance really important and how many people actually get paid for their claims? Travel insurance is highly recommended, there are usually about 10% of people who file claims. Sometimes some travelers make have taken a overly expensive trip that they would have to pay out of their own money if they have not bought travel insurance.

What is the medical care coverage?

When there is a case of illness or serious injury, medical transportation to an appropriate medical facility, and medical treatment will be covered. You should also have coverage for if it is deem necessary to bring you back home.

Does travel insurance cover business trips?

This will depend on the insurance company. Most insurance companies will provide travel insurance for a business trip, but the coverage may be separate from the standard coverage.

How long will travel insurance provide coverage for me?

You can often buy travel insurance starting from as little as two weeks, up to a year. Different insurance companies may vary with their service of coverage.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance coverage?

The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as possible before you go on your trip or vacation. You want your travel insurance active during your whole trip.

What will happen if my money is lost or stolen?

If you can not receive traveler checks replacements many insurance companies provide a service where a travel agent can arrange a money transfer or traveler check for you to receive. You will have to ask more about this to your travel insurance provider.

About the Author
Recently updated articles can be seen at AFB

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Travel Insurance FAQ

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Thursday, October 4, 2007

Travel Insurance and Roadside Assistance for Your Caravan Holiday

by Smith Chen

It is not until you break down that you realise just how much you really need insurance and roadside assistance. This is even more compounded when you are a long way from home on a holiday and you have no other way of getting anywhere or doing anything if your can or caravan has broken down.

You can not put a monetary price on your peace of mind. Insurance and roadside assistance provides that peace of mind when you are traveling so you can just enjoy your holiday.

Insurance

Before you take out your insurance, make sure you read and understand what is actually covered. Make sure it covers everything you need for the activities you have planned for your holiday and also covers the areas you intend to visit and stay. If you intend going off the beaten track, doubly make sure this is covered. Check out the "extras", including such items as a free car hire in the event of an accident and if this appeals to you it may be worth paying the little bit extra. Prices can vary quite significantly so shop around first.

Make sure your comprehensive insurance covers both your vehicle and caravan. The benefits are obvious: the loss of some personal items within a vehicle is covered, as is damage to the vehicle through theft, vandalism or accident. Perhaps the most important benefit is the peace of mind you will have knowing you are covered if you are unfortunate to need insurance.

Make sure you carry copies of your insurance policies with you when you are on the road.

Roadside Assistance

Many new motor vehicles are sold with a manufacturer's warranty that includes roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown. The warranty varies from one to three years or "X" number of kilometres, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Check your policy carefully before you go. Make sure it covers the kind of travel you intend and the places you want to go. Details of your roadside assistance package, including contact numbers, are usually contained in the glove-box folder.

If you are not buying a new vehicle and not covered as above with your existing vehicle or you do not think the warranty offered is suitable, you should consider becoming a member of your State based motoring organisation. Similar to your insurance and roadside assistance, you will only fully realise the benefit of becoming a member if you break down and need them. The State based organisations all offer reciprocal breakdown assistance around Australia.

Different levels of membership are offered, so check out what is most suitable to you. If you are planning to more adventurous activities you may wish to go for the top level cover, which in most areas offers unlimited service calls and free towing. Motoring organisations also offer travel advice and sell maps, guide and car accessories. Once you have used their services, you may decide that the membership fee was the best money you ever spent.

About the Author
Smith Chen is an author and internet marketing consultant.
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Travel Insurance and Roadside Assistance for Your Caravan Holiday

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Travel Health Insurance

by Paton Jackson

Travel health insurance is a type of insurance which provides health insurance coverage during traveling, usually in a foreign country. In this the insured pays an amount called the premium to the travel insurance company for the coverage.

The coverage usually provides coverage for medical costs incurred during travel and in some cases also covers medical evacuation.

Travel health insurance usually comes bundled up with trip interruption/cancellation insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage loss, emergency evacuation and medical expenses coverage. The usual premium is about 200$ annually. However the premium depends a lot on your age, cost of trip (for single trip insurance coverage), the distance of trip, the nation to which the trip is being made, any preexisting health conditions etc. Some travel health insurance plans also cover accidental deaths and flight accidental death.

The plans that cover the medical costs on your trip include medical expenses, dental expenses, cost of treatment and cost of medicines. These covers come attached with lot of conditions like if you take medicines from unconventional medical sources like acupuncturists or ayurvedic treatment, the costs will not be reimbursed.

However if you are already covered by a health insurance, it is prudent to check whether it covers outside the United States or whether it provides only for emergencies.

Medical Evacuation: travel health insurance provides for medical evacuation to nearest qualified medical health facility. Here the catch is nearest medical health facility and not to the US. So if you are traveling in an underdeveloped country, you may be forced to take medical treatment at a facility decided by the insurance company and is not decided by you. The treatment in the US is one of the best and other countries including Europe have a higher surgical mortality rate.

Repatriation of mortal remains. In case of death the travel health insurance company will bear the cost of returning the mortal remains of the insured.

There are other conditions like co-insurance, deductibles, exclusion, benefit period, pre-existing conditions etc which have to be carefully studied before buying a travel health insurance policy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
We offer the travel health insurance best source. Find all about travel insurance on the travel health insurance policy guide . http://www.lowcost-travel-insurance.info – Your place for travel insurance

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Travel Health Insurance

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