New Type Of Travel Insurance For Independent Travellers

by Christian Ward

AXA launches new Independent Travellers insurance for growing market of 'go-it-alone' holiday makers.

Despite the increasing economic gloom, the holiday season is approaching and millions of Brits will be preparing to travel abroad over the summer months. But AXA warns that increasing numbers of people arranging their own holidays may be leaving themselves exposed despite taking out travel insurance.

Over the last few years the number of Independent Travellers has overtaken the number of Package Holiday Travellers. Internet access and low-cost airlines have helped escalate this trend in 2006 over 16 million Independent Travellers headed overseas for holidays between April and September*.

However, insurance provision has not kept pace with the changing profile of the British holidaymaker and Independent Travellers can find that there are gaps in their insurance cover which AXA are addressing with their Independent Travellers cover, available with AXA travel insurance from www.axa.co.uk/travelinsurance.

The new product is an optional extension which costs as little as an additional £10 for annual European cover. It covers travellers for a number of areas such as problems with flight cancellations or delays, missed connections or the customer being denied boarding.

With a package holiday, the tour operator or travel agent is legally required to make suitable alternative arrangements for such eventualities, but the independent traveller must make and pay for their own arrangements.

Edward Dutton, AXAs Personal Insurance Director said: We are aware from our own claims area that Independent Travellers have run into problems with their travel insurance and a recent report from Defaqto underlined the need for insurers to offer cover that helps customers when things go wrong the things that would normally be picked up by a tour operator or travel agent if it were a package holiday.

We believe that the rise of the Independent Traveller is something that all insurers should be addressing as the Ombudsman pointed out in his latest report. There is clearly a mismatch in what insurers intend to offer and the cover that consumers believe they are buying.

The additional cover offered by this optional extension includes:

* delayed departure compensation for delays exceeding 5 hours occurring at the departure point of any connecting flights or booked public transportation on both the outbound and return journeys

* cancellation costs if you cancel your trip, or additional expenses to reach your destination because your flight from the UK was cancelled, delayed for more than 5 hours or you were denied boarding due to the flight being overbooked

* additional accommodation and travel expenses if you are delayed and miss any onward connecting flights or other public transport

* irrecoverable unused accommodation costs or additional expenses if your trip is affected by insolvency of the providers, an outbreak of food poisoning or infectious disease or natural disasters such as fire, flood or earthquake

* Travel Trends 2006: based on 69.5 million visits abroad in 2006, 65% of which were for holidays = 45 million. Of these 63% were taken between April and September = 28 million. Independent Travellers account for 58% of holidays = 16 million.

About the Author
Christian is an author of several articles pertaining to Travel Insurance. He is known for his expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.

Business Travel Insurance

by Jigsaw Conference Venues

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

Travel Insurance - Gap Year And Backpacker Travel

by Jean Andrews

There are many hazards and dangers that gappers can encounter if they don't do their homework and plenty of research before setting off. Many of us wish we could blaze a trail across new frontiers, but the reality is that someone has already been there, done that, and got the tee shirt. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to network with those who've gone before you and take advantage of their knowledge.

Perhaps one of the most important tips is to thoroughly check out any company before paying money up front! Many of these companies may profess to be experts who can set up a complete overseas volunteering package for you. Some companies are legitimate, but others may not be. No matter how intrepid you think you are, you wouldn't really want to find yourself stuck in the jungle surrounded by malaria-ridden mosquitoes without a reliable lifeline or helping hand back to civilization. Would you?

I've researched and written blogs and articles about this subject in the past and the bottom line seems to be 'get the facts and then double check them, and then check again.' For many young people it will be their first time away from home alone - so having reliable and solid support is vital.

Gap Year travel has become the norm, and almost expected of any self-respecting student. However, it's not just students taking that year out these days. Many choose to take a gap year as a career-break, perhaps while switching careers mid life. Mature travellers have the time and money to set off on adventures and make up for what they missed out on when younger. No matter what age or what your plans are, the Internet is sure to play a big part in planning your gap year. It's a tremendous resource.

Taking a gap year wasn't always an option unless you came from a very wealthy family. Going back a few centuries, the young upper classes went on the Grand Tour of Europe as a rite of passage and part of their education. They were the first gap year travellers, but they were the privileged few. Our handsome princes, William and Harry, did their gap year volunteering and weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. I think we'd all agree they have turned into terrific young men.

A gap year could encompass volunteering in an overseas work program. Other options might include working in a ski resort or dude ranch, an exchange program, a language course or other course of study, or just taking off on a backpacking Odyssey. Whichever you choose, it's sure to be an eye-opening and character building look at other cultures. A large percentage of the volunteering opportunities will be in African countries, but there's a need for volunteers in many other parts of the world. Other popular destinations for gappers and backpackers include Peru, USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, South America and Chile.

Planning well ahead is essential, especially to ensure you get all the vaccinations you'll need for the countries you plan to visit. Make sure your passport has plenty of time left on it and apply for all the necessary visas. As you'll need to book long-haul flights in advance it's also important to purchase the right type of travel insurance - as well as coverage for any planned sporting activities.

Using the internet social networking sites makes it easy for travellers to stay in touch with family and loved ones and share experiences and photos online. I know it's not as fast as shooting an email through cyberspace but, personally, I still think it's nice to receive postcards from foreign places with the colourful native stamps. People don't have time for snail mail these days.

There doesn't seem to be a downside to taking a gap year. The best advice is to use the internet to research your destinations and arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. Read the reviews and tips provided by other travellers - they could help you avoid bad experiences - as well as share in the good ones. You can network with other travellers, find good value hostels and places to stay, get in on the best restaurant deals, and pick up useful backpacking tips.

I heard a good-natured gripe from a young woman who is off backpacking alone in Southeast Asia. She felt that she was just following the same route that thousands of others were on and her experiences were not worthwhile or special. Maybe she should stop worrying about being unique and just enjoy it and take advantage of the input and experiences of others. They learned their lessons the hard way so that she doesn't have to!

About the Author
Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for TIA Ltd who offer backpackers travel insurance.

Do I Really Need Travel Insurance In St. Thomas?

by Justin Burch

When planning your vacation to St. Thomas, you may want to consider whether or not travel insurance is a worthwhile investment. When making this decision, the most important aspect to consider is your personal level of risk. As part of a Caribbean vacation package, travel insurance would firstly protect your investment should any unforeseen events occur that prevent your travel, such as you or a family member are admitted to the hospital before your vacation, a car accident occurs en route to the airport, or a natural disaster takes place. However, there are several other aspects to take into account when considering travel insurance. Here are some travel tips to keep in mind when assembling your Caribbean vacation package.

As mentioned, trip cancellation / interruption (TCI) insurance can be very helpful if you have to cancel your vacation to St. Thomas. When you arrange your vacation package, you'll be given a list of accepted reasons for canceling, usually including those mentioned above. Keep in mind that TCI insurance doesn't allow you to alter your vacation plans because you changed your mind or have concerns about travel.

Travel insurance is probably a good idea if you are a senior or have a pre-existing medical condition, as special coverage options exist. Complicated itineraries, guided tours, multiple stops or cruises are also good candidates for insurance based on the possibility of missed connections or delays. Also, if you absolutely have to be in St. Thomas, insurance simply goes without question.

Many travelers are protected for certain contingencies under their medical, auto or homeowner’s insurance policies or through the benefits offered by some credit card providers. However, some coverage may not extend outside the country and could include deductibles. Hence, you will need to check the fine print of your existing policies and benefits and compare the coverage with your overall travel risks.

Two important types of insurance to consider for a vacation to St. Thomas, regardless of existing coverage, include supplier default insurance – to offset problems you might experience with tour operators or accommodations in St. Thomas – and emergency medical care / medical evacuation coverage.

On the surface, many policies may sound great, but specific airlines, accommodations, cruise lines, car rental companies or tour operators may not be covered. In fact, several large domestic airlines companies were stricken from some travel insurance plans when bankruptcies were filed.

Always remember, it is very important to read the fine print when shopping for travel insurance. Never make any assumptions about what your policy covers. Also, ask the agent questions about any scenario that may affect you to see if the coverage is what you need. If you are looking for specific contingencies in a travel insurance plan, many providers can sell add-ons to meet your needs.

You should also try to avoid buying travel insurance through a tour operator or cruise line. In the event that the tour company goes out of business or bankrupt, your insurance and money may go with it. Instead, use a reputable insurance provider with offices located in St. Thomas and committed 24/7 customer service. If you can’t find a company, ask your travel agent for a recommendation.

Avoid purchasing unnecessary travel insurance package perks, in many cases, additional coverage for luggage and rental cars is superfluous. Chances are your credit card provider or existing auto insurance policy offer at least collision coverage for auto rentals. Additionally, most airline companies offer up to $2,500 of luggage liability per passenger for lost or damaged items.

As you will traveling outside of the United States, the necessity for some type of travel insurance is certainly more pressing than it may be for a domestic vacation. You will need to determine what your overall risk is when traveling to St. Thomas and weigh that risk against the cost of travel insurance. Generally speaking, more extensive insurance policies – protecting your airfare, accommodations, health and personal belongings – add about 5-10% onto the cost of your vacation. When abroad, 5-10% can be a small price to pay for security and piece of mind.

About the Author
Justin writes select pieces about travel in Caribbean for the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort