Insure Your Trip's Success

Experienced travelers know that any number of unexpected
mishaps can occur while on vacation -- ranging from minor
losses of personal belongings to serious medical
emergencies. Generally, you (the traveler) are responsible
for any additional costs incurred by these events, and in
some cases (i.e. medical evacuation, missed flights, etc.)
these costs can far exceed budgeted travel expenses.

Travel insurance is one way to protect yourself from these
financial losses. It can be purchased from travel insurance
companies, retail travel agencies, and tour companies. Costs
vary depending upon your age, and the amount and type of
coverage desired. Not all travel insurance companies are
created equal, thus it is very important to research options
carefully and read the fine print before purchasing a
policy.

Check to see that you are covered if you unexpectedly cancel
the trip, miss a flight/cruise ship, lose your baggage, or
if your tour company declares bankruptcy. It is also
possible that you do not need all of the coverage options a
plan offers. Check with your medical insurance and
homeowners/renters insurance regarding travel coverage,
noting their deductible compared to that of specific travel
insurance plans. In addition, consider the type of trip you
are planning. For example, you may want medical evacuation
coverage when traveling to remote destinations, but not when
visiting metropolitan areas.

Once you have determined the type and amount of coverage you
need, compare costs with www.insuremytrip.com. This site
offers side-by-side price comparisons of up to five
different travel companies simultaneously. Also, be sure to
check that the policy is underwritten by a company with a
strong rating before finalizing your purchase (rating
information is available at www.ambest.com).

Access America (www.accessamerica.com) and Travel Guard
(www.travelguard.com) are two strongly rated companies to
explore. You may want to point out these tips to your
renters. People look forward all year for a week at the
beach or on the slopes, so it is an investment in money and
vacation time.