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Find Travel
Insurance at TravelGuard
Travel Insurance
As much as it would be nice, just paying for the trip is not the only
monetary concern that is involved with modern travel. Perhaps your pet or house will need to be cared for while
you are gone, adding an extra expense to your trip. Then there is the souvenir shopping and extra activities to
enjoy while you are away. Another added expense is the insurance available to help protect your trip, both before
and during your travel.
What comes in varying shapes and sizes, has grown more popular over the last few years and--in our mind--is an
absolute necessity? It's travel insurance, of course. In this day and age, where planning travel months in advance
is often the norm, travel insurance can help put your mind at ease.
Trip Cancellation Insurance (TCI): One
of the most common insurance related to travel is Trip Cancellation (and Interruption) Insurance. These policies
are designed to protect you should you have to cancel your trip due to health reasons or a death in the immediate
family. They are most common on cruise vacations, where the whole cost is in one package. Should you not be able
to make or continue your vacation (due to a covered reason) the money you paid up-front would be refunded to you
by the insurance company. Be aware, though, that the coverage offered are all across the board--some policies are
extensive and should give you a sense of protection, others have so many exclusions that you need to nearly die
as you set foot on the cruise ship before they will cover you. The best policies are those that cover an inability
to take the trip due to illness or death in the family, delay and interruption coverage, as well as provisions
for such things as emergency medical care and lost or delayed baggage. The cost, like the coverage, can vary widely,
from 2% of the total vacation cost to 7% or more. The premium cost will be determined by such factors as the age
of the traveler and the type of travel to be covered.
Before you commit to any trip cancellation and interruption insurance, ask to see the policy brochure to determine
exactly what is--and is not--covered. We'd never take an expensive trip without having TCI coverage, but we always
insist on reviewing the particulars before we make the commitment. If what you see is not acceptable, find alternative
coverage.
You can find and compare various types of Travel Insurance at TravelGuard
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW):
When renting a vehicle, the collision damage waiver (and loss damage waiver) protect you should the vehicle become
damaged or stolen. It is important to note that if you have rented a car, have waived the CDW, and get involved
in an accident, the paperwork that you signed at the rental desk will make you responsible for ALL of the costs
of repairing the damage. Talk about a way to ruin a vacation! Although it can be an expensive proposition, waiving
the CDW may leave you potentially exposed.
- Do not simply assume that your auto insurer will cover you: they may
not.
- Do not assume that if you use your credit card to pay for the rental,
it will be covered. Some card issuers will cover the damage (after any other insurance coverage is exhausted) but
many more will not.
If you are planning a trip that involves any car rental (even if only
for an afternoon) check your insurance and potential credit card coverage before
you leave. Your insurance agent may not be reachable at 11:30
PM when you check in at the car rental desk!
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