There are several ways to get travel insurance. Most major credit cards offer it
if you pay for a trip with their card; most travel agencies and airlines also offer
different insurance options. Here's a few things to consider:
1--> Standard coverage should include lost luggage, delays, cancellation of
travel, overseas medical and hospital expenses, and some form of
evacuation under hazardous conditions.
2--> If traveling internationally, do not pass through customs before
contacting the airlines about lost luggage. On some airlines, this will
void their liability.
3--> Look into the insurance company before you travel. One thing to make
sure of is a 24/7 hot-line available 365 days a year. Make sure you
have that number prominently written on your travel itinerary.
4--> If you travel a great deal, you might want to consider taking out an
annual travel insurance policy rather than many individual ones.
5--> Make sure that your policy covers damage done to camera, video or
computer equipment. Check to see if it is a replacement cost and if
there will be cash advances made during the trip to cover the loss.
6--> Ask what activities they consider "high risk" and what that means to
your coverage.
7--> Check to see if (and how) you will be compensated if missed
connections cause you to miss a special event.
8--> Double check the medical coverage for each of the countries you will be
traveling in, and through, so that if anything happens en route you are
still covered. Some insurance policies will offer "emergency reunion"
options, which sends a relative to wherever you are if you're
hospitalized.
9--> Make enquiries about how your travel insurance will cover you in case
of terrorist activities, including kidnapping.
10--> Ask if your insurance covers reimbursement if you need to cancel a trip
at the last minute due to terrorist acts in the country you are visiting or
because of travel alerts issued from the US State Department.
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