Generation Y have more need for travel insurance

A new generation of adults currently entering into the workforce will travel a lot more over the next two years than their predecessors, it has been suggested.

According to annual travel insurance provider American Express, this so-called Generation Y has been joining the adult population over the past four to five years.

Speaking at the 2009 Passenger Terminal Expo in London last week, Avinash Lalwani, of the holiday insurance provider, said: "This is a very technologically savvy generation who are very educated and knowledgeable about things that are happening around the world."

Even though they spend more time connected to online social networks, Mr Lalwani claimed that they will also travel more and are likely to be environmentally conscious.

People attending the Passenger Terminal Expo saw the latest innovations for the airport industry, as well as hearing leading aviation authorities speak on a range of important issues.

AeroMexico jumps into medical tourism

AeroMexico, which recently launched flights from Albuquerque to Chihuahua City, has formed a partnership with the Medical Tourism Association to help patients traveling to Latin America for medical treatment.

The Medical Tourism Association projects demand among U.S. residents for medical treatment (including elective surgery) in other countries will quadruple from 1.5 million patients in 2008 to 6 million in 2010 as consumers, health insurers and employers seek medical care that is not available here or not as affordable.

By 2017, as many as 23 million Americans could be traveling internationally and spending $79.5 billion per year for medical care, according to “Deloitte Report, Medical Tourism: Consumers in Search of Value.”

Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Medical Tourism Association, said Latin America is poised to become one of the top destinations for medical tourism for U.S. residents.

The Association has designated AeroMexico as the preferred airline for patients of its medical providers in Latin America. These patients are seeking a variety of services, from medical and dental care to cosmetic surgery.

These customers and their travel companions will be eligible for special travel packages through the airline’s designated travel wholesalers, as well as the AeroMexico and Medical Tourism Association Web sites.

The Association cited AeroMexico’s service and its large number of non-stop flights from the U.S. to Mexico City, offering connecting service to other destinations in Latin America.

The Medical Tourism Association is a nonprofit made up of international hospitals, health care providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies and affiliated companies.

It is partnering with AeroMexico to support the Latin America Medical Tourism and Health Tourism Congress April 27 to 29 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Medical Tourism

With rising healthcare and insurance costs, many Americans simply do without either. This is all well and good until a serious medical need comes along. Taking clues from corporations who outsource labor, US citizens are finding help abroad.

The world is full of fine surgeons and medical practitioners and anyone who has been at the mercy of an HMO knows that the service doesn’t mean that you’ll have a truly ‘personal’ physician and care. Traveling to meet health care needs without losing everything you own is a practical, viable, even brilliant alternative.

According to FierceHealthcare:

“Many upper/middle class and poor Americans can not afford a $250,000 heart surgery but would be more likely to afford a $23,000 heart procedure. The same goes for a $40,000 hip or knee replacement but are likely to afford a $7,500 hip or knee replacement. Another big area of treatment that AMO could assist in is with the 14 people that die every day because they did not receive an organ transplant.”

Even people with insurance may opt for travel abroad since their insurance co-pay often exceeds the full cost of procedures performed outside of the US. MedFund-USA is among the many medical tourism services that have assistance for those without resources.

A dramatically growing number of uninsured and underinsured U.S. patients are traveling to countries with high-quality hospitals and staffs that offer services at costs often significantly lower than those available in the U.S. Heart by-pass surgeries by highly trained surgeons in India may cost only $10,000 as opposed to $130,000 in the U.S. (TIME, “Outsourcing your heart”, May 21, 2006). Similarly, high quality hip replacements, and other major medical procedures can also cost far less in… (worldmedassist)

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from: trendhunter.com

Importance of travel cover increases as airlines struggle

www.essentialtravel.co.uk

Travellers who take advantage of deeply-discounted air fares being offered during the recession are being urged by EssentialTravel.co.uk to ensure they have adequate travel cover.

The travel insurance specialist’s director, Stuart Bensusan, said that the airline industry is in financial trouble, seen in the “vicious cycle of falling passenger numbers and falling air fares.”

According to the company, airline casualties are to be expected, with some carriers collapsing and leaving those passengers with no or inadequate travel insurance potentially stranded overseas.

Bensusan is advising travellers to review the stipulations in their policies carefully, explaining that “most insurers offer cover for chartered airline collapse, but very few cover in the event of scheduled airline failure. This is despite the fact scheduled airlines make up the bulk of all flights in and out of British airports.”

In other travel insurance news, UK travellers to other EEC countries have been reminded by the Department of Health (DoH) that 3.3 million European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will expire by the end of this month.

The EHIC providers holders with free access to essential medical care, although the DoH advises travellers to EEC countries that they should carry additional travel insurance.

The EHIC can be renewed by phone or online up to six months before its expiry date.

Thanks to www.insurancedaily.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.essentialtravel.co.uk

Insurance policy can help protect dream vacation

Travel insurance is a particularly hot topic these days because of the economy.

In addition to all of the regular things that can go wrong before and during a vacation -- your child is unexpectedly hospitalized before departure, you miss your cruise because of a canceled flight, you break your leg in some distant locale -- travelers need to be more concerned than normal about the possibility that the company providing their trip might go bankrupt.

They also need to be concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs and not being able to afford to go away. Depending on the policy they purchase, both of those circumstances can be covered.

However, considering the odds that any of these things will happen, should you buy travel insurance for your next vacation even though it will add to the cost of your trip, and you might never use it?

Before you answer, ask yourself two other questions: Can I afford to lose the money I paid for my vacation? And can I afford to pay potentially huge, unexpected expenses during my trip?

Travelers looking for coverage can buy a cancellation waiver or insurance. According to Margaret Richcreek, owner of Richcreek Vacation Center in Lower Paxton Twp., waivers cover trip cancellations but don't provide any coverage during the trip, while insurance covers travelers before and during their travels.

Coverage can be purchased through a travel supplier -- such as a cruise line or tour operator -- or from an insurance company. Either can be purchased through a travel agent.

The cost of cancellation waivers and insurance can vary greatly from one company to another. Tour operators generally charge a flat rate for their coverage, no matter what the price of the trip, and it's usually cheaper than buying it from insurance companies, which charge based on the cost of the trip and the policy holder's age.

However, the tour companies' coverage is not as comprehensive as that from an insurance company.

Richcreek has found that insurance sold by cruise lines is generally more expensive than buying coverage from an insurance company.

Richcreek sells policies offered by Travel Insured International, whose least expensive policy includes coverage for trip cancellation (though not for any reason), trip interruption, missed flight connections, baggage and personal effects, baggage delay, terrorism, emergency accident and medical expenses, emergency evacuation and transport of remains.

The company's most expensive policy offers higher coverage amounts for most of those problems along with additional coverage for preexisting medical conditions, financial default, accidental death and dismemberment.

For all four levels of the company's coverage, policy holders can buy optional protection that allows them to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure and receive a 75 percent refund of nonrefundable costs.

Because there are so many different companies offering so many different policies, how do you select the one that will give you the best coverage at the lowest price? Next week, we'll discuss factors to consider when making your decision.

Annette Reiff is a certified travel counselor and a former travel agent. An experienced traveler, she has written on a range of travel topics. Reiff can be reached at alr@paonline.com.

Trip insurance for those who fear layoffs

Plain Dealer Reporter

Is the nightmarish possibility of being laid off keeping you from taking the vacation of your dreams?

Several travel companies are hoping to allay your fears -- and then wish you bon voyage.

Cruise retailer CruiseOne, with several locations in Northeast Ohio, recently added job-loss coverage to its basic travel insurance policy. If you get laid off, you can cancel the cruise with no penalty -- provided you've purchased the insurance, the price of which varies by the cost of the cruise but starts at $35.

"You wouldn't think something so simple could make such a difference," said Becky Piper, who runs a CruiseOne franchise out of her Strongsville home. "My sales have skyrocketed."

"Everyone is just so fearful," she said. "They don't want to make plans for six months from now if they think they might not have a job."

To qualify for the policy, which is administered by Travel Guard, you must have been employed for a year. Information: cruiseone.com.

Ecruises.com, an online travel agency specializing in cruises, also offers job-loss protection through its basic travel insurance policy; and Ecruises is picking up the cost of the insurance.

Norwegian Cruise Line also recently added job-loss insurance to its travel insurance plan for sailings in May and beyond. Prices start at $29, depending on the fare. Information: ncl.com.

A bed-and-breakfast in Vermont is offering six free two-night getaways to people who have been unemployed for more than six months. Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, on the New Hampshire border near St. Johnsbury, will offer a two-night freebie, dubbed the Pink Slip Getaway Giveaway, each month in April through July and again in November and December. Send a letter or e-mail by Monday, June 1, explaining your story in a page or less: Box 55, Lower Waterford Road, Lower Waterford, VT 05848 or info@rabbithillinn. com.

Ohio's two CoCo Key water parks, in Newark and Cincinnati, are offering a price break to workers who have been forced to take unpaid time off. For $119, a family of four can spend a night at either resort, which includes two full days of water-park passes. Information: cherryvalleylodge.com or sheraton.com/cincinnatinorth.

Deal of the week

Vacations are supposed to be good for your health, but what happens when you face a medical emergency in the middle of a trip?

In Natasha Richardson's tragic case, a fall on a beginner's slope at a Canadian ski resort was deadly. But many other vacationers have suffered heart attacks, strokes, car crashes or other accidental injuries. Last month, several cruise passengers on an excursion in the Caribbean were seriously hurt when the bus they were riding in lost control and veered into a ditch. Nearly a dozen people were airlifted to a Miami hospital for treatment.

Richardson, unfortunately, was not airlifted immediately and the hours spent in an ambulance driving from hospital to hospital may have delayed critical care. The luxurious Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec is several hours from a major medical facility.

But whether you're traveling to a distant region of Africa, on a cruise ship to Bermuda or across country on a road trip, experts say you need to be prepared for health emergencies. One way is to purchase travel medical coverage.

Jim Grace, president of insuremytrip.com, says having such insurance is like having a health-care advocate along on your trip. "You're going to want to have someone back at home saying we're going to take you to this hospital for the best care," said Grace. "They will help manage your care in countries where you don't speak the language," he said.

Insuremytrip.com offers coverage from more than a hundred different travel insurance providers. Travel medical insurance can be an upgrade to normal travel insurance policies or it can be purchased separately. In addition, travelers can add on medical evacuation coverage, which will pay to airlift you to the hospital of your choice. It's a good investment in peace of mind.

"It's a very scary thing for people, especially when traveling, if they're ever injured," Grace said.

Travel Insurance

Traveling is definitely fun, and it can never get better with having a peace of mind as you go on with the trip knowing that you will be well taken care of in case accidents, medical emergencies or other unforeseen events happen; and this is the reason why travel insurance have become so necessary nowadays.

Health insurance cover as part of your travel insurance while traveling have often been forgotten and/or taken for granted in the past. Imagine getting sick or injured during a business trip or family vacation and not having enough money with you to cover your medical expenses on foreign soil! These traumatic events could really be a burden on anyone’s part and make the whole trip a painful experience.

Getting the most suitable travel insurance that is also affordable is the answer to avoid these dilemmas. The question that most people ask is the extent of the travel insurance that we purchase? Pre-existing conditions set limits and restrictions to your coverage, it is always better to check your travel insurance limitations because these vary from plan to plan.

Some plans do not provide coverage for diagnosed conditions before departure; others do provide coverage but on a more limited basis. Other pre-set limits that may not be covered are the following: engagement in high risk sports, injuries caused by incidence of wars, countries not on the list of the insurer, self-inflicted injuries or suicide, and substance or alcohol related treatments.

The most important aspect one shouldn’t miss is the emergency medical insurance coverage. The complications brought about by medical emergencies in foreign places can be terrible, consider the high costs for medical treatments, language barriers, and uncertainties of facilities. Traveling to distant places knowing that you can always have security in medical emergencies and situations will give you the complacency that you deserve.

Travel insurance can provide you with global coverage for certain countries for a minimum period of one days, up to one year. Coverage of plans usually include services like emergency medical care in a hospital, prescribed medications, laboratory work ups for diagnostic purposes, dental services and ambulance air flights. When going out of the country, it is better to bring your medical records with you. An evacuation policy is advisable if you have an existing serious medical condition.

So the next time you travel remember to get yours too. If you’re unsure drop me an email and ask for more details.

How to Locate a Cheap Travel Insurance

This article contains all the fundamental facts about cheap travel insurance and hopes to cater to your need of finding information about this subject matter. This article is all about the way to make you more and more about cheap travel insurance. If you have any interest in this subject matter, do not waste your time and continue with this article.

When you are in search of cheap travel insurance, you will go to a lot of places to find the best deal that will save you heaps of money and still cover everything you need.

If you haven’t yet found that best place, you should begin by looking at the Internet, which is predominant with companies waiting to give you that best arrangement for your vacation to save you a bunch of money on your travel insurance. They want you to save money so that you can come back and get you cheap travel insurance from them next time you go for a trip.

Customer service is a big part of any travel insurance company and it is no different for Internet-based companies. They have call centers that are open 24 hours a day and they will always be happy to answer your request.

You may have to pay a small charge in excess of your total to make a claim, so you should look around to see which company has a cheap travel insurance and a better deal. Some companies will charge you $200 to make a claim while others will only charge $50, so you should always keep an eye out for the lowest price.

The claim at the beginning that this piece of writing would surely prove to be different from others that you find on the net and now when you are reading this article about cheap travel insurance, it is now for you to decide if the claim was right or not.

Getting a cheap travel insurance does not mean that you will be missing out on anything; you will still get the best coverage they offer, just at a cheaper price. The competition for giving cheap travel insurance is vicious and competitive, so providing the cheap travel insurance and getting previous customers to put the word of mouth out will bring in more customers in the long run.

A cheap travel insurance company will not necessarily give you the worst customer service. In fact, it could be the exact opposite. They could be a new company trying to get some new customers or they could be an old company that has seen a decline in customers. Whatever reason, the low rate will benefit the consumer and that means you can enjoy cheap travel insurance without losing any of the perks you might receive at a more expensive provider.

There can never be an end to learning. This article about cheap travel insurance was just a beginning to a long journey. And your success would rely on how much badly you take this journey to be.

Why Wales is the perfect holiday destination this year

More and more people are choosing not to go abroad for their holidays this year, but are instead choosing to stay at home and avoid the cost and stress of travelling. The credit crunch has affected a lot of people and many are finding themselves short of money to spend on luxuries such as holidays. The recession combined with the current strength of the euro against the pound, means it’s not surprising that the number of UK holidaymakers choosing to visit traditionally popular European destinations like Spain and Portugal has fallen.

In fact, according to recent figures released by the European Commission 48 per cent of Europeans intend to spend their holidays in their own countries this year, a figure which i five per cent higher than in 2008. Those still planning to travel abroad are spending much more time shopping around for the cheapest deals, and booking in advance on the internet to save on cost.

The credit crunch may be bad news for tourism in Spain, but for UK destinations like Wales it could be just the boost they’ve been waiting for. Not only are a lot of UK holidaymakers looking at destinations closer to home this year, but the weak pound could bring in more visitors from mainland Europe as well.

Wales is the perfect destination in the UK with a huge variety of things to see and do and places to stay, from hotels to camping to rented flats and holiday cottages. The scenery is abolutely stunning, from the world famous mountains and valleys to the beautiful coastline which has been given no less than 43 blue flag awards for water quality, cleanliness and safety. There is no shortage of options for walking, exploring or activity holidays, including abseiling, water sports and ‘coasteering’ right along the stunning coast. So if you’re looking for a UK destination this summer whether you’re planning a family holiday, romantic getaway or a short break Wales could be the choice for you.

The Benefits of Getting hold of Trip Travel Insurance

Are you planning a trip abroad? If so you should look into securing a trip travel insurance policy to protect yourself, and your family. Several things can go wrong when you are on vacation or even before leave. It?s imperative to be aware of the kind of costs that can be incurred while traveling, which could be deterred by having an insurance policy

This is when it is reasonable to acquire travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover anything from trip cancellation to the cost of medical care while abroad.All insurance companies are not the same so it pays to learn before making your purchase.

Several travel insurance policies propose as normal coverage- trip cancellation, or delays, medical and dental treatment, medical emergencies including evacuation and transport to home, lost luggage, emergency transportation and accidental death.
Most insurance policies contain exclusions that rule out coverage of certain situations. The will exclusions are unlike from policy to policy.

There are innumerable events that are by no means covered by travel insurance policies, under any conditions. It is important to be aware of this before travelling. These events are war (even though most policies will cover for terrorists attacks), disruption to your trip because of business or contractual commitments, and mental or nervous disorders.

There are countless types of insurance related to travel that you may not need as you are in all likelihood covered by other sources. Thus, you’d be buying double coverage. You may not need flight insurance since your term life insurance will possibly cover accidental death and your medical insurance will likely cover any accident that occurs in flight. Similarly, accidental death insurance is possibly a duplicate of any life insurance you might have. Also forget the collision damage waiver at the car rental counter because its a duplicate of your auto insurance.

Those who are searching for a cheap travel insurance can find it here:

How to Locate a Cheap Travel Insurance

American Express Wins Trial on Insurance Overcharge Claims

By Bob Van Voris and Karen Gullo

March 27 (Bloomberg) -- American Express Co., the largest credit-card company by purchases, won a trial in California in a case claiming customers were charged hundreds of millions of dollars for travel insurance that was never provided.

California Superior Court Judge George Hernandez in Fremont ruled in favor of American Express yesterday after hearing evidence from a class of cardholders in the second phase of a non-jury trial that began Jan. 12. Hernandez found that the cardholders failed to prove their case, ending the trial before American Express was to begin presenting evidence.

Suing cardholders claimed New York-based American Express overbilled for travel insurance premiums and failed to refund the fees when customers canceled flights, in violation of California and New York unfair business practices laws.

The cardholders had asked Hernandez to rule that American Express failed to clearly show how customers could reclaim insurance premiums and shouldn’t be allowed to keep the fees.

The lawsuit was filed in 2001 on behalf of 6 million current and former American Express cardholders who purchased fee-based travel-related insurance plans from September 1995 to February 2008.

American Express charged for insurance on all airline- related transactions above $45, such as itinerary changes, baggage fees and seat upgrades, when it should have charged the fees only for airfare purchases, according to the complaint.

In the first phase of the trial, which began Nov. 3, Hernandez ruled on disputed contracts and the meaning of contract terms in the case.

The case is Hoffman v. American Express Travel Related Services, 022881, Alameda County Superior Court (Fremont, California).

To contact the reporter on this story: Bob Van Voris in New York at rvanvoris@bloomberg.net; Karen Gullo in San Francisco at kgullo@bloomberg.net.

Medical treatments insurers won’t touch

BrainYou’d be surprised what medical conditions can be cured if you have the time and money to travel the world. There are some procedures for the terminally ill that health insurers in the United States won’t touch – even if some of these treatments are widely accepted overseas. We went out looking for medical treatments that will likely be denied by health insurers in the United States but can be obtained by those with big bank accounts who travel overseas. Here’s a sample of what we found:

1. Surgery to cure diabetes: A procedure to cure Type II diabetes has been successful in sending it into extended remission. It’s in clinical trials in the United States.
2. Migraine management: In Spain, you can stop the pain of severe chronic migraines through an electrode implant that zaps your nerves with electric pulses to block the pain.
3. Fixing spine injuries: In Portugal, you can undergo a surgery for spinal cord injuries that involves transplanting nasal cavity nerves (you heard right) to the injured area of the spine where they repair the injury.
4. Stem cell treatment: This can treat a crushed spinal cord, cancer, Type I diabetes and muscle damage. It’s available in China, Denmark, Iceland, India, Italy, Korea, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
5. Bone marrow transplant: Has been known to cure breast and ovarian cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and brain tumors.

We’ve got strategies for getting your insurance company to pay for some of these treatments. To learn more, read about medical treatments insurers won’t touch. To learn more, read medical treatments insurers won’t touch.

Travel insurance alert as airline industry struggles

EssentialTravel.co.uk is urging travellers taking advantage of bargain-basement air fares to make sure they have adequate travel insurance in place.

According to the travel insurance specialist, the airline industry is in trouble, suffering from what the firm’s director, Stuart Bensusan, describes as a “vicious cycle of falling passenger numbers and falling air fares”.

Mr Bensusan expects casualties, with airlines going bust and holidaymakers with no travel insurance therefore run the risk of being stranded overseas with no comeback or compensation.

He also advises travellers who do take out cover to check the policy small print, explaining “most insurers offer cover for chartered airline collapse, but very few cover in the event of scheduled airline failure. This is despite the fact scheduled airlines make up the bulk of all flights in and out of British airports”.

In related news, the Department of Health (DoH) is reminding UK travellers to other EEC countries that 3.3 million European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will have expired by the end of March.

The card allows free access to essential medical care, although the DoH advises UK residents holidaying in Europe to take out additional travel insurance.

The EHIC can be renewed online or over the phone up to six months in advance of expiry.

Your trip protection coverage may not be bona fide insurance

Fred Zemble suffered a major heart attack on a cruise ship last year, was rushed to a hospital in a foreign country, then airlifted back to South Florida for treatment. He figured his travel insurance would pay the bills.

About $33,000 later, Zemble and his wife learned the truth: the company that issued their coverage went out of business in January and, so far, has paid none of their medical expenses.

The carrier was Prime Travel Protection Services, which never was licensed as an insurance provider in Florida or its home state of Colorado. The Zembles got the plan from their travel agent.

Travel professionals have been selling such coverage for years, often as part of cruise package that bundles port charges and other fees.
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In a recession, tiny micro-hotels may be a good fit for shrunken travel budgets

As state regulators continue to investigate Prime Travel, questions are being raised as to whether policies sold as "travel protection" in some cases are unlicensed trip insurance. Insurance officials also are examining if travel agents are breaking the law if they are peddling unauthorized coverage or selling insurance products without a state insurance license.

Either practice could lead to criminal charges under state law, said Jayme O'Rourke, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Financial Services. At least three Florida travel agencies were ordered to stop selling Prime Travel products by state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink earlier this month.

Consumers can be understandably puzzled about trip protection vs. trip insurance, as the travel industry uses the terms interchangeably.

. "It can get confusing," said Bob Chambers, director of operations for San Diego-based CSA Travel Protection --which is licensed to provide travel insurance. "But agents have a duty to their clients that what they are selling is what it's represented to be."

Cruise lines and tour operators sometimes will offer their own waiver or "protection" packages, Chambers said, which are legitimate but not insurance. These waiver programs usually reimburse for trip cancellations under certain circumstances, with claims paid or credit given through the tour or cruise company.

But waiver coverage usually doesn't pay for medical emergencies, cancellation due to weather events, and won't reimburse if the company goes out of business, Chambers said. Trip insurance, typically bought through a third-party carrier, is far more inclusive and regulated. State officials require trip insurance coverage to be underwritten, to assure claims will be paid.

As far as the state is concerned: Any product providing "insurance-like coverage" will be regulated as insurance, regardless if it's called trip "protection" or anything else, O'Rourke said. And travel agents who sell unauthorized insurance policies can be liable for unpaid claims, the department said.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued a cease and desist order against Prime Travel and its affiliates last week, which said the company was an unauthorized insurer and had no underwriting, instead paying claims directly from the company's funds.

The two Colorado telephone numbers for Prime Travel have been disconnected.

Trip protection holders contacted by the Sun-Sentinel, most of them senior citizens, had gotten their coverage through their travel agents.

"My travel agents told me they were not at fault at all... that they sold it in good faith," said Ann Zemble, 82, who bought her December cruise on the Queen Mary from J.B. Cruises in Boynton Beach. Her husband's uncovered emergency medical costs mounted so quickly that the Delray Beach couple maxed out their credit card in 24 hours, and their son had to pay the air ambulance in order to get Fred back to his doctors.

J.B. owner Janice Oliveira said she isn't responsible for Prime Travel's claims because she never got compensated for selling its products, and is not an employee or sales agent. But she said that similar protection plans have been sold by travel agencies for years, and that the industry needs clarification from state insurance officials about its responsibility.

At least two of the travel agencies ordered to stop selling Prime had previously offered plans from the Tennessee-based firm Trip Assured.

One of the two, the Vacation Network of Port St. Lucie, doing business as Best Price Cruises, was sued by an Orlando-area man six years ago when Trip Assured refused to pay a claim.

Mark Golden, whose 93-year-old mother died before she could take her cruise, said the agency settled his claim for $5,000 before the case went to court. Best Price Cruises did not return telephone calls.

Smartcruiser.com, the second agency notified by Sink, offered "trip insurance" benefits from Trip Assured, according to archived Web sites from 2003 through 2005. Lee Smolinski, CEO of Boca Raton-based Smartcruiser, referred inquires to his attorney, Dan Newman, who said: "We've heard of the company but we can't talk about Trip Assured. My clients don't believe they did anything improper and were in compliance with the law."

Trip Assured's vice president at the time was Jerry Watson -- who later became the president of Prime Travel. Watson did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

Trip Assured, which never was licensed in Florida and order to stop doing business here and in several other states by insurance regulators in 2006, no longer is operating, Tennessee insurance officials said. A telephone number for the company was disconnected.

Sheryl Rose, of Coconut Creek, said she paid a South Florida cruise specialist about $270 extra for "insurance" from Trip Assured in 2002. She had to cancel the trip because her husband's leg was amputated due to complications from diabetes. She said she could get no help from Trip Assured or the Plantation-based travel agency.

"They charged us a lot of money and acted like we were in the wrong," Rose said.

Tips to evaluatae travel insurance offers

TRIP INSURANCE TIPS ƒz Understand what you are buying. Are you covered if you need emergency medical care, if the travel provider goes out of business, if there are delays or cancellations due to weather, if your bags or personal items are lost?

Travel insurance companies must be licensed by the state. Call 877-693-5236 or go to www.myfloridacfo.com.

Make sure your insurer is backed by a legitimate underwriter with a good rating by A.M. Best. Go to: www.ambest.com.

Check your own medical policies, and coverage by your credit cards and airlines to make sure you aren't buying duplicate coverage.

To reduce risk, buy from a reliable third-party carrier on your own, rather than through an agent or cruise line.

If emergency medical coverage is your primary concern, understand exactly what the policy covers and what is considered a pre-existing condition.

Holidayextras.com urge travellers to check and renew health cards

Around 3.3 million travellers will hold out-of-date European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) by the end of March this year without knowing, according to a new survey.

The Department of Health is urging holiday-makers to check and renew their EHICs before they travel after their recent poll showed that nearly three in five people claim to have an EHIC, but 68 per cent don’t know when it expires.

Holders of out-of-date EHICs will have to pay for medical treatment themselves or claim on their travel insurance. A valid EHIC entitles British travellers to reduced cost or free healthcare in most European countries.

The Department of Health research also reveals that almost half of British travellers have become ill or injured on holiday, and 35 per cent of these have delayed treatment until they return home due to fears about the cost.
Speaking for the Department of Health campaign, Dr Hilary Jones, GMTV’s resident GP, says: "I’m concerned that so many holiday-makers are needlessly putting their health at risk, when a valid EHIC will provide them with access to reduced cost or even free treatment. By delaying treatment until you return home, you are potentially allowing a condition to worsen in the meantime...
"If you’re travelling in Europe, it is vital that you carry a valid EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance. The last thing you want to be thinking about when you’re on holiday is paying unnecessary medical bills, which could cost thousands of pounds. The EHIC card will give you peace of mind that you’ll be looked after if something does go wrong - but only if it is in date. Check your EHIC now to ensure it has not expired - it’s quick and easy to apply for a new card"

To renew or obtain an EHIC, log on to http://www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad or call 0845 606 2030. For further information call the EHIC enquiries line on 0845 605 0707.

Holiday Extras offers a range of comprehensive and competitively-priced travel insurance policies. Go to holidayextras.com to find your annual, single trip, winter sports, business or golf travel cover.

To book travel insurance visit www.holidayextras.com or call 0871 360 2186

Despite the bewildering array of paperwork, forms, documentation and general risk to job and sanity, many teachers are willing to organise school trip

If you have never organised one before, then it can be quite a daunting prospect. We spoke to one teacher who has arranged a number of successful ski trips (as risks go, these trips are right up there) and we thought it might be useful to pass on his advice. The following suggestions are tailored specifically for a school ski trip though much of the paperwork and ideas apply to any group outing involving children This will not be an exhaustive list, but it represents a lot of what needs to be covered.

Use a recommended travel firm
Speak to friends and colleagues about firms they have used before. These companies take the headache out of searching for flight times, dates and locations and have their own reps both abroad and at home who help out. They should also have comprehensive processes and documentation in place which take some of the responsibility off the organiser.

Choose your destination carefully
Depending on the age of the kids, the chances are they will be let out in groups of three or four to do their own thing for a couple of hours a day. Choose a destination with minimum traffic where pupils can move around safely and that has shops and amenities which are within walking distance of your accommodation.

Documentation you will need
This is the really tedious part. The list below is an outline of the minimum documentation which you will require:

• Travel insurance policy – details of the policy and who to contact in the event of a serious accident.
• Risk Assessment (yours) – outline all potential risks and mitigating actions which you propose to take.
• Risk Management System (the travel firm’s) – your travel company should have documentation regarding their own risk mitigation.
• Parent/guardian contact details – this is vital for medical emergencies as well as the numerous other reasons you might need to contact them.
• Medical details – each child’s parents need to provide details of allergies, family doctor, medical conditions, whether the child can be given paracetamol or not, and they must agree to any treatment which medical professionals in situ recommend. Pre-existing conditions must be declared to the insurance company beforehand - usually by the parent.
• Passport – each child will need a valid passport. Ensure that the nationality of the child allows them entry to the destination country without a visa. Staff should have a record of all passport numbers, expiry dates etc. Note as well, that some countries (like the US for example) require the passport to have a minimum of six months validity in order to stay in the country.
• Communication chain – if there is going to be a serious delay, calling a large number of parents from abroad is expensive and time consuming. Ensure that colleagues in the UK can be called and are each responsible for contacting a set number of parents.
• Code of conduct – expected standards of behaviour should be defined and the penalties for transgression of the rules outlined. These should be signed by pupils and counter-signed by parents.
• Photographs – each pupil should bring two photos. One for the ski pass and one to distribute to the authorities should a child go missing.
• Tickets and travel documents – get the tickets in a timely manner so that any errors can be corrected. Ensure that you have supplied the names that are on the passports. For example “James” is different to “Jamie”. Pupils are sometimes called by a perfectly sensible-sounding first name which actually turns out to be a middle name.
• Disclaimers – some activities will require pupils’ parents or guardians to sign a disclaimer.

Medical needs
Parents of a pupil with a pre-existing condition need to be consulted before the child can be accepted on the trip. Severe diabetes, for example, can be difficult to manage, and the unexpected exertions and calorie-burn for the novice skier can cause problems for even children who are good at managing their condition. Any teacher organising a ski trip should take the following to dispense to those who have forgotten/lost their own supplies:

• High factor suncream
• After-sun
• Lip salves
• Paracetamol
• Sick bags (pupils prone to sickness should bring pills)
• Travel wipes
• Plasters

Travelling
Pupils travelling abroad together tend to be an excitable bunch and moving a large group through a busy airport is tough. A ratio of one adult to ten pupils is generally the legal minimum though the teacher we spoke to says he prefers one to eight.

The pupils should be divided up equally between the staff and then move, check-in and clear security as individual groups. It is quicker, more efficient and pupils are more easily accounted for.

Airport security can be difficult with children and it must be impressed upon them that jokes and flippant comments can potentially cause serious consequences. They should also all be made aware in advance of what can and can’t be taken through security. The rules on liquids in particular mean that many pupils have their toiletries confiscated. See article Fluid dynamics - the rules about taking liquids through security.

Injuries
The major worry for teachers who embark upon these trips is injury to the children and the resulting fall-out upon their return. The teacher we spoke to had experienced dealing with a number of children with broken bones as a result of skiing accidents and suggested the following:

“The main thing to be aware of is that staff should never ski with the children unless there is a qualified ski instructor present as well, since medical insurance can be invalidated. Parents accept there’s a risk associated with skiing and if accidents happen – which they will – as long as a qualified ski instructor is with the class, the teacher can feel confident that he or she is following procedure.”

“The medics in ski resorts are more experienced at dealing with sports injuries than the majority of doctors in the UK. If I broke something, I’d prefer to be in a ski resort than anywhere else.”

A final thing to think about is that there’s likely to be an excess with the medical insurance which either the child can pay (should they have plenty of spending money) or failing that, the teacher will have stump up the cash and then ask for reimbursement from the parents when the party returns.

Costing
To run an expensive trip you are clearly going to need parents who can afford it and this will not be possible in many schools. Should you want to run a ski trip, the costs can be kept down by using a coach, rather than flying and also by going outside the school holidays though this would mean taking time off school.

Additionally, resorts in countries like Bulgaria for example are far cheaper than the likes of Val D’Isere in France or Aspen in Colorado and so money can be saved there too. A large kitty for staff is not necessary. The teacher we spoke to suggested charging an extra £5-10 per child to cover things like prizes for pupils and buying necessary supplies for the trip.

Finances
Many schools will have a finance person in the office to coordinate payment by parents – those paying in a lump sum or in instalments. If you run the money side yourself then make sure you are 100% accurate - preferably using a spreadsheet to keep track of what is coming in and going out. Most travel companies will ask for an initial deposit of £50 - £100 per child and then it is up to you to work out a payment schedule for the balance of the trip.

Finally…
The company you choose can make a big difference and it’s important to try and cultivate a good relationship with your point of contact there. You’ll inevitably have a lot of questions about the trip (particularly if you have not been to the destination before), and you should not be afraid to ask them.

When it comes to the safety and well-being of children, there is no detail too small to consider and thorough preparation will mean a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone concerned.

Have bike will change travel

A CNN story on bloggers changing the way the travel industry treats customers features Portland cyclist and Bicycle Transportation Alliance staffer Carl Larson's go-round with JetBlue after he tried to check his folding bike on a recent flight. The box with the bike was regulation size, but "an unfriendly ticket agent demanded that he fork over $50." Read on to find out what happened.

Holidaymakers urged to carry valid EHIC and travel insurance

More than three million people are at risk of travelling abroad with an out-of-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), highlighting the importance of holiday insurance.

That is according to the Department of Health, which advised holidaymakers that the EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance.

It did not however, that some travel insurance policies are invalid without an EHIC, warning that cards belonging to 3.3 million people will have expired since September 2008 by the end of March.

Urging travellers to check the expiration date on their EHIC, which replaced the E111 form in 2005, health minister Dawn Primarolo warned that people holidaying without adequate cover are putting "themselves at risk".

She said: "It is vital that UK residents holidaying in Europe carry their EHIC and take out adequate travel insurance to avoid having to pay out unnecessarily for medical costs."

Yesterday (March 19th), the government department warned holidaymakers visiting the Channel Islands that they will no longer receive free medical treatments from April 1st.

ACE USA Introduces a Comprehensive Global Travel Program for the Higher Education Community

00:14 ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, today announced its University Global Travel Program for the higher education community. The Program is designed to offer an institution the ability to combine their employee travel insurance plans with benefits for other members of the academic community - students, visitors, alumni, and their traveling companions - while traveling on university business or sponsored educational or exchange programs. The ACE USA University Global Travel Program, offered through ACE USAs Accident&Health Division, bundles traditional accident and sickness benefits with less traditional benefit offerings such as war risk, emergency medical response and political evacuation services.
”ACE continues to provide innovative insurance products and services to the changing marketplace and these enhancements respond to the increased need for colleges and universities to provide opportunities for their members to explore new regions and cultures,” said Frank DAncona, Vice President, ACE Accident&Health. ”Were pleased to offer flexible international risk management solutions to travelers and risk managers as well as critical online information tools so they can learn more about the risk factors they may face while traveling.”
Product Highlights:*
High-limit accidental death, dismemberment and paralysis benefits available on a guaranteed issue basis Integrated worldwide assistance services including travel services, emergency response, natural disaster, and political evacuation along with 24/7 access to global threat assessments and online location-based intelligence A spectrum of additional benefits and hazards designed to enhance the value of the product offering for travelers Customized plans for multinational universities tailored for their worldwide employees and student populations War risk, kidnap and extortion and other benefits for high risk travel ACE USA Accident&Health, a division of ACE USA, is committed to delivering a wide range of insurance products - from traditional employer accident programs to specialty coverages for various types of groups and their members. These products help protect against the serious financial consequences of a sudden injury or illness. The ACE USA University Global Travel Program is underwritten by the ACE USA Accident&Health Division. For more information or to submit an account, contact Frank DAncona at by Standard&Poors. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.aceusa.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.

Contacts:
ACE USACarla Ferrara, 215-640-4744carla.ferrara@acegroup.com

WorldNomads.com include loss of job in travel insurance coverage

For many North Americans, 'tis the season for summer vacation travel planning. However, many families are choosing to not travel this year because of economic uncertainty. World Nomads travel insurance now provides coverage for trip cancellation for a variety of reasons, including a lost job. "At World Nomads we believe that vacation time and international exploration are very important elements to a happy and healthy life," says Chris Noble, General Manager of World Nomads. "But today, many people are understandably holding back on travel and saving a little more money until our global economy stabilizes. We have those travelers covered. Our travel insurance covers trip cancellation, including due to a lost job." Most types of travel insurance cover unfortunate circumstances such as lost baggage and illness. World Nomads understands that travelers have commitments beyond travel. Therefore, the company has created a travel insurance policy that is flexible and fits the lifestyle of even the most spontaneous traveler and one that appeals to travelers in these uncertain economic times. World Nomads developed and perfected travel insurance for the adventure traveler, and today happily serves an ever-expanding traveler demographic. Travelers can buy, extend and claim travel insurance policies online from anywhere in the world 24/7, even after leaving home. World Nomads Travel Insurance is simple and flexible. Additionally, by offering language guides, destination information and safety tips, World Nomads provides everything to ensure each traveler is fully equipped for their adventure before departure. World Nomads also believes in giving back to local communities spanning the globe. Thus, the company has partnered with Footprints, an alliance of e-commerce businesses and their customers who fund community projects from many tiny donations collected with every online transaction, to contribute in the efforts of conserving the world's communities and wildlife.

Allclear warns against travel insurance uncertainty

Specialist travel insurer AllClear has warned that many holidaymakers are travelling with inadequate travel insurance.

The primary cause for concern revolves around the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which does provide coverage should an individual fall ill overseas.

However, the unfortunate holidaymaker may still be lumbered with paying for expensive drugs, contributing towards treatment and the cost of being returned home.

A worst case scenario (financially) could include a skiing accident requiring a £3,000 per hour helicopter rescue, which is likely to leave the individual’s wallet significantly lighter as it is not covered by the EHIC.

Allclear’s Product Development chief, Chris Blackman, has warned those who think just having the EHIC is sufficient that they are mistaken.

Allclear does recommend the EHIC, but as a bare minimum.

The EHIC does not cover every country, some such as Monaco and Andorra are not covered at all, and in others coverage can be patchy, with daily care in Greece and elsewhere not covered.

It does not guarantee free healthcare, with the aim being that an EHIC holder is treated more like a national, so that if the country in question has a more privatised system the EHIC holder may well have to pay for their care.

Although premiums can seem high for those with pre-existing conditions, the costs of falling ill abroad without insurance can be astronomical.

Even within British territory travel insurance is more necessary than many people think. A few days ago changes to the healthcare relationship between the UK mainland and the Channel Islands meant that travel insurance is now required when visiting the Channel Islands as free healthcare will not be provided.

ACE USA Introduces a Comprehensive Global Travel Program for the Higher Education Community

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, today announced its University Global Travel Program for the higher education community. The Program is designed to offer an institution the ability to combine their employee travel insurance plans with benefits for other members of the academic community – students, visitors, alumni, and their traveling companions – while traveling on university business or sponsored educational or exchange programs. The ACE USA University Global Travel Program, offered through ACE USA's Accident & Health Division, bundles traditional accident and sickness benefits with less traditional benefit offerings such as war risk, emergency medical response and political evacuation services.

“ACE continues to provide innovative insurance products and services to the changing marketplace and these enhancements respond to the increased need for colleges and universities to provide opportunities for their members to explore new regions and cultures,” said Frank D'Ancona, Vice President, ACE Accident & Health. “We're pleased to offer flexible international risk management solutions to travelers and risk managers as well as critical online information tools so they can learn more about the risk factors they may face while traveling.”

Product Highlights:*

* High-limit accidental death, dismemberment and paralysis benefits available on a guaranteed issue basis
* Integrated worldwide assistance services including travel services, emergency response, natural disaster, and political evacuation along with 24/7 access to global threat assessments and online location-based intelligence
* A spectrum of additional benefits and hazards designed to enhance the value of the product offering for travelers
* Customized plans for multinational universities tailored for their worldwide employees and student populations
* War risk, kidnap and extortion and other benefits for high risk travel

ACE USA Accident & Health, a division of ACE USA, is committed to delivering a wide range of insurance products – from traditional employer accident programs to specialty coverages for various types of groups and their members. These products help protect against the serious financial consequences of a sudden injury or illness. The ACE USA University Global Travel Program is underwritten by the ACE USA Accident & Health Division. For more information or to submit an account, contact Frank D'Ancona at (302) 476-6335 or Frank.D'Ancona@acegroup.com or visit www.aceusa.com.