I found your answer complete, clear, and exactly what I needed to make a decision. Thank you for your prompt answer. I purchased the Medical Evacuation. Also, after the purchase, I had to make a call to customer service to clear an issue on the insurance. They were very nice and, like you, provided the information I needed. THANK YOU.
In a recent article on Philly.com by the Washington Post’s Andrea Sachs, the benefits of having a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan are made glaringly clear. Citing such reputable sources as the United States Travel Insurance Association (USTiA) and Peter Evans, Vice President of InsureMyTrip, “How to Prepare for Sickness on Foreign Trips” provides insight into the whys and hows of securing the best medical coverage for your travels abroad.
Among the highlights: Evans’ advice to double-check with your U.S. health insurance provider before traveling, to find out whether or not they will fully cover your treatment and possible evacuation if you become ill or injured abroad; the reminder that travel medical insurance comes not only with financial benefits, but also with real-time assistance to help you locate and access appropriate treatment away from home; and this bit of information gleaned from InsureMyTrip’s Ratings and Reviews page.
“…Travelers gush about how travel medical insurance gave them ‘peace of mind.’ In the first 100 of 1,466 responses, not a single person related a negative story involving an injury or a claim. Nor did anyone complain about wasting money for an unused service.”
In an article published on the Huffington Post regarding the many headaches Carnival Cruises has endured this year, the difference between cruise line insurance and third-party travel insurance for your cruise is spelled out in stark terms. While there are many good reasons to purchase your insurance from an independent source rather than from the cruise line on which you’re planning to sail, the most obvious one is often overlooked: If you are insured by the cruise line, that insurance policy is likely to be written in such a way as to be of more benefit to the cruise company than it is to you.
To avoid common headaches such as receiving “reimbursement” in the form of vouchers for future cruise experiences you may or may not want to take, as well as to secure additional benefits for yourself that could be useful in helping you to recover the costs of additional transportation, or cover your medical expenses out of country if necessary, buying travel insurance for your cruise should always be done through a third party. The Huffington Post article recommends InsureMyTrip as a “respectable and easy to use service” for just this sort of purchase.
With golf tours abroad being a hot travel choice for many people, the question of whether or not travel insurance is a worthwhile investment for golfers was bound to come up sooner or later. A recent issue of Golf Digest tackles just that question, with clear advice and recommendations to those who are planning to hit the links and have invested a significant amount of money in pre-paid expenses to make their golfing dreams come true.
Among the excellent points raised in the article is the relative cost of travel insurance vs. your trip cost, and whether or not your personal financial picture allows you to tolerate losing all your pre-paid costs. “If you can hear that you just lost the cost of your trip, then roll over and go back to sleep, you probably don’t need insurance,” a tour company spokesperson is quoted as saying. However, given the relatively low cost of a travel insurance policy that will cover the needs of most recreational golfers — noted in this piece as anywhere from 5% to 15% of total trip cost, depending upon whether or not you want specialized benefits such as “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage — even those who have a high tolerance for absorbing financial losses may find that it’s worth it to protect their trip investment. Golf Digest recommends shopping around to compare different insurance plans and rates from different companies, and highlights InsureMyTrip.com as the place to do the best comparison shopping.
A recent insightful column by the Frugal Traveler exposes the step-by-step decision-making process of a traveler who is considering whether or not travel insurance is a wise investment for his upcoming trip to Asia. While the decision that each traveler may reach regarding this choice is decidedly different — and should be, since the need for insurance is based on highly individual factors — the issues that are raised in the column are common to almost all travelers, and should be considered whenever you’re planning a trip.
Among the concerns raised by the Frugal Traveler are the cost of travel insurance relative to the cost of a trip; the relative likelihood of misfortune befalling you on your trip (for example, greater for one who is traveling by motorcycle through remote mountains than for one who is visiting Grandma for a week); the coverage already offered to you by your own medical insurance or homeowner’s insurance; and your individual financial tolerance — whether or not you think you’d be able to absorb the cost of a medical evacuation or other major unforeseen expense. In most cases, the Frugal Traveler recommends using InsureMyTrip as one of the key sources for comparing and purchasing travel insurance options that suit your needs.
This week, the Washington Post ran a very thorough story on the details of travel medical insurance. Using InsureMyTrip as a resource, the article explains in depth how travel medical coverage works, why it’s important, and how it should be used. One excerpt underscores the security many travelers feel when they have appropriate travel medical insurance in place:
On the comments page of InsureMyTrip.com, a travel insurance aggregator, travelers gush about how travel medical insurance gave them “peace of mind”; “fortunate” and “felt very comfortable” were also popular words. In the first 100 of 1,466 responses, not a single person related a negative story involving an injury or a claim. Nor did anyone complain about wasting money for an unused service.
One reason travelers may feel so secure, the article points out, is that those who travel without insurance may need to pay out of pocket for any unexpected medical costs, while those who travel with insurance can file a claim with their travel insurance company to have those costs reimbursed. When the medical emergency is severe, requiring specialized services such as evacuation, the difference travel insurance makes could be measured in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, as InsureMyTrip’s Executive Vice President, Peter Evans, points out in the Post article, travelers looking to purchase a medical plan for their trip should always check with their primary health insurance carrier first. Some U.S.-based health insurers will cover medical expenses abroad, in part or in full, so it’s smart to have an understanding of your provider’s policies before buying additional coverage.
WARWICK, RI, November 6, 2012—According to the Farmers’ Almanac long-term forecast, temperatures will be much colder this winter, from the East Coast westward to a line from the Dakotas to Texas, so be sure to bundle before you trundle home for the holidays. Frigid temps any time are rarely popular, but during the busiest travel season of the year, they can only spell trouble. From icing planes and runways, to blinding blizzards and vicious winds, winter weather is truly a force to be reckoned with, so don’t take any chances. This holiday season, get travel insurance and protect your trip to Grandma’s.
“Travel insurance provides significant coverage for some of the most common travel risks including severe weather, delays and missed connections, sudden illness, and lost baggage,” says Jim Grace, President of InsureMyTrip.com. “Purchasing travel insurance protection is important but selecting the best policy to meet your needs and concerns is critical.” Whether you’re a first-time travel insurance consumer or a veteran customer, the following guidelines can help you through the choosing and buying process.
Know what you most want to protect: From your travel investment to your personal health, travel insurance can provide the coverage you need when you need it most.
Know what you have: Travel insurance protects many things that are not covered by credit cards, homeowner policies, and healthcare plans. Know what you have then research and compare the coverages available.
Buy sooner than later: Trip Cancellation Package Policies offer the broadest protection, including coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and travel delay, as well as medical and emergency evacuation. To receive the most benefit from the travel insurance policy including financial default protection and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, the majority of the policies require that you purchase your policy within 10 to 30 days of your First Trip Payment.
Protect your baggage: Current data estimates that 30 million bags are mishandled each year as a result of airport congestion, reduced flight availability, and mounting baggage volumes. Remember to protect your bags during the busy travel season with a comprehensive Package Policy including coverage for baggage.
Take control of your travel: Travel insurance affords many options to help you manage your travels. “Cancel For Any Reason” is one such optional benefit that empowers travelers to cancel trips for any reason of their choosing including schedule conflicts, bad weather, even a case of the flu. This coverage varies by company and must be purchased within 10-30 days of your First Trip Payment.
Wherever and whenever you are traveling, travel insurance is a prudent investment and your best defense against many of the most common travel risks. To learn more about the protection plans that can make all your holiday travels shiny and bright, visit www.insuremytrip.com or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance representative. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).
# # # About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is the leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide. Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.
WARWICK, RI, October 16, 2012—Despite a chilling start—Costa Concordia and norovirus outbreaks come to mind—cruise vacations in 2012 are climbing the popularity charts with travelers of all ages. From river cruises to cuisine cruises to the more familiar Caribbean cruise, there’s no shortage of floating vacations to choose from. But whether you opt for spirited adventure on the high seas or restful and tranquil sailing, remember to protect your trip from things that go bump in the night with travel insurance.
“Statistically, cruises are considered one of the safest forms of travel, but oftentimes things can and do go wrong,” says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip. “For protection against the unexpected, travel insurance is truly a traveler’s best friend.” Just like cruises and friends however, there are different kinds of insurance and choosing which one is right for you can be daunting. To clear up some of the mystery, InsureMyTrip investigated the top five travel insurance myths and compiled a list of best practices for protecting all your nautical vacations:
1. I Don’t Need It, Nothing Will Go Wrong: Though we hope never to use or need it, travel insurance can provide a tremendous amount of security and peace of mind for a small fraction of the cost of your trip. Travel insurance provides coverage for a wide-range of travel risks including:
Trip cancellation (if you have to cancel)
Trip interruption (if your travels are brought to an unexpected end while on your trip)
Medical coverage (if you need emergency medical coverage or an augmentation of your current health benefits)
Medical evacuation protection (air ambulance service)
2. All Insurance Plans Are the Same: There are hundreds of insurance policies to choose from and just like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. The key is to compare, compare, compare. Shop around to get the best plan for your needs at the right price. InsureMyTrip.com offers side-by-side comparisons of policies and prices to help you make smart purchasing decisions quickly and easily.
3. There’s No Best Time to Buy Insurance: The early bird isn’t the only one rewarded for his timely action. To receive the most benefit from your travel insurance policy and be eligible for optional benefits like Cancel For Any Reason and Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, purchase your policy within 10 to 30 days of your First Trip Payment.
4. I Get All the Protection I Need with Insurance from the Cruise Line: Insurance from a third-party source is easy to buy but more importantly, it offers 1) greater choice of plans, 2) enhanced protection coverage, including Financial Default protection and Missed Connection benefits and 3) better reimbursement benefits that provide financial reimbursement for canceled trips rather than a cruise voucher or credit.
5. All of My Medical Needs Can Be Managed Onboard: It’s true that all cruise ships have fully equipped medical facilities and staff onboard to handle most emergencies, still, medical evacuations –transporting a passenger from the ship to a hospital on shore– occurs more often than we realize. The cost of a typical evacuation to the nearest, but not necessarily quality-care hospital, can quickly exceed the limited coverage offered by most cruise lines and leave you with a hefty balance to pay. Medical evacuation policies offering up to $2 million coverage can be purchased from InsureMyTrip as a stand alone policy or a benefit included in comprehensive travel policies. It provides evacuation to the nearest appropriate care facility or, in some cases, to your hospital of choice depending on the company and plan.
To learn more about the protection plans that best suit your cruise travel needs, visit www.insuremytrip.com online or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).
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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide. Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.
A recent article from Kiplinger names the top 15 sites to save money on your travels. From vacation packages and hotels to currency converters and travel insurance, you’re bound to pick up some useful tips and helpful information. InsureMyTrip.com is mentioned as a smart way to save money on travel insurance, due largely to two factors: 1) Our site allows you to compare policies from multiple companies, and purchase the level of coverage that’s right for you; and 2) If you’re caught up in an unexpected event that compromises your travel plans, you could end up spending additional money to resolve the issue if you don’t have a travel insurance policy. In particular, the Kiplinger article points out that travel insurance bought through a cruise line or agency may not be a good deal even if it seems to be cheaper, because of markups, restrictions, and lower coverage levels than could be found through InsureMyTrip.
WARWICK, RI, September 19, 2012—When InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site launched its revolutionary Ratings & Reviews (R&R) insurance feature last summer, it was the start of something big. With R&R in place, InsureMyTrip became the first-ever customer-integrated travel insurance buying platform on the web today. It was a notable advancement for InsureMyTrip and a major advantage for our customers. A year later, InsureMyTrip is celebrating another exciting milestone achievement: the 10,000th Ratings & Reviews customer entry.
“When we launched Ratings & Reviews a year ago, our goal was to create a trusted space for our customers to share and compare their travel insurance experiences,” explains Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip. “Ten thousand reviews later, R&R has become so much more; it is a community of travelers for travelers seeking and offering unbiased opinions and honest impressions of travel protection products.”
Ratings & Reviews provides a unique lens on the travel insurance marketplace not available on any other site by offering an exclusive space for travelers to have an open dialogue and information exchange with a community of protection-conscious peers like themselves. “Now for example, traveler Christine from Des Moines, Iowa, and the author of the 10,000th R&R review can share what she thinks about the package policy she purchased for a recent trip to Peru. “Thanks to Christine and all the members of the R&R community, InsureMyTrip customers can count themselves among the most well-informed and confident travel insurance buyers in the world,” says Grace.
“Every one of the 9,999 entries leading up to this moment are responsible for building the foundation that makes R&R the incredible resource that it is and will continue to be,” explains Grace, “but we’d be remiss if we didn’t honor the 10,000th milestone in a special way. To celebrate and say ‘thank you’ to Christine for her input and support of Ratings & Reviews, we’re sending her and a companion to the Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa & Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a different kind of R&R,” jokes Grace.
“We’re delighted to be a part of this celebration event of 10,000 reviews,” adds Deborah Fleig, Director of Ten Thousand Waves Tours. “Much like the Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa & Resort, InsureMyTrip’s Ratings & Reviews feature is about helping others and creating a unique experience. We always recommend all of the travelers who join our Japanese Hot Springs Tours buy their insurance through InsureMyTrip.com —-as do we each time we venture away from Santa Fe.”
At InsureMyTrip.com you can also rate, compare, analyze and purchase travel insurance from all the leading U.S. travel insurance companies in a completely secure environment, or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting coverage that’s right for you, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).
# # # About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide. Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.
About Ten Thousand Waves Spa & Resort:
Ten Thousand Waves is a unique mountain spa near Santa Fe, New Mexico that feels like a Japanese hot spring resort. We’re a beautiful day spa, but for a lucky few, we’re a great destination resort hotel. We’re ten minutes from downtown, only minutes to the Santa Fe National Forest, and the closest lodging to the Santa Fe Ski area.
WARWICK, RI, September 13, 2012—Following the recent attack on the U.S. Diplomatic mission in Benghazi, the Department of State is warning U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya. If you have plans to travel there or another ‘hot’ area in the future, now is the time to review the provisions of your travel protection policy.
InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site, has experts standing by to review, interpret, and explain the benefits of coverage you’ve purchased from us or another company. “Having a policy in place is a great first step,” says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip, “but knowing beyond a doubt that you have the right protection is critical.”
InsureMyTrip.com’s team of licensed and knowledgeable insurance representatives can help you understand what you have and/or if your policy provides all the benefits you need. “Not all travel insurance policies cover all events. We want travelers to understand what they have purchased and what may be the best protection for their trip given recent events and their potential for impacting travel.”
To learn more about the protection plan you have, call (800) 487-4722 to speak with one of our licensed travel insurance professionals, or email us at customercare@insuremytrip.com. InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).
# # #
About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide. Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.
