• 31
  Mar
  2010

• The Best Way to Save on Travel Costs is to Invest in Travel Insurance

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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The quest for low airfares and cheap travel accommodations keeps many people surfing the Internet for hours at a time. What savvy international travelers realize is that one of the best ways to save money on travel plans is to spend a little money on travel insurance.
There are two things that seem to constantly be on the rise - the cost of travel and how busy the average person is. As a result, many travelers find themselves having to cancel or reschedule their plans because of a personal or professional obligation. That can be an extremely costly inconvenience.
International travel insurance offers you protection in this area. It offers reimbursement on travel, even on non-refundable flights. So if you need to change or cancel a flight, you will not have to worry about the cost associated with doing so, thanks to travel insurance.
With no end in sight to the rising cost of international travel, and the increasing uncertainty of the average person’s schedule, it is important to make sure you have adequately protected your investment. You don’t want to be stuck paying for two sets of airline tickets or multiple hotel accommodations because of a simple unforeseen event.

• 29
  Mar
  2010

• International Travelers Take Note: Passport Fees on the Rise

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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According to recent reports, international travelers will want to prepare themselves for yet another increase in fees. In addition to the constantly increasing cost of airfare and hotel accommodations, it will now cost more to simply buy or renew a passport.

The U.S. government is planning to increase all fees associated with passports. New applicants would now pay $135, a renewal would cost $110, and adding visa pages to an existing passport would cost $82.

The rationale behind increasing these fees is that the government is not currently receiving adequate compensation for the work involved in processing these. While it is certainly understandable that the government wishes to uncover new revenue streams, these increases are significant for travelers.

Rising fuel costs and economic difficulties have caused airlines to raise prices and charge for amenities like checking bags. Hotel accommodation prices have also been affected by economic woes, and now passport increases are set to further increase the cost of traveling internationally.

• 26
  Mar
  2010

• New U.S. Healthcare Program Only Applies Within Borders

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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On Sunday March 21st, the United States Congress passed into law an historic bill that will offer health insurance coverage to all citizens who do not currently have it. While the bill makes significant changes to the insurance landscape in the U.S., it is important to understand these changes will not affect citizens traveling abroad; they will still need international health insurance.

Most private healthcare policies in the U.S. only cover events that occur inside U.S. borders. These restrictions mean that if you are planning a trip to another country, you will want to look into a supplemental insurance policy.

International health insurance allows travelers from the U.S. to get high quality health care coverage at affordable rates. Rather than face the high costs of seeking care without insurance, travelers can use their policies to absorb the expensive fees of emergency care and doctor's visits.

The new U.S. healthcare plan seeks to change the way many citizens obtain and use health insurance policies, but that change is only aimed at occurring inside U.S. borders. It does not impact how U.S. citizens visiting or staying in other nations will get their healthcare needs fulfilled.

• 24
  Mar
  2010

• Best & Worst Highways List Reminds Us Why International Medical Insurance is Important

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Contributor
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A recent article from Reader's Digest looks at United States highways, ranking them in order of best and worst according to safety concerns. This valuable article not only alerts travelers to potential trouble spots, it also reminds us all of the fact that international travelers should always buy international medical insurance when visiting the U.S., because driving can be a dangerous experience even for locals.

The article was put together using data compiled by the United States Federal Highway Administration. It looked at factors including highway conditions, bridge conditions, and fatalities occurring on these roadways to determine the best and worst for drivers.

Roads in Pennsylvania, California, Georgia, and Montana all were noted for having especially dangerous and deadly roadways. For international travelers visiting the U.S., unfamiliarity with local roads and highways will already be a challenge. Driving on roads that even locals encounter difficulty with poses an even greater threat.

In the event you do find yourself involved in an auto accident in the U.S., you will want to be sure to have international medical insurance. The policy you have in your native country likely does not extend to the U.S., so you would be considered uninsured. This would leaved you with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in medical bills, depending on the severity of your injuries. Do not take chance, especially if your travels will take you to any of these notorious danger zones.