• 01
  Oct
  2009

• Money-Back Guarantee for Your Trip

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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You’ve planned that great vacation in South Africa, and cannot wait to get there. You’ve also purchased international travel insurance, so that’s taken care of. Suddenly, your spouse falls ill, and it looks like the trip will not happen after all.

Tickets were booked at the lowest rate, so you’ll lose some money there, and the hotels do not offer refunds. In this situation, you wish you had checked the “Trip Cancellation” option in the travel insurance application form, don’t you? Most often, trip cancellation is offered as part of travel insurance, with a choice to opt out of it. It’s a safe and sensible thing to opt for, and it costs just a few dollars along with your insurance for international travel.

Trip cancellation insurance is used to safeguard against losses on non-refundable trip expenses such as tickets and some hotel bookings. The most common form of the insurance reimburses if the trip is cancelled due to an unforeseen event such as the death of a close family member. You can also purchase insurance to cover cancellation due to any reason, but it is typically more expensive.

Read the fine print carefully and shop around. Ask questions to explain, for example, how the terms “close family member” and “emergency” are defined by the policy. The best thing that trip cancellation insurance provides is peace of mind for a successful trip.

• 30
  Sep
  2009

• Broad Student Insurance Against Illness Abroad

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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A recent study by the Institute of International Education indicates that the percentage of students taking up study abroad programs is increasing. While it’s a very heartening trend, students must be aware of foreign student insurance details before embarking on their trip.

As a first step, check with your study abroad office whether your current insurance will cover your stay abroad, and if so, the level of coverage. Remember to factor in changes in weather, temperature, and the kind of studies you will be doing. If you are going to be doing wildlife research in Africa, for instance, you may want to check for infectious diseases and other special coverage.

Remember to check the price of the college coverage, and compare it with other foreign insurance plans available. Get to know details of international health insurance plans before signing up for one.

Also connect with international students from your destination country to get a feel of the country. Is it flu season? Can you get painkillers over the counter? Also speak with study abroad scholars of earlier years. Did insurance actually work at the destination? Be better informed to tackle a new culture with a healthy mind and body!

• 29
  Sep
  2009

• How to Prepare for Your Backpacking Trip Abroad

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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Summer is gone, and the holiday season is not yet upon us. But this might just be a great time for international travel if you want to beat the crowds. The season is especially travel-friendly for backpackers.

To make your travel dollars work for you, consider the following before your trip:

1. Saturday tickets. Unless you are really pressed for time, you can probably travel a day later. Saturday tickets are sometimes more than 20% cheaper than Friday or Sunday tickets.


2. International travel insurance: Start shopping for international travel insurance deals, even if your trip is just for a week. You’re more likely to have the time to choose a perfect plan for you.


3. Live with local flavour: For adventure lovers, try inexpensive options such as couchsurfing, where locals offer their couches for travellers, or youth hostels, many of which are extremely well-maintained.

Remember that a backpacking lifestyle calls for more diligence in choosing appropriate insurance. If you’re a backpacker and are looking to perform some adventurous sports, purchase the extra coverage. It will save you a lot of trouble and tension.

Also remember to check everything that might impact you at the destination—weather, temperatures, social customs, international insurance plan reimbursement, etc. before the trip.

• 28
  Sep
  2009

• Mission Possible: Flexible Insurance Options for Missionaries

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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When you are travelling abroad to spread the word of God or that of service –whether religious, or through a non-profit organization--you want to be able to do that without any trouble. But the nature of the job might require you to travel to countries that are not well-developed. In this situation, it is imperative that you buy missionary insurance prior to departing for your international trip. The term “missionary insurance” is a hangover from the old days, and can cover most international travel for the purpose of serving others.
Before leaving, check the following with respect to your destination:

1. Recommended immunizations


2. Any travel advisory issued by the government on travel to the country


3. Political structure


4. Religious freedom accorded by the local government


5. Laws governing last rites

The last mentioned is to make sure that in case of your passing on, your family will be able to perform the last rites according to the rules of your religion. Make an informed choice about serving in a strife-torn region.
Missionary insurance plans are often modified international travel insurance plans with specific tailor-made add-on features for missionaries.