Nation's Largest Travel Insurance Provider: Faltering Economy Doesn't Stop Americans...

Nation's Largest Travel Insurance Provider: Faltering Economy Doesn't Stop
Americans From Traveling
'Empty Nesters' and Baby Boomers still planning trips averaging $2,000 and
booking as far as five months in advance

STEVENS POINT, Wis., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Guard
(http://www.traveguard.com), the nation's leading provider of travel insurance
and assistance plans, reports that despite economic uncertainties, segments of
American consumers are still planning and booking travel -- in some cases for
trips as far in advance as five months. Travel Guard data suggests the "empty
nester" and Baby Boomer segments of the population may be sacrificing other
purchases, but are not willing to give up their "right to travel."
In figures released today, Travel Guard reports the average cost of trips
covered through the company's plans in September and October of 2008 dipped
only slightly compared with the same period in 2007 -- from $2,057 to $2,009.
While many media reports conclude that Americans are staying closer to home,
this is not the case for Travel Guard clients. The number of clients
traveling outside of the United States has dipped only slightly, from 79.5
percent in 2007 to 78.7 percent in 2008.
Americans also appear to be reacting to airline capacity cuts by booking
travel and buying travel insurance earlier in advance of departure. Based on
Travel Guard customer data, consumers are booking their travel and buying
travel insurance plans an average of 151 days -- or more than five months
prior to their scheduled departure date. "That's a good idea," says Travel
Guard spokesperson Dan McGinnity.
"If you're planning a leisure trip in 2008 or early 2009, we strongly
recommend you book your flight well in advance, especially if you are going to
a popular destination," said McGinnity. "With fewer flights and fewer seats
available, it's the best way to assure you get where you want to go."
Travel insurance is particularly important for travelers who are
purchasing trips or making partial deposits well in advance of their departure
date, McGinnity noted. "Travel insurance covers you from the moment you
purchase your plan until you return home from your trip," he said. "If you're
booking further in advance, you have a longer period of time to cover your
travel investment. A comprehensive plan through Travel Guard can reimburse
you for nonrefundable airline tickets and other expenses if you have to cancel
your trip for an unexpected family illness, injury, severe weather or a host
of other covered reasons."
Travel Guard offers a number of comprehensive travel insurance plans that
provide reimbursement for trip cancellation, as well as interruption, delays
due to covered reasons, lost, stolen or delayed baggage, and emergency medical
expenses, including medical evacuation. Most plans also include a full range
of personal and travel assistance services that consumers can access before
and during their trip. For example, customers can call before they travel and
get information on visa/passport requirements, inoculations, luggage shipping
services and more. They also have access to Travel Guard Assist's 24/7
LiveTravel emergency travel service in case they need to rebook cancelled
flights and make new travel arrangement or hotel reservations.*
For more information about Travel Guard's selection of travel insurance
and assistance service plans, travelers can visit http://www.travelguard.com
or call Travel Guard's World Service Center at 1-800-826-1300.
About Travel Guard
Travel Guard Group, Inc. ("Travel Guard") (http://www.travelguard.com) is
one of America's leading providers of travel insurance plans for more than 6
million travelers each year. Travel insurance plans through Travel Guard are
distributed by more than 12,000 travel agents across the United States.
Travel insurance plans through Travel Guard may include coverage for trip
cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical expenses,
medical evacuation expenses, and lost or delayed baggage. Most plans also
include 24-hour travel assistance services* for emergency medical assistance,
last-minute or emergency travel changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip
travel advice, and more.
The travel insurance offered through Travel Guard is underwritten by
National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with its principal
place of business in New York, NY. The Policy will contain reductions,
limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. All coverages may not be
available in all states.
* Assistance services are provided by Travel Guard Assist.

Contact: Dan McGinnity/Carol Mueller Brian Major/ Erin McKeon
Travel Guard MMG Mardiks
800-826-7791 x14850/13050 212-219-7560 ext. 6764/6767
dan.mcginnity@travelguard.com bmajor@mmgmardiks.com
carol.mueller@travelguard.com emckeon@mmgmardiks.com

SOURCE Travel Guard

Dan McGinnity, 1-800-826-7791, ext. 14850, dan.mcginnity@travelguard.com, or
Carol Mueller, 1-800-826-7791, ext. 13050, carol.mueller@travelguard.com, both
of Travel Guard; or Brian Major, +1-212-219-7560, ext. 6764,
bmajor@mmgmardiks.com, or Erin McKeon, +1-212-219-7560, ext. 6767,
emckeon@mmgmardiks.com, both of MMG Mardiks, for Travel Guard