WARWICK, R.I., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a weakened economy, a
challenging airline industry, and sky rocketing fuel prices, Americans aren't
giving up their summer vacation plans, travel industry experts observe; but
they are scaling back.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070529/NETU076LOGO )
Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online
travel insurance comparison site, agrees. "At InsureMyTrip.com, we are seeing
noticeable changes in the trips our customers are taking. This time last year
we provided critical insurance protection for a tremendous amount of vacations
to the Caribbean, Europe, and elsewhere overseas. The summer of 2008 however,
seems to be about vacationing closer to home."
But whether you're trading a villa in Tuscany for a beach house on Cape
Cod, or an African safari for the wilds of Disney's Animal Kingdom, one fact
still holds true: "Travel insurance is the best way to protect all of your
travels and trip investments during this challenging time," says Grace. "While
travel insurance can't prevent things from going wrong, it can help ease your
travel woes and get your journey back on track."
The key is to plan ahead. Travel insurance, like all insurance, is
predicated on the occurrence of unforeseen events. You need to purchase travel
insurance before your trip for maximum coverage and peace of mind protection
against the unexpected. "It only takes one bad travel experience for a person
to understand that trip insurance is not a luxury, it's a necessity," explains
Grace. "Travel insurance is your best defense against many of the most common
risks affecting travel today."
Trip Cost Protection: It happens all the time. Just before your family
vacation, one of the kids gets sick, forcing you to cancel the fun-filled
get-away. Travel insurance protects your financial investment so you don't pay
for a trip you cannot take.
Travel Delays/Missed Connections: A delayed flight can strand a person for
hours or even cause them to miss a connecting flight to a vacation cruise.
These events occur often and can wreak havoc on your itinerary not to mention
your wallet for hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation caused by
weather-related delays and cancellations.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: If you, a traveling companion, family
member, or business partner have a pre-existing medical condition (injury,
disease or illness), trip insurance is a must. But plan ahead as the majority
of travel insurance policies require that you purchase your policy within 7 to
21 days of your initial trip deposit to be eligible for pre-existing medical
conditions coverage.
Hurricanes & Severe Weather: Mother Nature can be a powerful force to
reckon with especially if you are traveling to earthquake, hurricane, or flood
prone areas. Travel insurance provides coverage for weather-related trip
cancellations, delays and interruptions as well as vacation rentals, resorts,
and hotels made uninhabitable by weather.
Supplier Default: Most of the major U.S. travel insurers provide financial
default/bankruptcy protection if you purchase your travel insurance plan
within 7 to 21 days (varies by company and plan) of your initial trip deposit.
Although some travel insurers will provide coverage for suppliers that have
declared bankruptcy but continue to operate, once a company ceases operations
it becomes a foreseen event and insurance can no longer be purchased.
Tour Operator Cancels: Travel insurance does not provide coverage if a
tour operator cancels due to a lack of participants. However, some insurance
companies do offer a Cancel For Any Reason policy that allows you to cancel
your trip for any reason you choose, up to two days prior to your departure.
Unemployment: Most travel insurance policies will cover an unexpected loss
of employment. Plans vary by company but all specify coverage for lay-off of a
full-time employee.
InsureMyTrip.com allows consumers to review, rate, compare, analyze and
purchase travel insurance from all the leading U.S. travel insurance companies
in a completely secure environment. To learn more about the protection plans
that best suit your vacation travel needs, visit http://www.InsureMyTrip.com
on-line 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 help in selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip's
professional Customer Care representatives are waiting for your call.
About InsureMyTrip.com
Established in 1995, InsureMyTrip.com is the leading, consumer-oriented
online travel insurance aggregator worldwide. Featuring insurance comparisons
from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip.com is a unique, one-stop
resource designed to meet consumers' comprehensive travel insurance needs all
in a secure environment. InsureMyTrip.com also specializes in providing
integrated technology solutions for the travel insurance industry, with over
2,000 private-labeled and co-branded travel-related websites around the globe.
InsureMyTrip.com is headquartered in Warwick, RI with additional offices and
data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Peter Evans
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=62537
James Grace
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=73855
SOURCE InsureMyTrip.Com
Vikki Corliss of InsureMyTrip.Com, +1-401-773-9210,
Vikki.Corliss@insuremytrip.com
