Travel Insurance Advice

How Late Can I Purchase Travel Insurance?

Anna Coats — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:38:17 +0000

For some travelers purchasing travel insurance can be an afterthought. Maybe they put off buying travel insurance until the last minute or didn’t realize that most medical insurance plans don’t provide international coverage. Luckily, travelers can purchase travel insurance as late as their departure date for trip cancellation coverage, or anytime, even after departure, for international medical plans not including trip cancellation. However, the travel insurance will not take effect until the following day.

For a better variety, travelers looking for trip cancellation coverage should purchase at least 24 hours before departure. Only two providers, Travelex and CSA Travel Protection write policies the day of travel. CSA is often a less expensive choice for last-minute travelers, as it is the only provider who takes into account the amount of time between the purchase date and the travel date.

Customers can’t predict the future. Just because no one is sick today, doesn’t mean someone won’t be sick tomorrow. Once an illness occurs it may be too late to be covered, even if the plan includes Pre-Existing Condition coverage.

Travelers should understand that Pre-Existing Condition, Cancel for Any Reason, and Cancel for Work Reasons coverages are typically available up to 14 days after the initial trip deposit date. Therefore, last-minute customers may not be eligible for these benefits.

Squaremouth Reveals Best Selling Travel Insurance Plans for the First Quarter of 2012

Anna Coats — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:34:08 +0000

ST. PETERSBURG, FL May 10, 2012 – Travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.com names CSA Travel Protection’s Custom Comprehensive as the best-selling travel insurance plan for the first quarter of the year. Custom Comprehensive was purchased by 10.45% of travel insurance customers, almost a 3% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

The plan offers 100% Trip Cancellation, 150% Trip Interruption, including Hurricane and Weather, Terrorism, and Employment Layoff cancellation coverages. It provides $50,000 Emergency Medical with no deductible and $250,000 Medical Evacuation coverages. Travelers also receive Travel Delay, Baggage Delay, Baggage and Personal Item Loss, and Missed Connection benefits.

The second best-selling policy of the quarter, Seven Corners’ Roundtrip Economy, provides 100% Trip Cancellation, 150% Trip Interruption, $25,000 Emergency Medical and $250,000 Medical Evacuation coverages.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector slightly increased sales from 7.44% to 7.63%. Its Trip Protector Lite had a slight decrease from 4.58% to 4.3%. Travel Insured ranked first in overall percentage of premium sold and second in overall percentage of sales for the first quarter.

Trawick International’s Safe Travels makes its debut as a top-selling policy since joining Squaremouth.com in February. The plan is competitively priced and includes $50,000 primary Emergency Medical and unlimited Medical Evacuation coverages, which are unique benefits for its price point. Most lower priced plans come with secondary insurance, which requires travelers to first claim hospital or doctor bills through their main medical insurance before submitting to their travel insurance company.

Based on first quarter sales, the average policy premium was $219.12.

Squaremouth compiles data from its sales of 17 travel insurance providers with more than 250 insurance plans.

Squaremouth 2012 1st Quarter Travel Insurance – Based on percentage of policies sold
CSA Custom Comprehensive 10.45%
Seven Corners Roundtrip Economy 8.01%
Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector 7.63%
Trawick International Safe Travels International 4.37%
Travel Insured Trip Protector Lite 4.3%

Why You Shouldn’t Buy Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Coverage

Anna Coats — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:53:20 +0000

Many travelers mistakenly think they need to purchase Cancel for Any Reason coverage when buying travel insurance. However, normal cancellation policies cover a majority of reasons why most travelers cancel their trips.

Most travel insurance policies cover cancellation due to sickness, injury or death to the travelers or their family members. Some plans also cover trip cancellation associated with transportation delays due to weather, mechanical failure or worker strikes, Financial Default of the transportation provider or tour operator, the traveler’s home becoming uninhabitable due to a natural disaster and work issues such as being laid off or having vacation time revoked. Check the policy certificate for exact reasons as coverage varies with each plan.

However, if you’re indecisive or have specific reasons to cancel that are not listed above Cancel for Any Reason may be beneficial. This benefit allows you to cancel your trip without documentation up to two days before your departure date. Since fear or loss of enjoyment is not included with regular cancellation coverage, Cancel for Any Reason can cover travelers who decide not to travel because of a virus outbreak on a cruise ship or heavy rains scheduled during their Caribbean vacations.

This coverage is more expensive, raising premiums as high as 50% and typically only reimburses travelers 75% of their trip cost.

What If I Miss My Cruise Ship Departure?

Anna Coats — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:26:27 +0000

Travelers understand that a virus outbreak or hurricane can ruin a cruise, but they don’t always think about protecting themselves before the ship departs. Airline issues caused by weather or mechanical failures can be unpredictable and cause travelers to miss their cruise departure. To protect against having to pay for a last-minute flight from the departure port to next stop or cancelling the cruise altogether, travelers can use the Missed Connection benefit from their travel insurance policies.

Missed Connection provides reimbursement to travelers for the costs to “catch up” to a cruise if there is a covered delay, such as bad weather or an accident while en route the airport or cruise port. The benefit takes effect 3-6 hours after the delay occurs and provides $200-$2500 in coverage. Travelers can use this coverage to pay not only for transportation to join their cruise, but also for food, lodging, and missed excursions that occurred during the delay.

Travelers should review travel insurance policies carefully as Missed Connection coverage varies. Some plans cover mechanical failures, while others only protect against bad weather. Travelers should also look for the shortest delay period if they are traveling the same day their cruise departs.

Squaremouth.com Adds Travel Guard Great Outdoor Travel Insurance Plan

Anna Coats — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:14:36 +0000

Squaremouth.com introduces the Great Outdoors travel insurance plan from Travel Guard North America. In addition to 100% Trip Cancellation, 150% Trip Interruption, $25,000 Emergency Medical, and $500,000 Medical Evacuation, this plan provides adventure travelers the benefit of participating in outdoor activities that are normally excluded in most policies.

The Great Outdoors benefits sportsmen by refunding the cost of hunting or fishing licenses or golf course fees if a trip is cancelled due to a covered reason. Golfers can also be reimbursed greens fees if inclement weather closes a golf course within 24 hours of a scheduled outing.

For travelers with expensive items, such as golf clubs, the Great Outdoors plan provides some of the highest Baggage and Personal Item Loss coverage, $2500 per person with a $1000 limit for the first item and $500 for additional items. It also has one of the highest Travel Delay coverages of $1,500 per person with a $150 daily limit, which goes into effect 5 hours after the delay.

Travel Guard makes up 9 of Squaremouth’s 250+ travel insurance policies.

Travel Warnings – Cote d’Ivoire

Anna Coats — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:45:15 +0000

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all of your overseas trips.

April 23, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Cote d’Ivoire. U.S. citizens who reside in or travel to Cote d’Ivoire should monitor conditions carefully, maintain situational awareness, and pay very close attention to their personal security. While the security situation has improved during the past several months, the potential for some civil unrest remains. Security conditions could change quickly and without warning. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning of December 16, 2011 to inform U.S. citizens that the U.S. Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire has returned to “fully accompanied” status, and to provide an update on the current security situation.

As of March 26, the U.S. Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire is authorized to operate again as a fully accompanied post, meaning minor dependents of U.S. government employees are now permitted to travel to or accompany family members to Abidjan. Since the post-electoral crisis ended, schools and businesses have reopened and government services such as police and gendarme activity have nearly returned to pre-crisis levels. The airport and ports have also resumed operations at levels at or near the pre-crisis state. With international support, the government is planning security sector reform, the re-opening of the national assembly, infrastructure and educational upgrades, and other activities to further enhance development prospects in Cote d’Ivoire. The Embassy continues to monitor the host country’s capacity for providing basic services to its population, particularly related to safety and security issues. The potential for some civil unrest, however, remains.

Crimes, such as muggings, robbery, burglary, and carjacking, pose risks for foreign visitors in Abidjan and around the country. Embassy personnel are required to obtain approval from the Embassy’s security office for proposed travel to western Cote d’Ivoire because of ethnic tension and criminal activity targeting Western travelers. You should take precautions when stopped in heavy traffic or at road blocks due to the threat of assault and/or robbery, and avoid travel outside Abidjan after dark. Land routes to neighboring countries are open, but you should be cautious and alert when traveling these routes. Local law enforcement authorities have limited capacity to respond to emergencies.

The Embassy instructs its staff to avoid large gatherings, crowds, demonstrations, and political events. U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations and/or political events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations or political events. If you are planning travel to Cote d’Ivoire despite this Travel Warning, particularly to destinations outside of Abidjan, consult the Embassy or your host organization for the most recent security assessments of the areas to which you plan to travel.

You can stay in touch and receive Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan’s website. Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

If you are going to live in or travel to Cote d’Ivoire despite this Travel Warning, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

The Embassy is located at01 B.P. 1712 Abidjan 01 Cote d’Ivoire. If you have questions or concerns about safety or related issues, you are encouraged to contact the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email message to AbjAmcit@state.gov. The Embassy Consular’s section can be reached by telephone at 225-22-49-45-94 and emergency after-hours telephone at 225-22-49-44-50.

Squaremouth Ranks 6th in 2012 Best Places to Work

Anna Coats — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:47:20 +0000

Squaremouth placed 6th overall out of 55 employers in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Best Places to Work. Squaremouth was nominated and placed 4th in the “Nearly Big” category, for employers with 10-25 employees.

Employees completed anonymous surveys about team effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, manager effectiveness, compensation, and benefits. Omaha based Quantum Workplace then analyzed employee responses and gave each company an overall score out of 100. Squaremouth scored 97.79.

Squarmouth’s unique work environment as been featured on Fox News and in the Tampa Bay Times.

Travel Warnings – Yemen

Anna Coats — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:48:22 +0000

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all of your overseas trips.

March 27, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. The Department urges U.S. citizens not to travel to Yemen. U.S. citizens currently in Yemen should depart. Effective September 1, 2011, the Department of State lifted the Ordered Departure status for U.S. government employees at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a. The embassy remains a restricted staffing post. As staff levels at the embassy are restricted, our ability to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency remains limited and may be further constrained by the fluid security situation. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Yemen issued on September 2, 2011 to provide updated information regarding the security situation in Yemen.

The security threat level in Yemen is extremely high. While political violence in Sana’a has calmed in recent months, violent clashes are still taking place in various parts of the country and may escalate without notice. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of a demonstration. Terrorist organizations continue to be active in Yemen, including al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). A U.S. citizen was attacked and killed in Taiz on March 18 and the press reports that AQAP has claimed responsibility. The U.S. government remains highly concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests. Piracy in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean is also a security threat to maritime activities in the region. See our International Maritime Piracy Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. government-facilitated evacuations occur only when no safe commercial alternatives exist. Evacuation assistance is provided on a cost-recovery basis, which means the traveler must reimburse the U.S. government for travel costs. The lack of a valid U.S. passport may hinder U.S. citizens’ ability to depart the country and may slow the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide assistance. U.S. citizens in Yemen should ensure that they have proper and current documentation at all times. For more information, see “What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis” at Department’s Internet website. Evacuation options from Yemen are extremely limited due to the lack of infrastructure, geographic constraints, and other security concerns. The U.S. government typically evacuates U.S. citizens to a safe haven, and travelers are responsible for making their own onward travel plans. Travelers should not expect to be evacuated to the United States.

U.S. citizens remaining in Yemen despite this Travel Warning should limit nonessential travel within the country, make their own contingency emergency plans, enroll their presence in Yemen through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and provide their current contact information and next-of-kin or emergency contact information.

The U.S. Embassy Sana’a is located at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, P.O. Box 22347. The telephone number of the Consular Section is (967) (1) 755-2000, extension 2153 or 2266. For after-hours emergencies, please call (967) (1) 755-2000 (press zero for extension) or (967) 733-213 509. From time to time the Embassy may temporarily close or suspend public services for security reasons. Emergency assistance to U.S. citizens during non-business hours (or when public access is restricted) is available through Embassy duty personnel.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Informationcan be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407- 4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other countries by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

What Determines My Trip Cost?

Anna Coats — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:53:37 +0000

Trip cost is a major factor in determining the price of travel insurance. As a result, travelers should understand what to include to keep premiums down.

Trip cost should only include pre-paid and non-refundable expenses. Airfare is typically pre-paid and therefore, should be included. Travelers should also include any excursions or tours that are non-refundable.

Examples of refundable trip costs include hotels that allow cancellations and car rentals. When using travel award reservations, customers would only include change or cancellations fees when determining their trip cost, and not the value of the reward booking, as travel insurance providers will only reimburse actually cash loss.

Policies with the Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits reimburse travelers for loses if a trip is canceled for covered reasons, such as death or illness, etc. Travelers can receive up to 100% of their trip cost for trip cancellation and up to 150% for trip interruption.

Travel Warnings – Syria

Anna Coats — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:00:38 +0000

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

March 6, 2012

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The United States continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and recommends that U.S. citizens in Syria depart immediately. The Department urges those remaining in Syria to leave while it is still possible, as borders may become more difficult to cross or may close without warning. On February 6, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended all operations in Syria, given ongoing violence and a deteriorating security situation. All official U.S. Embassy personnel and their family members have departed. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated February 6, 2012 to update information about border crossings, and provide updated new contact information for direct inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in Syria.

The Department continues to reach out to U.S. citizens we believe remain in Syria. Please direct inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in Syria to damaszek.usint@msz.gov.pl. Callers in the United States and Canada may dial the toll free number 1-888-407-4747. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial 1-202-501-4444.

The Department of State urges those U.S. citizens who decide to remain in Syria despite this Travel Warning to enroll their stay in Syria through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at http://travel.state.gov/, and provide their current contact and next-of-kin information.

The Polish government serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Syria. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Damascus at this time. For emergency assistance, U.S. citizens should dial 0969-333644. Callers outside of Syria should dial +963-969-333644.