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Why You Need Backpacker Travel Insurance

September 9th, 2010


Thousands of us each year decide to up sticks ad go on an adventure to the four corners of the world. We all go for different reasons, to explore another culture, to put off working, to find ourselves etc. Whatever your own personal reason it is important that you first get the boring stuff out of the way. Being prepared before you go away can go along way to ensuring you have a much more enjoyable time away.

Something that is often overlooked is backpacker travel insurance, many travellers either don’t think about it or chose not get any. In my opinion, for many reasons, this is a bad idea. Although most of us do not look to dwell on the negatives, it is possible that you will run into some kind of trouble on your trip. Now, many people go away and come back months or years later, having had a safe and trouble free time. However, there are also those who unfortunately encounter problems along the way. Having backpacker insurance gives you a safety net to fall back on when things go wrong.

Nine times out of ten, as a backpacker your funds will be limited and the little money you do have, you will want to spend on funding once in a lifetime experiences. Paying huge amounts of money out to cover medical expenses or lost luggage is not featured in many travellers’ budgets. Take for instance, a friend of mine who recently had a skiing accident and was forced to shell out close to £1000 in medical bills, without backpacker insurance this kind of expense would not be possible for most of us. Is especially important if you are planning on participating high risk activities, you do not want to end up in a foreign hospital with no way of paying to get better!

As well as medical cover, another important issue is the loss of personal possessions. Living with your whole life in a bag for months on end means your belongings are vulnerable to being lost or damaged. Most insurance packages will pay out, for lost or stolen goods. You also need to get covered for travel delays, the recent problems with the ash cloud of Europe has highlighted the importance of insurance. Although many people find themselves having to pay out for new flights in these circumstances, you will find that most insurers will pay out for expenses incurred during the delay. This could be an invaluable asset to you on your travels.

By: Dan Holden

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Why You Should Buy Travel Insurance

September 8th, 2010


Travel insurance should be uppermost in your mind now that you have made your decision to travel. Even with the extra security that travel today demands, you’re going to have a great time! Before you go, though give yourself extra peace of mind with travel insurance. There are plenty of very good reasons to buy it!

Most people travel for all kinds of new experiences that are out there; however it also exposes you to some risks that you should be prepared for. Some of these occurrences may be no more than minor irritations, but others can be more devastating.

What would you do if you find your luggage lost or your flight canceled? You could find that your reservations have been canceled or your car rental not available. Some regions are notorious for theft or you may run into pick-pockets. These are a few of the situations that can occur and that travel insurance can help with.

Planning your vacation can be stressful enough; remove some of the stress and stop worrying about what might go wrong; purchase travel insurance and know that you are covered for those unforeseen problems.

Of course, there are many different types of travel insurance. Once you understand the differences you can more easily choose the right type of insurance for your holiday or business trip.

Most travel insurance policies offer combined insurance to cover all risks but individual cover is also possible. Medical insurance covers medical emergencies and will provide you with financial resources to seek medical treatment for injury or illness while you are traveling. Different policies offer additional coverage on top of direct medical payments. Be sure to read the policy carefully.

Cancellation or delay insurance will cover you if your trip is canceled or delayed for any reason that is beyond your control. It will provide you with financial reimbursement or an alternative flight if your airline goes out of business, important if you run the risk of being stranded otherwise. It will also provide you with a full refund if you are unable to complete your trip for some unforeseen reason.

Theft, particularly on holiday can be devastating, but at least with travel insurance coverage you will receive monetary reimbursement for the total value of your loss. If the items are a necessity during your trip your agent will work to have them replaced as quickly as possible.

Lost or damaged luggage happens more than you might think. You head off to Spain while your luggage heads off to Greece. Suddenly you find yourself at your destination without even a toothbrush to your name and only the clothes you stand up in. Your travel insurance can help you get you the necessities quickly and ultimately reimburse you for your lost luggage so your holiday isn’t totally ruined.

With ever changing weather patterns and more widespread political upheaval, if you find yourself in a situation where an emergency evacuation has been ordered your travel insurance will ensure that you are safely removed from the affected area. Although it may not be used that frequently it’s one of the best protections your policy offers.

Your insurance broker will provide a 24 hour world wide emergency assistance number which you call if you need to initiate a claim. The process is very simple and the operator will guide you through the process of making your claim quickly.

Travel insurance rates vary considerably so it pays to shop around and check online for the best rates around. It’s the easiest and most effective way to compare rates and coverage.

Your travel insurance will protect your health, your personal property, and your financial investment. Whether you are traveling for pleasure or business you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll be covered should something go find a way of going wrong.

By: Peter Fisher

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Travel Tips For Pet Travel

September 5th, 2010


Putting a pet on a plane for travel can be a stressful time for owners and their pet. Before you travel with your pet, it is important to make sure you have implemented the following tips to ensure your pet’s safety as well as its health and well-being.

Pet Risk Destination Assessment: Check health risks in the destination area such as Lyme disease, Rabies, Heartworm, and other parasites and viruses. Treat your pet to prevent affliction. As well, check for breed restrictions at the destination before traveling. Some types of breeds and animal species are banned.

Assess Your Pet’s Health: Travel can be a stressful time for any pet. Make sure that your pet is healthy. Sick, injured, too young or too old, and pregnant pets should not fly. Make sure all of the vaccinations are up-to-date. Vaccinations must be administered at least 30 days before departure. Rabies certificates should be obtained and signed no more than 10 days before departure. Make sure that your pet’s nails have been clipped to protect against them hooking on the carrier’s door, holes, and other small spaces. Do not feed your pet for four to six hours prior to air travel. Vomiting in the carrier is messy.

Pet Identification: Provide your pet with two identification tags. Make sure the tag contains your name, all of your contact numbers, home address, and phone number and address of your destination location. A microchip is a permanent way to identify your pet. Another option is to acquire a pet passport. A pet passport can be purchased at most local pet stores or on the internet. The passport will keep all of your pet’s health information and emergency contacts readily available. Attach a photograph of your pet to the top of the carrier. This will help with identification if it gets out of the carrier. You should keep a picture in your purse or wallet. You should also place the words, “Live Animal” on the top and the sides of the carrier.

Appropriate Pet Carrier: Make sure you have a durable carrier with handles and proper locking. It should also have good ventilation and the pet should be able stand up, turn around and lie down. Write your home and destination contact information on the carrier. On the inside, lay comfortable bedding such as linen. As well, place ice cubes in the pet’s dish in the carrier. It will melt during the trip and provide the pet with water without making a mess.

Know Your Airline’s Pet Policies: Pet policies differ among the various airlines. Some airlines have such restrictions as cabin weight limitations, a certain breed prohibited, no pets when there is bad weather, and certain pet carrier guidelines. Make sure you call ahead of time to obtain the essential information for flying with your pet.

Traveling with a pet requires much planning and preparation. When you pack for your pet, make sure to include leashes, collar, food, medication and its favorite toy. Following the above tips will help ensure a safe and less stressful trip on the airplane making your trip much more relaxing and enjoyable.

By: Amy Nutt

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