Eye on Travel Insurance

What to do if your travel insurance claim is denied.
Answers to a reader’s question: “Is it possible to buy travel insurance covering trip cancellation/medical evacuation, etc., on an ANNUAL basis for us travelers who take several trips throughout the year? (See February 2006 issue, page 46, regarding a new, long-term travel insurance policy, "Travel Protect International," offered by World Travel Center; phone 402/343-3621 and ask for Dan Drennen.)

How did the travel insurance industry respond to the Asian tsunami disaster in December 2004 and how did this affect travel insurance coverages for this period and for subsequent travel?

General travel insurance policy coverages

Claims for medical, trip interruption, trip delay and miscellaneous coverages such as baggage loss, etc., are being accepted as a result of tsunami-related losses.

Claims for trip cancellations are generally accepted only if the claim meets...

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A compilation of ITN readers' letters, with responses and recommendations.
In a letter in ITN titled “Travel insurance inquiry,” a reader's question is followed by Wayne’s answer: “There is no ‘stand alone’ trip-cancellation insurance available.” — The last company to offer it was Travel Guard, and they canceled that back in 1992. A discussion of your options.
Your AAA auto insurance policy might be offering no-extra-cost evacuation coverage. Other little-known sources are listed and explained.
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and terrorism issues caused the travel insurance industry to reconsider coverage for these new travel concerns. Lots of sources for up-to-date information here.
Travel insurance changes all the time. This article outlines the terms and conditions of many tour companies that offer this option.