Travelers who book airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals and other options online, often in the middle of the night in their pjs, can only wonder what we ever did without the Internet.
To someone who still uses a travel agent or has the 12-year-old take care of the travel plans, looking at travel-planning options can make a three-card Monte wager look like a sure bet.
Social media (where almost anyone can go online and post a comment, spew a rant or post pictures of the three-month-old strapped in for his or her first flight) are changing the way companies communicate with customers.
Renting a villa is a large investment. Insurance can cover you in the event of a medical evacuation or an unforeseen conflict; it can also protect you from bad weather delays or errors made by the rental agency. Some policies will let you cancel if you’ve recently been laid off from your job, while others will permit you to cancel for no reason at all. Expect to pay a premium of 5 to 11 percent of the trip’s prepaid, nonrefundable cost; cost may depend on the ages of the travelers in your group. Use one of the five companies listed on tripinsurancestore.com.
Spring Break safety: Travel tips for teens and college kids
Protect your health. Steve Dasseos, president of Trip Insurance Store, advises that you learn as much as you can about your health insurance policies before your child travels to a foreign country, including if your child will have coverage outside of the U.S. and how much you would have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment.
With travel insurance, as with life or a box of chocolates, you sometimes never know what you’re gonna get. But if you’re mindful of the basics, it can be a lot more predictable than you might think.
... Be sure what you’re buying is actually insurance and not a waiver plan, urges travel insurance agent Steve Dasseos of travel insurance comparison site TripInsuranceStore.com. A pre-departure waiver plan from a travel supplier is “more a promise to pay in certain circumstances,” he says, but since it’s not actually insurance your state’s insurance department can’t help you if you have a dispute.
Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Here's the good news: travel insurance covers more than it used to. Since I first wrote about trip insurance in Frommer's Fly Safe, Fly Smart in 2001, travel insurers have come up with policies that protect you if you lose your job, if you're ordered to work instead of taking a vacation, and even policies that let you "cancel for any reason." (Those last ones are pretty popular.) Waivers of pre-existing conditions can let smart shoppers prevent their claims from being denied.
The bad news is, travel insurance is more complicated than ever. With so many options, and with policies written in a language that only sometimes resembles English, it can be nightmare figuring out what you actually need.
"I don't know how people without insurance backgrounds figure out insurance," said Steve Dasseos, president of TripInsuranceStore.com (www.tripinsurancestore.com).
Need travel insurance? When is it right or you? Erik Hastings (Travel Show Live) interviews Steve Dasseos on Oct. 18, 2009 to get the answers:
"Yes, we've saved the best for last. And, I'm not being facetious on this ..."
Cruise Vacations: Debunking Travel Myths
Deals and Tips on Planning a Cruise Vacation for the Family
By Tom Dwywer and Susan Wagner
Myth No. 1: Cruises Are Expensive:
How do you know when you need travel insurance? Steve Dasseos, founder of The Trip Insurance Store, a boutique travel insurance company, said, "If you have the potential for a big financial loss by cancelling your cruise for any reason, you probably should get insurance."
But not everyone needs the same kind of travel insurance, which is why you should consult with a broker, Dasseos said. "If one is going to the Caribbean, that's one kind of insurance; if you're going to Mongolia, that's another kind of insurance," he said.
Date: 08/10/2009
By Serenity J. Knutson, Editor in Chief, PlannerWire
... Among all the other items to check off the risk management checklist, do you know if you’re taken care of when you’re traveling for international meetings? How about your attendees? Health emergencies and injuries can occur anywhere, at any moment, and you might be surprised how many people are not familiar with the details of their insurance policies when it comes to matters of foreign medical care.
Steve Dasseos, president of www.TripInsuranceStore.com, outlines the top four potential problem areas that an individual could encounter if hospitalized outside of the United States:
They could have very little or no coverage outside the USA.
If they have coverage, their health insurance plan might not be able to advance payment to a medical facility for a large claim, which means they might have to pay for it all.
Their regular insurance company might not pay for an emergency medical evacuation or transportation.
Their regular insurance company might not have a 24-hour emergency assistance help line.
"The individual will want to find out the maximum they would have to pay out of pocket if they needed medical treatment," Dasseos says. "Chances are they will be out of network."
The name of the plan can be a giveaway. Is it a "protection" plan or a "travel insurance" plan? There’s an important difference. Insurance is regulated by your state, according to Steve Dasseos, president of TripInsuranceStore.com. Trip protection isn't. A clever travel agent may refer to a protection policy as "insurance" but the contract will tell you otherwise. "The phrase 'travel insurance' is tossed around, making it sound like every type of protection plan is a real insurance plan," he says. It isn’t.
Buying travel insurance is more important -- and more complicated -- than ever. Here's what to look for.
Pre-Existing Conditions
It's possible to get your pre-existing conditions covered under many trip-cancellation plans, however. The rules vary from insurer to insurer, but most require you to buy your policy in a set time frame -- often, within seven to 21 days of your initial trip payment. You also will have to insure all of your prepaid, nonrefundable costs and be able to travel on the day you bought the policy.
"If you're not able to travel today, but your doctor says you should be able to by your departure date, that isn't going to work," says Steve Dasseos, president of TripInsuranceStore.com, which features plans from a handful of insurers.
With the combination of political unrest, financial troubles of major tour operators and airlines, and the prevalence of nonrefundable airline tickets, more travelers have purchased travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen events that may impact their plans.
There are several different types of travel insurance policies available, ranging from trip cancellation insurance to emergency medical evacuation, all of which vary widely by company in what their coverage includes and how much it costs.
Make sure you know exactly what your policy will and will not cover before you purchase anything...
Some travel insurers are now offering comprehensive "cancel for any reason" policies. You can find more information on several such policies at TripInsuranceStore.com.
Travel insurance can save your trip
by Asa Aarons Tuesday, May 13th 2008, 10:48 AM
Whether you need travel insurance depends on the answer to one simple question: Can you afford to lose the money you've invested in a trip?
Obviously, the answer depends on a host of reasons. That includes the cost of the airfare, the duration of the trip, the deposits you've made, the location you plan to visit, the stability of your home and work life, and your finances.
It may be prudent to pass on travel insurance if you're traveling alone on a $200 flight. But cancellation or interruption insurance is all but essential if you're planning a month-long tour of Europe with your spouse and children.
The key is to weigh the potential cost of changing or canceling all the reservations you've made against the cost of a travel insurance policy that offers the specific protection you need.
Travel insurance can prevent you from losing nonrefundable portions of your air, hotel and other prepaid or expected expenses. Most policies repay you if you or a travel companion become too sick to travel. And you can get your money back if your airline goes out of business, someone in your family gets sick or dies, a disaster makes your home uninhabitable or the area you're scheduled to visit has severe weather.
Travel Insurance policies don't cover everything. That includes your loss of enjoyment if it rains the whole week you planned to spend at the beach. Nor will travel insurance reimburse you if:
- A cruise line changes the route. You aren't covered if you get a trip, even if it's not the one you want. - There is an uncomplicated pregnancy or childbirth. Medical emergencies are exceptions. - You suffer from nervous or psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety. - There are changes in your financial circumstance resulting from a job loss. - You are taking free or promotional trips, including ones bought with frequent-flier miles.
Some policies don't cover preexisting medical conditions, so if that's an important feature, then shop around. Good sources of information: www.tripinsurancestore.com (Trip Insurance Store) let you compare the cost and coverage offered by multiple providers.
Asa Aarons is an Emmy Award-winning consumer reporter. His special Daily News column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Send your questions to Just Ask Asa, P.O. Box 3310, New York, N.Y. 10116. You can also contact him on his Web site at Just Ask Asa! (www.JustAskAsa.com) or via e-mail (Asa@JustAskAsa.com).
Travel insurance ideas for canceled flights
On 7online.com (WABC) Thursday, April 10, 2008 | 5:43 PM Eyewitness News NEW YORK
Hundreds of flights canceled over last week. (WABC) -- Is there anything you can do to protect yourself from canceled flights?
An estimated 250,000 travelers have been stranded this week alone.
Eyewitness News' Kemberly Richardson took a look at travel insurance and if it's worth your money.
Despite the current shaky state of things with the airline industry, there's something many travelers say they wish they had purchased but never thought they'd use. Travel insurance.
Some experts say insurance can be just what you need to get to your final destination but there are lots of do's and don'ts.
"Never, never books insurance through the company you are traveling with. If the tour operator goes belly up or the cruise goes belly up and you bought insurance with them, you've lost the insurance too," said Pauline Frommer with Pauline Frommer Guides. Frommer says instead, buy insurance from a third party.
Put in a few details and get instant quotes. The price of your ticket may also dictate whether you buy insurance.
Travel plans down the road? Make sure you have a policy which covers default. With a growing number of airlines going bankrupt, recently Aloha and ATA, buying insurance directly from your travel agent is also a good idea but remember to read the fine print and watch the price quotes.
If you're clear about what's not covered, insurance can be a life saver
By Jana Jones Cruise writer Updated: June 15, 2007
... The Trip Insurance Store is an online insurance agency that also allows you to book your protection right from the site, but offers so much information in such a clear and concise manner that we found it to be one of the best Web sites we have ever visited. Not only can you compare the coverage of several travel insurance providers side by side, each covered component is described and explained in a manner that makes it easy to understand. We applaud and appreciate that, since the choices and conditions can be overwhelming. Another thing we liked about the Trip Insurance Store is that there are live agents you can call toll free to clarify any questions you might have.
To travel to some destinations abroad, some insurance is always a good idea (such as trip cancellation, for instance). To others, medical evacuation insurance may spring to mind (in countries with limited medical facilities, for instance). Be sure to consider one or more of the following possibilities and prepare accordingly.
Check your existing insurance policies before you buy travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, medical expenses, or car rental insurance. You're likely to have partial or complete coverage. The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip and your age. More dangerous activities may be excluded from basic policies.
Comparison shop. Travel insurance is not bulletproof. There is a dizzying array of policies on the market, wrapped in enough fine print to give anyone brain freeze. Get buying tips, and compare plans at www.TripInsuranceStore.com ...
More people are getting travel insurance. Here's what it covers, what it doesn't and why you might want it, too.
By Joanna L. Krotz
Town & Country Travel, Fall 2003
Page 75: Compare Policies, Benefit By Benefit On-line resources now make it easier to check the fine print. Broker sites like www.TripInsuranceStore.com offer instant quotes from reliable insurers.
Page 76:
Picking A Policy To find the best plan, mix and match options at on-line brokerages like www.TripInsuranceStore.com.
...Consumers can comparison shop travel insurance vendors on such Internet sites as www.TripInsuranceStore.com. "What these sites do is allow you to put in all your trip parameters, and then it will show you who gives you the closest to the coverage you are asking for and what the pricing would be for your particular trip..
Third-party insurance is a wise option. If you purchase a cruise line's or tour operator's own insurance and the company goes belly-up, you're stuck. Paying for your trip with a credit card also is smart. If you've charged your trip to a credit card and the company defaults, you can recoup your money through the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, which permits you to dispute the charge. Avoid purchasing cancellation waivers if they are offered by cruise lines or tour operators. Cancellation waivers are not regulated by state departments of insurance and may not protect you.
Before sending the kids off to camp or on teen trips, check your health insurance policy. Some plans won't cover emergency-room visits outside your area. Others won't cover helicopter evacuations. If your plan has restrictions, ask the camp or tour what it covers, says Lori Donnelly Elm, a medical claims specialist. If summer programs leave your child unprotected, visit www.TripInsuranceStore.com for information about supplemental short-term travel insurance, which costs around $50 for 30 days.
Weighing the risks amid the SARS crisis
By Dawn Matus (INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE) Friday, April 4, 2003
TOKYO: ...Travelers worried about contracting SARS on the road may want to check their insurance. Steve Dasseos, who owns the online travel insurance company www.TripInsuranceStore.com, advises people to find out whether the illness would be covered under the medical portion of their policy, and also to familiarize themselves with exclusions, which can be numerous.
"To avoid any unpleasant surprises, people should definitely find out exactly what coverage the company they are considering will have for SARS," Dasseos said.
With more infections and deaths due to SARS being reported each day, the number of travelers to affected areas in Asia is sliding. But for people who do travel in the region now, there is an upside: bargain prices. Travel agencies are offering discounts to lure buyers, and even as airlines cut flights in response to falling demand, some are also advertising special fares.
Dawn Matus is a journalist in Tokyo.
Missing a flight just got riskier, but travel insurance could give you a little more security.
By KELLY GREENE
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
"As of Oct. 1, the major airlines started requiring passengers with nonrefundable tickets to notify them if you don't plan on taking a scheduled trip. In the past, you would simply get a credit for up to a year. But now, you must immediately rebook a new flight and pay a $100 change fee. If you don't call before your flight, the ticket loses all its value....
There are a few things to watch out for, says Steve Dasseos, a travel insurance broker in Minneapolis who sells about 225 policies a week to cover (just) nonrefundable tickets through his Web site (www.TripInsuranceStore.com). If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you need to buy coverage as soon as possible after you book the trip. Most insurers have a tight window of as little as six days after you purchase your plane ticket for doing so. And if you're traveling with a large family group, make sure you read the fine print. Some insurers say that you can cancel only if something happens to an immediate family member or your caregiver, no matter who else is traveling as part of the group; others say the entire group can cancel if anyone in the group needs to back out. Some companies even use different rules for different plans, depending on their cost, he adds."
Kelly Greene is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and for Encore, the Journal's guide to life after 55.
What If Your Airline Or Cruise Firm Fails?
September 1, 2002 Personal Business -- The Wall Street Journal Sunday.
By ERNEST BECK
"Do online research...check insurance brokers such as www.TripInsuranceStore.com to compare prices and policies."
What Price to Travel With Peace of Mind?
By ERNEST BECK
August 4, 2002 Personal Business -- The Wall Street Journal Sunday.
"Another tip: shop around. Trawl the Internet for policies and prices, and use insurance-broker sites -- such as ... www.TripInsuranceStore.com -- that compare policies. Mr. Hunter of the Consumer Federation also advises being wary of buying insurance from travel agents. "Go directly to the source -- the insurance company or a broker, where you can get competitive bids," he says.
Flight Insurance Offers Reassurance
By Andrea Coombes, CBS MarketWatch.com July 10, 2002
"On the flight insurance I sell, it covers you for as many flights as you take from the time you leave home till the time you return," Dasseos said. "Some of the others are cheap because it only covers you per flight."
"Business at www.TripInsuranceStore.com increased after the LA Airport shutdown, said Steve Dasseos, the site's owner. But it's important to buy the insurance before you start your travels, Dasseos said. Flight insurance bought after the first leg of your journey won't apply to that trip.
Check on Insurance Coverage Before Kids Head Off to Camp
By LYNN ASINOF
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
June 20, 2002
"But there are lots of exclusions, like injuries from extreme sports, says Steve Dasseos of www.TripInsuranceStore.com, Minneapolis. So read the policies carefully to make sure you are getting coverage you need."
Ready to Order? It's easy (and safe) to order online or over the telephone - just call Deanna, Becky, Mary, Teresa or Steve toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854.
PS - Even though TripInsuranceStore.com is world's the most informative travel insurance website, you are still responsible to know what's in your policy's Certificate of Coverage. Click here to get each plan's Certificate of Coverage.
By Christopher Elliott, on 
Asa Aarons Interviews Steve Dasseos on Blog Talk Radio:
Travel insurance ideas for canceled flights
Buying Peace of Mind
