Many trip cancellation and interruption policies also provide coverage for lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags...And this is especially necessary if you're flying overseas and checking bags. Why? Because of a nasty little thing called the Warsaw Convention.. The old Warsaw Convention limits liability to approximately $9.07 per pound for checked baggage and $400 per passenger for unchecked baggage. Do the math. If you're only allowed 44 pounds of baggage as a coach passenger, you're not getting a fat check.
But if you're just flying between U.S. cities and think you have no need for a larger trip cancellation and interruption policy, you may think you are simply covered by the airlines' published limits of liability when it comes to lost, stolen, delayed or damaged bags.
Indeed, at least on the surface, it seems like you're covered. As of Feb. 28, 2007, U.S. airlines' liability for lost or damaged luggage increased to $3,000 per passenger from the current limit of $2,800. Sounds good, right? Well, let's talk about that limit in realistic terms: First, there's an entire list of excluded items not covered (jewels, furs, negotiable financial documents, et al), and then there's something called....depreciation. The airlines may have a $3,000 liability limit, but that limit is not per bag, it's per incident, and it's all based on depreciated value. Hardly anyone in the history of aviation has ever received $3,000.
But there's a little known insurance provision you've probably never heard about. And the airlines aren't exactly rushing to tell you about it. In fact, not one single airline even advertises this provision, even though it's available to every single passenger. It's something called "excess valuation."
When you get to the airport, ask the counter agent for this little known option called“excess valuation.” It provides up to $5,000 additional coverage, at a rate of about $1 per $100 in value. If you purchase excess valuation, you will be asked to describe the contents of the bag. It’s well worth it if the airline does lose your bags.
Non-refundable insurance
Some policies also offer straight coverage if you buy the non-refundable airline ticket and then can't use it and don't want to be hit with the minimum $100 change fee. This runs about $13 per $100 of coverage. An expensive premium, but still worth it if you really think you might have to change your trip once you purchase your ticket.
Golf travel insurance
Some travel insurances provide golf equipment loss, golf equipment delay, golf fee refund.
Adventure/extreme sports travel
In most cases, there are exclusions on basic travel insurance when it comes to adventure travel. That means specifications on how high is the mountain you’re climbing, and how far are you scuba diving. However, third-party travel insurance can offer additional coverage for adventure and extreme sports, even professional sporting events can be covered, but it will cost you.
Credit card coverage
If you book your trip on a credit card, you may already be covered in many cases. But more often than not, your basic credit card coverage will be limited to flight accident insurance, rental car insurance or limited baggage insurance. Be sure to read your card's terms and conditions, or call your credit card provider's toll-free line for guidance.
Terrorism tips
Read the policy wording carefully. If war breaks out, or there is a terrorist act, are there clauses that essentially void your policy? Very few policies cover trip cancellation for reasons of any kind. Most policies now include "force majeure" clauses. For example, most policies now still cover trip cancellation if the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning. Also many policies only cover you for your trip if an act of terrorism occurs in the specific country you're traveling to or from. And they set limits on how close an attack has to be to your destination before it goes into effect. You generally must buy the policy before violence erupts to be covered. But almost all policies will not cover any losses caused by war or threat of war.
Call and talk to the agency personally, ask them the specific questions you have before your trip, to put your mind at ease. Some insurance plans cover you only if a travel company formally files for bankruptcy protection. (Not every policy covers every bankruptcy.) Other policies leave it up to the U.S. State Department, law enforcement agencies or news media outlets - not you - to define what constitutes a terrorist attack, foreign or domestic.
Understand that most insurance policies won't cover last-minute anxiety. After the Sept. 11 attacks, for example, some insurance companies reimbursed customers who canceled trips because they were afraid to fly. While the companies felt it was the right thing to do, it's unlikely the insurer will do it again.
To buy, or not to buy?
Compare the cost of the trip versus the cost of the policy. If you just bought a $200 airline ticket, is that worth covering? If you paid for it with a credit card, and the airline ceases to operate before your flight, you're already covered - under federal credit laws - by your own credit card company, since you bought or contracted for a service which you didn't get.
Look for a policy with a travel insurer that is independent from your tour operator and is licensed by your state. Many cruise lines and tour operators offer insurance, often at lower premiums than those charged by outside insurers. But if the cruise line or tour company goes out of business, there may not be money to cover your claim.
If flight or cruise delays make you want to cancel, you may be out of luck. Read the fine print, as with some policies, more than half of your vacation has to be delayed before you can cancel and be covered.
Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
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