Protect Yourself With Travel Insurance Policy

Everybody eagerly looks forward to his or her next vacation. From choosing the destination to selecting the hotels, planning for the next vacation seems to be a favorite pastime for most people. After all, a trip once a year rejuvenates you physically and mentally and prepares you to withstand the stress of everyday life through the whole year ahead.

But all your excitement and all the meticulous planning can go astray if something unpleasant and unexpected happens during your vacation. 

Just imagine the shock and panic if one member of your family or travel group suddenly needs emergency medical attention. Or what if your luggage and all your important documents get lost? What happens if natural calamity leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere? How will you cope if all flights are cancelled indefinitely following natural, political or other kinds of disturbances?

All these situations are extremely difficult to manage, at home let alone in a foreign country. But you can better cope with these emergency situations without letting all the money that went into paying the air tickets, hotels etc. go to waste by purchasing a travel insurance policy. If you are under the protective coverage of travel insurance, you do not have to stress about the unexpected. Once you are armed with travel insurance you can be rest assured of 24-hour emergency assistance services.

Here are some situations where a travel insurance plan can come to your rescue:

Medical emergency - You will not be covered by your usual health insurance beyond a certain territorial limit. So a medical emergency outside your coverage area means a huge expenditure. International travel insurance usually provides coverage for medical and dental expenses and emergency medical transportation.

Natural calamity - You have invested a considerable amount of money in your vacation and now every thing seems to be going to waste, now that your vacation is spoilt due to a natural calamity or very harsh weather conditions. Though the vacation is ruined does not mean you have to suffer monetarily too as the travel insurance will take cover all your financial losses.

Loss of belongings - You may find yourself in an unfortunate situation where you fall prey to muggers in a foreign city. You lose all your identity documents and you have not a penny in your pocket. In such cases international travel insurance provides you with an Identity Theft Protection that includes recovery services, lost ticket and passport assistance, translation services and emergency and cash transfer assistance.

So as soon as you have decided on your next vacation, purchase your travel insurance too right away. It will allow you to enjoy your vacation with peace of mind because you know the insurance company will take care of everything else for you.

What To Pack When Traveling

With today's heightened security in airports, it is perfectly natural to want to have your luggage with you when you travel. You want to be certain everything you packed for your business trip or vacation arrives intact, and vigilance can guarantee that. For extended trips, however, travelers are likely to pack more, ultimately forcing them to check in some of their luggage.It is important, therefore, to know what to keep with you at all times when you travel, and how to pack a case that must be loaded into a plane's cargo until you arrive at your destination.

In the event your luggage should be lost, it is necessary to keep the most important items with you at all times.

Identification: Your passport, your driver's license, any and all picture ID cards should remain on your person. When you pass through airport security you will be required to have identification ready for inspection, and it is important that is stays with you and is not packed away in a case that won't be readily at your disposal. If you are traveling abroad and are using a passport, be sure to make copies of the identification page in the event your passport is lost or stolen.

Keep one copy with a relative or friend at home, and keep extra copies with you in different places so you will have one ready if needed.Insurance cards are also necessary to have on you, in the event of a medical emergency or accident (especially if you are renting a car for your trip).

Money: This includes paper, traveler's checks, and credit cards. In this age of electronic transfer, you might not think it necessary to carry traveler's checks, but they are good to have if you are going abroad. Always remember the possibility that foreign ATMs might not accept American bank cards, same with certain stores and restaurants. A short supply of paper currency (no more than a hundred dollars) is good to have also for immediate money exchange once you reach your destination.

It always helps, too, to have a few dollar bills handy for tipping. Keep a few dollars in your pocket to pass over to a clerk or valet when needed. This prevents you from having to dig in your purse or wallet in a crowd.

Itinerary: Know where you need to go quickly. Have a small map, itinerary, or direction sheet with you to expedite the arrival at your hotel. Whether traveling domestically or overseas, you want to appear confident and inconspicuous so as not to catch the eye of any possible scam artists who prey upon out-of-towners. If you are unsure of where you need to be, seek assistance at the first information booth immediately.

Clothing: Consider the trip, the places you plan to visit and the length of your absence from home. How many changes of clothing are necessary, and what types of clothing can you expect to wear? Sometimes, you might find you have packed too much for a trip, resulting in wrinkled clothing upon arrival. Or, you might find you have packed too many formal items for a trip that didn't require it.Before you open your suitcase, determine exactly what is on the itinerary. Consult weather reports for your destination and, if possible, research attractions and restaurants for any dress requirements. If you are headed to an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, you might find all you need is your swimsuit and one nice outfit! Check with your hotel in advance, too, to determine what laundry services are available or nearby. You may be able to pack half as much if you have such access.

Accessories: Do you really need to pack an iron? Can you live a few weeks without your laptop? Despite the gadgetry designed to make our lives easier, it is not difficult to find that too many gadgets on a short trip will prove to be aggravating. Thankfully, as hotels evolve even the "economy" accommodations offer enough amenities so travelers need not pack everything and the kitchen sink. Coffee makers, irons, hair dryers, and other home necessities are made available, though it is always a good idea to check with your hotel to see what is offered and what is not. For those traveling overseas, if you need to take electrical appliances, make sure you have the proper adapters so the plugs will fit.

Personal Grooming: When we forget things like soap and shampoos, those little bottles at the hotel are a blessing, yet you might not feel there is enough to suit your needs. Does this mean you should pack economy size bottles of everything? While the large bottles are nice, they are not always necessary for a trip, and sometimes those bottles can prove dangerous. Packed with clothing, there is always the risk of damage, and opening your suitcase to find every outfit soaked with mouthwash and smelling minty fresh.

Determine what essentials you need to pack - shampoo, makeup, toothpaste, etc. - and pack in a suitcase with a separate compartment. Medium size plastic bottles, no more than ten fluid ounces, is a good gauge. Make sure the bottles are not completely filled, in the event of temperature changes in cargo that may cause the plastic to expand or burst. Better yet, pack all bottles in an extra plastic bag to help ensure protection from leaks.Knowing what to pack and how much is beneficial to your enjoying a vacation. The less encumbered you are by luggage, the less worry of damage, theft, or loss.