I admit, I've never purchased travel insurance. But in today's travel environment, there are more uncertainties, including our own Mt. Redoubt.
Our own backyard volcano has focused some attention on the how easily a well-crafted trip can come apart at the seams.
Vera Crews was a travel agent for many years--and offered her clients travel insurance, especially when they were going on an expensive vacation.
She also purchased insurance for her own trips. Once, while headed for a cruise, the airline insisted that she check her carry-on bag. You know the story: it did not arrive before she got on the cruise ship in Galveston, Texas.
So, she bought supplies along the way that she needed and contacted Travel Guard, the insurance provider, when she returned.
At first, they asked for receipts to document the expenses. "I told them that I bought the clothes in Mexico and they didn't offer receipts," she said.
Travel Guard paid the claim--and Crews received her bag after returning from her cruise.
On another trip, Crews had to change her return flight and Alaska Airlines levied a $50 charge--which Travel Guard paid.
I have a saying: travel surprises make me cranky. But sometimes they can make you sick! That happened to Crews while flying back home from Mexico.
"I just couldn't make the last leg of the trip from San Francisco home to Alaska," she lamented. "I was feeling terrible."
Travel Guard advised her to see a doctor--and they paid for the appointment. As it turned out, Travel Guard would have paid for a replacement ticket back to Anchorage--but she already had made other plans.
Because of her own experiences, Crews now sells Travel Guard insurance and is a licensed travel insurance agent in Alaska.
" I think it's worthwhile to have insurance," she said. "I probably buy it on every trip I take."
Naturally, there are terms and conditions that come with any insurance policy--and the travel insurance game is no different.
"Your age is one factor of the cost of the policy," said Crews. "Now that I'm older, there are more reasons why my trip could be interrupted or canceled," she said.
On April 6, Travel Guard upgraded their insurance coverage for their four levels: Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum. One of the new features includes a provision for layoffs and job loss.
Other features include reimbursement for baggage delay (not just loss), as well as expenses for missed connections and medical expenses. There also optional add-ons for blanket medical coverage, including emergency Medevac transportation.
Most of the differences in the plans, which typically cost between $35-$70, is in the maximum amount of reimbursement.
How about the volcano? Carol Mueller, a spokesperson for Travel Guard, said she recommends travel insurance whether you're coming to Alaska or trying to get out-of-state. In addition to basic trip interruption coverage, Travel Guard also offers assistance around-the-clock to find alternative flights, accommodations--or even an English-speaking doctor if you're outside the U.S.
Like many other types of bundled, comprehensive insurance, each claim is handled on a case-by-case basis, which is why it's tough to offer a simple answer for Mt. Redoubt eruptions, said Mueller.
That said, Travel Guard is the nation's largest travel insurance provider--servicing more than 6,000,000 travelers last year. Insurance providers are looking at realistic expectations on how to best accommodate policyholders for this ongoing problem. We'll follow up on this one.
Online resources:
Vera Crews. Vera is a good resource for information on travel insurance. Talk to her about cruises, to. Or piano lessons! www.veracrews.com
Travel Guard. Check the website and learn more about available coverage for air fare, tours, cruises and expeditions. www.travelguard.com