SUMMER OLYMPICS 2008: GO FOR THE GOLD WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE FROM INSUREMYTRIP.COM
WARWICK, RI, June 11, 2008—Olympic athletes aren’t the only ones facing challenges at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China this summer. Spectators traveling to the Games in August may have a few trials of their own as well. The obstacle course of travel delays, detours, and cancellations, public health issues, and the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in central China have made travel to Beijing a marathon event. The race can be won though with advance planning and preparation that includes travel insurance to protect against these types of risks.
“Headlines have been rife with reports of Beijing’s extreme air pollution levels, and travel notices are in effect for hand, foot and mouth disease, as well as avian flu,” says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site. “Understandably, travelers heading to China this summer have many concerns for their health and well being while they’re abroad. Our customers want to know ‘Am I covered if I become ill or injured while I’m there?’ and ‘What kind of insurance provides the protection I need?’.”
“Travel medical insurance is a ‘must have’ for anyone spending time abroad because it provides coverage where many traditional healthcare plans leave off,” explains Grace. Many national healthcare plans provide limited coverage for their members when they travel outside the U.S. and some don’t provide any coverage at all. Additionally, most healthcare plans do not provide coverage for medical evacuation, which is very important for travelers to have in case of an unexpected injury or illness.
“It’s important to first check with your healthcare provider before venturing outside the U.S. to learn exactly how your policy will respond in the event of a medical emergency,” advises Grace. “Even if you have some international coverage on your domestic health insurance policy, travel insurance should always be considered. Typically, if you have a medical emergency overseas, your U.S. health insurer is ill equipped to help which leaves you on your own.” Two types of policies offer the most comprehensive benefits for overseas travelers:
- Travel Medical: International travel medical insurance policies provide medical coverage for travel up to a year in length as well as coverage for medical evacuation.
- Medical Evacuation: This coverage can be purchased as a stand alone policy or it is often included in other travel policies. It provides evacuation to the nearest appropriate care facility or, in some cases, to your hospital of choice depending on the company and plan.
For those most concerned about risks to the financial investment side of their travels, you may want to consider Trip Cancellation Package Policies. These policies offer comprehensive coverage including travel medical and evacuation protection. One of the top reasons travelers purchase insurance is concern over losing the financial investment in a trip. For a fraction of your trip cost, Trip Cancellation insurance is a smart investment to make in case you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip, or travel delays or interruptions interfere with your itinerary.
- Trip Cancellation Package Polices: These policies are designed for travelers going on a single trip. Most offer trip cancellation, baggage, medical, dental, emergency evacuation, 24 hour traveler assistance, baggage delay, travel delay, and accidental death coverage.
InsureMyTrip.com allows consumers to review, rate, compare, analyze and purchase travel insurance from all the leading U.S. travel insurance companies in a completely secure environment. To learn more about the protection plans that best suit your travel needs, visit www.InsureMyTrip.com online or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step help in selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s professional Customer Care representatives are waiting for your call.
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About InsureMyTrip.com
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip.com is the leading, consumer-oriented online travel insurance aggregator worldwide. Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip.com is a unique, one-stop resource designed to meet consumers’ comprehensive travel insurance needs all in a secure environment. InsureMyTrip.com also specializes in providing integrated technology solutions for the travel insurance industry, with over 2,000 private-labeled and co-branded travel-related websites around the globe. InsureMyTrip.com is headquartered in Warwick, RI with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.