InsureMyTrip News

WARWICK, RI, November 6, 2012—According to the Farmers’ Almanac long-term forecast, temperatures will be much colder this winter, from the East Coast westward to a line from the Dakotas to Texas, so be sure to bundle before you trundle home for the holidays.  Frigid temps any time are rarely popular, but during the busiest travel season of the year, they can only spell trouble. From icing planes and runways, to blinding blizzards and vicious winds, winter weather is truly a force to be reckoned with, so don’t take any chances. This holiday season, get travel insurance and protect your trip to Grandma’s.

“Travel insurance provides significant coverage for some of the most common travel risks including severe weather, delays and missed connections, sudden illness, and lost baggage,” says Jim Grace, President of InsureMyTrip.com. “Purchasing travel insurance protection is important but selecting the best policy to meet your needs and concerns is critical.” Whether you’re a first-time travel insurance consumer or a veteran customer, the following guidelines can help you through the choosing and buying process.

1. Know what you most want to protect: From your travel investment to your personal health, travel insurance can provide the coverage you need when you need it most.
2. Know what you have: Travel insurance protects many things that are not covered by credit cards, homeowner policies, and healthcare plans. Know what you have then research and compare the coverages available.
3. Buy sooner than later: Trip Cancellation Package Policies offer the broadest protection, including coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and travel delay, as well as medical and emergency evacuation. To receive the most benefit from the travel insurance policy including financial default protection and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, the majority of the policies require that you purchase your policy within 10 to 30 days of your First Trip Payment.
4. Protect your baggage: Current data estimates that 30 million bags are mishandled each year as a result of airport congestion, reduced flight availability, and mounting baggage volumes. Remember to protect your bags during the busy travel season with a comprehensive Package Policy including coverage for baggage.
5. Take control of your travel: Travel insurance affords many options to help you manage your travels. “Cancel For Any Reason” is one such optional benefit that empowers travelers to cancel trips for any reason of their choosing including schedule conflicts,  bad weather, even a case of the flu. This coverage varies by company and must be purchased within 10-30 days of your First Trip Payment.

Wherever and whenever you are traveling, travel insurance is a prudent investment and your best defense against many of the most common travel risks. To learn more about the protection plans that can make all your holiday travels shiny and bright, visit www.insuremytrip.com or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance representative. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is the leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, October 16, 2012—Despite a chilling start—Costa Concordia and norovirus outbreaks come to mind—cruise vacations in 2012 are climbing the popularity charts with travelers of all ages.  From river cruises to cuisine cruises to the more familiar Caribbean cruise, there’s no shortage of floating vacations to choose from. But whether you opt for spirited adventure on the high seas or restful and tranquil sailing, remember to protect your trip from things that go bump in the night with travel insurance.

“Statistically, cruises are considered one of the safest forms of travel, but oftentimes things can and do go wrong,” says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip. “For protection against the unexpected, travel insurance is truly a traveler’s best friend.” Just like cruises and friends however, there are different kinds of insurance and choosing which one is right for you can be daunting. To clear up some of the mystery, InsureMyTrip investigated the top five travel insurance myths and compiled a list of best practices for protecting all your nautical vacations:

1. I Don’t Need It, Nothing Will Go Wrong: Though we hope never to use or need it, travel insurance can provide a tremendous amount of security and peace of mind for a small fraction of the cost of your trip. Travel insurance provides coverage for a wide-range of travel risks including:

• Trip cancellation (if you have to cancel)
• Trip interruption (if your travels are brought to an unexpected end while on your trip)
• Medical coverage (if you need emergency medical coverage or an augmentation of your current health benefits)
• Medical evacuation protection (air ambulance service)

2. All Insurance Plans Are the Same: There are hundreds of insurance policies to choose from and just like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. The key is to compare, compare, compare. Shop around to get the best plan for your needs at the right price. InsureMyTrip.com offers side-by-side comparisons of policies and prices to help you make smart purchasing decisions quickly and easily.

3. There’s No Best Time to Buy Insurance: The early bird isn’t the only one rewarded for his timely action. To receive the most benefit from your travel insurance policy and be eligible for optional benefits like Cancel For Any Reason and Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, purchase your policy within 10 to 30 days of your First Trip Payment.

4. I Get All the Protection I Need with Insurance from the Cruise Line: Insurance from a third-party source is easy to buy but more importantly, it offers 1) greater choice of plans, 2) enhanced protection coverage, including Financial Default protection and Missed Connection benefits and 3) better reimbursement benefits that provide financial reimbursement for canceled trips rather than a cruise voucher or credit.

5. All of My Medical Needs Can Be Managed Onboard: It’s true that all cruise ships have fully equipped medical facilities and staff onboard to handle most emergencies, still, medical evacuations –transporting a passenger from the ship to a hospital on shore– occurs more often than we realize. The cost of a typical evacuation to the nearest, but not necessarily quality-care hospital, can quickly exceed the limited coverage offered by most cruise lines and leave you with a hefty balance to pay. Medical evacuation policies offering up to $2 million coverage can be purchased from InsureMyTrip as a stand alone policy or a benefit included in comprehensive 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.

To learn more about the protection plans that best suit your cruise 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 assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, September 13, 2012—Following the recent attack on the U.S. Diplomatic mission in Benghazi, the Department of State is warning U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya. If you have plans to travel there or another ‘hot’ area in the future, now is the time to review the provisions of your travel protection policy.
InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site, has experts standing by to review, interpret, and explain the benefits of coverage you’ve purchased from us or another company. “Having a policy in place is a great first step,” says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip, “but knowing beyond a doubt that you have the right protection is critical.”
InsureMyTrip.com’s team of licensed and knowledgeable insurance representatives can help you understand what you have and/or if your policy provides all the benefits you need. “Not all travel insurance policies cover all events.  We want travelers to understand what they have purchased and what may be the best protection for their trip given recent events and their potential for impacting travel.”
To learn more about the protection plan you have, call (800) 487-4722 to speak with one of our licensed travel insurance professionals, or email us at customercare@insuremytrip.com. InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, August 30, 2012—When Deepak Chopra said “All great changes are preceded by chaos,” he could have been talking about hurricanes and travel insurance. The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history with two Category 5 storms so devastating their names are instantly recognizable: Katrina and Wilma.

As a result, 2006 was a year of change for the travel insurance industry and InsureMyTrip.com. “The 2005 hurricane season was a wake up call for the industry,” explains Jim Grace, President and CEO of the online travel insurance comparison site, InsureMyTrip.com.  “Prior to that time, weather-related insurance for travelers was mostly limited to protection if your airline or cruise line ceased operating due to severe weather.  The damage and destruction brought on by the 2005 storms was a call to action for change, to work harder to protect people better.”

Since then, several new benefits have resulted creating insurance products that serve the practical needs of travelers impacted by hurricanes.

Cancellation due to Hurricane Warning: if your destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning some plans recognize this as a covered reason for canceling the trip.

Destination made Uninhabitable: limited to just a few plans prior to 2005, this benefit which allows trip cancellation if your hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated by a storm, is a standard for most companies today.

Primary Residence made Uninhabitable: the wrath of Katrina reminded us it’s not just about being able to get where you’re going but also whether or not you’re able to leave if your own home sustains destructive damage.

Cancel For Any Reason: an optional benefit that supports ‘traveler’s choice’ allows you to decide whether or not to cancel your trip.

InsureMyTrip Hurricane Information Center:  Since 2006 InsureMyTrip has posted important information about hurricane coverage including how it works and when to buy it. Visit InsureMyTrip.com for up-to-date information and expert assistance.

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 assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

Leading Insurance Comparison Website Empowers Canadian Travellers

WARWICK, RI, June 26, 2012—To travel or not to travel? Often we don’t have a choice unless we’re willing to forfeit the trip investment, but for every Canadian who’s ever dreamt of having the final word on travel, that’s about to change.  Cancel for Any Reason travel protection is available now at InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site worldwide.

Brand new to the Canadian travel market, Cancel for Any Reason is an optional benefit that empowers travellers to cancel trips for any reason of their choosing up to two days prior to departure. Simply put, with Cancel for Any Reason you decide whether or not to cancel your trip.

The combination of a challenged economy, skyrocketing fuel costs, and multiplying airline woes, has created a powerful triumvirate of problems that are impacting travellers in many different ways. Available from several InsureMyTrip.com insurance providers Cancel for Any Reason empowers travellers to cancel trips for any reason of their choosing including schedule conflicts, bad weather, or even a change of heart, up to two days prior to departure.

Cancel for Any Reason policies vary by company and must be purchased within 15-21 days of your initial trip deposit.

To learn more about the Cancel for Any Reason protection plans now available to Canadian travellers, visit www.insuremytrip.com online or call (800) 551-1337 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. Whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step assistance selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, May 29, 2012—Not that long ago, Canadian residents needing travel insurance coverage for a pre-existing medical condition had to jump through hoops and pay an additional premium to get it.  But that was then and this is now. Today, purchasing all inclusive trip cancellation insurance from InsureMyTrip.com is fast and easy.

Many comprehensive travel insurance policies offer a full complement of benefits including coverage for pre-existing medical conditions that may recur and compel a traveler to cancel their trip. Pre-existing Medical Condition Waivers are a must-have if you have a recent history of health issues, from a heart condition to cancer or concerns about the health of a non-traveling family member. In order to fully take advantage of these waivers however, it’s important to understand some of the purchase requirements and policy terms.

Q.What is a Pre-existing Medical Condition?
A.It is a medical condition, injury, disease, or illness that occurred prior to your date of departure. This condition may apply to you, a traveling companion, family member, or business partner.

Q.What is a ‘look back’ period?
A.This is the number of days that the insurance company will ‘look back’ from the date of your trip departure to see if your claim is related to a pre-existing medical condition.

Q.What is a Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver?
A.Every insurance policy has a pre-existing medical exclusion, meaning that coverage is not available for pre-existing medical conditions. However, five of the All Inclusive Policies now offered through InsureMyTrip for Canadian travelers have a Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver which essentially deletes that exclusion and extends your policy to cover pre-existing condition-related risks.

Q.When is the best time to buy travel insurance to obtain a Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver?
A.To be eligible for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver, you need to purchase your policy within 15 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit and be medically able to travel, regardless of your pre-existing conditions, on the date the policy is purchased. Following these guidelines, pre-existing medical condition waivers become an automatic benefit under the terms of your policy with no additional fees and no separate paper work.

InsureMyTrip.com’s expert Customer Care representatives can help you navigate the complexities of this multi-faceted insurance, whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step guidance in selecting a travel insurance policy.  Representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call (800) 551-1337 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional, or visit www.insuremytrip.com to learn about protection plans that put you in control of your travels.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip) and take us with you wherever you go.

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, May 14, 2012—InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site and Meet, Plan, Go! (MPG), frontrunners in the North American career break movement, are joining forces to help long-term travelers assess and take care of all their travel insurance needs.

For more than a decade, InsureMyTrip.com has helped travelers of all kinds—from honeymooners and families to seniors and students—protect against increasing travel-related risks and gain peace of mind. “We’re an ever-expanding community of diverse travelers with wide-ranging insurance needs and interests,” explained Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com. “So we’re very excited to welcome MPG members into our growing family and help them with their own unique coverage concerns.”

The new multi-pronged partnership which names InsureMyTrip.com as the travel insurance agency of record for Meet, Plan, Go! and its members, includes a number of specialized features such as a dedicated customer service program that focuses on helping career breakers navigate their way through the insurance planning process and make informed decisions based on their particular coverage needs. Licensed insurance representatives trained in long-term travel insurance requisites are available daily to assist at 855-773-9375.

“We are very excited to be partnering with InsureMyTrip,” said Michaela Potter, co-founder of Meet, Plan, Go! “To my knowledge they are the first and only travel insurance company to focus on helping the North American career breaker.” Preparing for a career break or a lengthy leave of absence from work is different for everyone but safeguarding your journey with travel insurance is a must for anyone taking extended travels. “Oftentimes people planning a career break don’t understand the various types of insurance plans they need to consider, including cancellation, evacuation, and even major medical,” Potter explains. “InsureMyTrip understands the challenges involved with planning a career break and they know how to help.”

In addition to the dedicated customer service program InsureMyTrip also provides expert assistance to MPG members via the MPG website with up-to-date, detailed product information and free quotes.  In the coming months the travel protection experts will also be helping MPG members figure out the ‘whats, wheres, whens, and hows,’ of insurance with InsureMyTrip online instructional materials and live presentations at Meet, Plan, Go! premier events.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

About Meet, Plan, Go!:
Meet, Plan, Go! is leading the career break movement in North America; encouraging and teaching others how to travel the world and have it be beneficial to their career. When someone is venturing on such a life changing adventure it’s important for them to have a support community that they can connect with, and Meet, Plan, Go! offers that through in person events, an online course & community, planning tools, and an inspirational blog. For more information visit www.meetplango.com.

WARWICK, RI, January 27, 2012— The Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster has many today doubting the safety of a shipboard vacation, but according to the Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise line association, 16 million of us enjoyed sailing the world’s oceans last year. Statistically, cruises are considered one of the safest forms of travel but you can minimize vacation risks further with these trip protection tips from InsureMyTrip.com:

1. Compare, Compare, Compare: Shop around to get the best plan for your needs at the right price. InsureMyTrip.com offers side-by-side comparisons of policies and prices to help you make smart purchasing decisions quickly and easily.

2. Plan Ahead: To receive the most benefit from your travel insurance policy and be eligible for optional benefits like Cancel for Any Reason and Pre-existing Medical Conditions, purchase the policy within 7 to 15 days of your First Trip Payment.

3. Buy From a Third Party: Typically, if you purchase travel insurance directly through a travel supplier such as an airline, cruise line, or tour operator, you’re unprotected if that travel supplier goes bankrupt or becomes financially insolvent, so it’s always best to purchase your travel insurance protection from a third-party source.

4. Keep Your Receipts: In the event you ever have to file a claim, keep your receipts for everything from pre-paid non-refundable trip costs insured under your policy to doctor’s notes, as well as any receipts incurred from a travel delay such as meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation to/from the airport.

5. 24-hour Traveler Assistance: Providing a host of critical services from processing prescription refills to managing and monitoring itinerary changes, the 24-hour Traveler Assistance program is truly a traveler’s best friend. A value-added benefit included in all travel insurance plans, insured travelers can call the company-provided phone number collect from anywhere in the world and receive special assistance with a wide-range of travel, medical, business, and concierge needs.

6. Ask the Experts: InsureMyTrip.com’s licensed Customer Care representatives are standing by to help you with all of your travel insurance questions or concerns seven days a week, 365 days a year. Visit us at www.insuremytrip.com or call (800)-487-4722.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, January 20, 2012— At InsureMyTrip.com, we are deeply saddened by the recent and tragic events aboard the Costa Concordia. We have reached out to our customers who have been affected, and we are also reaching out to the broader audience to share some information about the role of travel insurance in a disaster like this. View video here COSTA CONCORDIA VIDEO

Travel insurance is a safety net when trouble like this happens and InsureMyTrip offers a wide selection of quality insurance options, all with important benefits that can help travelers when they need it most.

Trip Cancellation Package Policies: are the most comprehensive plans available including coverage for trip interruption, travel medical, emergency medical evacuation, 24-hour assistance, and in the unfortunate case of a fatality, accidental death benefits as well.

Travel Medical: providing emergency medical coverage in the event of injury or illness, travel medical insurance policies are the most popular plans purchased by travelers going abroad. These plans also provide emergency medical evacuation coverage for transport to a proper care facility and can be purchased for travel up to a year in length.

Medical Evacuation: This coverage can be purchased as a stand alone policy or it may be included in comprehensive 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.

InsureMyTrip.com’s Customer Care representatives are standing by to help you with all of your travel insurance questions or concerns seven days a week, 365 days a year. Visit us at www.insuremytrip.com or call (800)-487-4722 for assistance.

For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

WARWICK, RI, November 22, 2011—Holiday hustle and bustle has earned the season a bad reputation as one of the most stressful times of the year especially if your plans include traveling to grandma’s, mom and dad’s, or even Aunt Edna’s for a family gathering. But with proper planning and preparation, traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Make all your seasonal travels shiny and bright with this collection of practical and curious tips from InsureMyTrip.com and expert traveler and renowned travel blogger Johnny Jet.

• According to the Transportation Security Authority (TSA), having a wrapped package in your luggage may result in having the luggage opened and the package unwrapped to ensure it meets all safety requirements and doesn’t contain any prohibited items. So whether you check your bags or carry them on the plane save the wrapping for later or ship your wrapped gifts out ahead of time.
• Taking gifts and holiday traditions to the skies can be challenging but it can be done if you heed TSA guidelines and regulations.  For instance, pies, cakes, and other holiday foods are ok to bring onboard but remember these sweet favorites like any other carry-on items must go through the security scanners.
• Items like personal laptops, iPads and other electronic devices receive special attention at security check points as well. Help keep the line moving by removing all electronics from their cases and placing them in a bin for separate screening. Lastly, remember the 3-1-1 Rule. Each liquid in your carry-on must be in a 3.4 ounce (or less) container, containers must be stored in one clear, quart-sized plastic bag, and each passenger is only allowed one bag.
• Even if you’re not heading to the North Pole, airplanes can feel chilly sometimes.  Stay warm and cozy the whole flight by packing a lightweight blanket and a pair of thick socks in your carry-on bag.
• Fend off the sniffles or worse by keeping a supply of antibacterial wipes handy to clean common touch points like airplane seats, seatbelts, meal trays and overhead compartments. Staying at a hotel? Be sure to give a quick wipe to light switches, door handles, and the t.v. remote control as well.
• Treat those who are looking out for you. Give a nice box of chocolates or a festive candy cane to gate agents and flight attendants and your thoughtfulness will be returned tenfold.
• Be pennywise. Instead of paying $5 for a luggage cart at baggage claim, go to ‘Arrivals’ and grab one abandoned curbside.
• Spend a little more on a direct flight and lessen the chances of connection mishaps like delays, cancellations or missing your connection altogether.

At InsureMyTrip.com you can also review, rate, compare, analyze and purchase travel insurance from all the leading U.S. travel insurance companies in a completely secure environment, 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 assistance selecting coverage that’s right for you, InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care representatives are available to help seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For all the latest in travel insurance information, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@insuremytrip).

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About InsureMyTrip:
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip is a leading online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip is a one-stop resource designed to meet travelers’ comprehensive insurance needs all in a secure environment. Enhancing the insurance buying experience, InsureMyTrip features a Customer Ratings & Reviews community forum for traveler feedback, discussion and information exchange. InsureMyTrip also specializes in providing custom retail and wholesale travel insurance solutions in the education and mission travel markets. InsureMyTrip is headquartered in Warwick, R.I., with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.