InsureMyTrip News

The Wall Street Journal’s Wall Street Select site shares a press release from InsureMyTrip, detailing how travel insurance has changed since Hurricane Katrina.  An excerpt quotes InsureMyTrip’s President and CEO Jim Grace as saying:

“The 2005 hurricane season was a wake up call for the industry…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.”

The full release can be found on Wall Street Select.

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.

WARWICK, RI, September 1, 2010—As Hurricane Earl advances on the U.S. East Coast with Tropical Storm Fiona nipping at its heels, the alphabetical progression of the 2010 Hurricane Season continues to forge ahead one orderly letter at a time. But as Shakespeare once said, ‘What’s in a name?’

“When it comes to hurricanes, just about everything,” says Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com. “Trip cancellation and interruption protection is based on the occurrence of unforeseen events so once a storm has been publicly identified, it can only spell trouble for travelers without insurance protection. You need to purchase travel insurance coverage before a storm is predicted and named, not when it’s bearing down on you or your intended destination.”

The key is to plan ahead. Will you be traveling through or to a hurricane-prone region? Do you live in a hurricane zone where weather could prevent you from taking a trip to somewhere else? “Travel insurance provides undeniable peace of mind protection,” says Grace, “but more importantly when it comes to tropical storms and hurricanes, it is a fundamental necessity.”

Not all travel insurance policies are created equally. Coverage for weather-related trip cancellations and interruptions differs by insurance company and plan. The covered cancellation reasons can include:

• Cancellation due to Weather: when common carriers such as airlines and cruise lines cease service due to weather
• Cancellation due to Hurricane Warning: cancellation of your trip if your destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning
• Destination made Uninhabitable: if your hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated by a storm
• Primary Residence made Uninhabitable: if your own home sustains destructive storm damage
• Cancel For Any Reason– an optional benefit that allows you to choose whether or not to cancel.

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.

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About InsureMyTrip.com
2010 marks the tenth anniversary of InsureMyTrip.com as 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.

WARWICK, RI, August 19, 2008 — September will mark the mid-point of the 2008 hurricane season, and as we all watch the developments of Tropical Storm Fay we’re reminded of the disruption these storms bring with them. Although we can’t predict the weather, we can help you plan for its impact.

“If you purchased travel insurance and your trip is impacted by Tropical Storm Fay, examine the policy or contact us to understand your options,” advises Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, the leading online travel insurance comparison site. “There are several trip cancellation benefits that will protect your travel investment, depending on the plan you purchased.” Grace recommends checking your policy for these coverages:

• Cancellation due to Hurricane Warning: Some policies cover cancellation of your trip if your destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning.
• Common Carrier Stops Service due to Weather: This benefit protects your investment when airlines and cruise lines stop travel to a destination due to severe weather.
• Destination made Uninhabitable: This covers you if a hurricane or other natural disaster hits your hotel or vacation rental property and it is no longer able to accept guests.
• Cancel For Any Reason: If you selected this option, available on select plans from several insurance carriers, you choose whether or not you want to cancel your trip.

“If you are contemplating future travel plans during hurricane season,” notes Grace, “consider the peace of mind and financial protection offered by travel insurance.” In addition to the trip cancellation provisions mentioned above, most plans also provide coverage if your primary residence becomes uninhabitable due to storm damage. Always plan ahead – travel insurance, like all insurance, is based on the occurrence of unforeseen events.

InsureMyTrip.com’s expert team of insurance professionals can help you understand all of the available protection options and select the one that’s right for you. Call us at 800-487-4722, or visit us today at www.insuremytrip.com to protect your travels.

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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.

Warwick, RI, August 16, 2007— As evidenced by the recent developments of Hurricanes Flossie and Dean and Tropical Storm Erin, August kicks-off the most active period of Hurricane Season 2007. In fact, expert predictions for a busier than average season, now also include forecasts for as many as sixteen tropical storms with nine reaching hurricane strength.

“With several more weeks of summer still to enjoy and the rapidly approaching fall travel season, travel insurance is the best protection for tropical vacations in hurricane prone areas,” advises Peter Evans, Executive Vice President of InsureMyTrip.com. “The key is to plan ahead as trip cancellation and interruption protection is based on the occurrence of unforeseen events.  This means you need to purchase coverage before a tropical storm or hurricane is named and possibly affects a part of your itinerary.”

Travelers also need to know that not all policies are created equally.  “Coverage for weather-related trip cancellations and interruptions differs by company and plan,” explains Evans. The coverage spectrum includes:

1. Common carrier (airline, cruise line) stops travel to a particular destination due to weather
2. Destination made uninhabitable – if your hotel or vacation resort is devastated by a storm
3. Your own home sustains storm damage and is made uninhabitable
4. Cancel for Any Reason – 75% of your trip cost can be recovered.

Another very important reason to plan ahead is to maximize the complete complement of benefits offered by trip cancellation policies. To be eligible for financial default protection and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, the majority of the policies require that you purchase your policy within 7 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit.

Wherever and whenever you are traveling, travel insurance is a prudent investment that provides peace-of-mind protection.  To learn more about the protection plans that best suit your travel needs, visit InsureMyTrip.com on-line or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance professional. InsureMyTrip.com’s knowledgeable Customer Service team is available by phone and online seven days a week, M-F 7 A.M.-Midnight, Saturday 9 A.M. – 6 P.M. and Sunday 11 A.M. – 6 P.M. ET.  These trained professionals are fully versed in all aspects of travel insurance from coverage definitions to the fine print details.  So whether you simply need one question answered or want step-by-step help in selecting a travel insurance policy, InsureMyTrip’s personable Customer Service representatives can help you.

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About InsureMyTrip.com
Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip.com is the leading, consumer-oriented on-line 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 New York.