People should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them when they travel abroad but it is not an alternative to travel insurance. That is according to the Post Office, which suggested that it is "essential" for Brits to carry their EHIC on holidays in other member nations of the European Union because it provides free or reduced-cost treatments.
That being said, Rachel Croft, head of travel insurance at the Post Office, warned holidaymakers that they should not feel the EHIC replaces any need for a comprehensive holiday insurance policy. "It won't cover costs such as mountain rescue, repatriation or lost baggage - so we urge people to ensure they are fully covered against all eventualities," she said.
To highlight the importance of being fully prepared for the worst, it pointed to several case studies suggesting that skiing accidents typically cost travellers between £4,000 and £10,500. Last month, moneysupermarket.com urged people with travel insurance to check their policies to see if they are covered for flight delays as a result of bad weather.
news source : http://www.world-first.co.uk/
According to a report filed by e-tid.com, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) introduced new rules on 1 January requiring the sale of connected travel insurance to be conducted by authorised or exempt companies only. The new regulation means consumers can no longer buy insurance as part of a holiday package unless their agent, tour operator or online retailer acts as the Appointed Representative (AR) of an insurer or insurance broker.
Ben Smart, UK sales director for Mondial Assistance, said: “Offering travel insurance to customers allows travel agents and companies to deliver added benefits as well as enable them to reap the rewards of ancillary revenue. The new regulations made it imperative for us to act quickly to maintain this revenue stream for our clients and help them provide an uninterrupted level of service to their consumers.”
Towards the end of 2008, Mondial Assistance won a new contract with leisure travel group, TUI Travel UK & Ireland, to provide a complete travel insurance solution. It was shared that Mondial will provide underwriting capacity for both the UK and Ireland through its insurance arm: Elvia Travel Insurance International. In addition, Mondial will provide claims management and international medical assistance for travellers. In-branch sales and compliance training will be delivered in partnership with Citybond Suretravel, who will also act as the medical screening provider for the contract.
Travel companies, for instance airlines in the US, are increasingly looking at a la carte pricing. It is being said that already airlines in other regions of the world are taking notice of what the US network carriers are doing.
news source : http://www.m-travel.com/news/
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The celebration known as "Mardi Gras Carnival Season" kicks off Friday, ending when the last reveler heads home on Fat Tuesday, February 24. CSA Travel Protection (CSA), a company dedicated to providing value-driven travel insurance and emergency assistance services, provides the following list of fun facts about Mardi Gras.
1. Mardi Gras is the direct French translation of "Fat Tuesday." It refers to the last day before the season of Lent begins.
2. The first American Mardi Gras was celebrated near modern-day New Orleans on March
3, 1699.
3. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold (representing justice, faith and power).
4. In New Orleans, private social groups called "Krewes" put on parades during the season's festivities.
5. Fat Tuesday is a legal holiday in Louisiana.
6. More than 60 parades and hundreds of private parties, dances and masked balls are scheduled annually in the New Orleans metropolitan area during Mardi Gras.
7. The Zulu Parade, put on by the oldest and most prestigious, predominantly African American Carnival club in New Orleans, will celebrate its 100th year in 2009.
8. The term "Throws" refers to plastic beads and cheap trinkets thrown by masked krewe members from floats as they pass by parade goers.
9. Mardi Gras, the day, is actually the last day of a long celebration of parades and merriment that begins 12 days prior to Fat Tuesday.
10. In 2005, more than one million revelers attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Travelers heading to New Orleans or other Mardi Gras and Carnival destinations are reminded to protect themselves from unforeseen circumstances that could potentially postpone or cut-short their trip. While travel insurance can't stop the unexpected from happening, it can protect and support travelers when mishaps occur, such as flight delays and missed connections.
CSA offers its customers convenient protection when traveling, with additional benefits like No Out-of-Pocket Medical Expense. If a traveler develops an acute illness while on their covered trip, a one-time medical expense will be paid for treatment under $1,000*. Travelers can call their travel agent to purchase, or request more information on, this CSA Travel Protection exclusive.
About CSA Travel Protection
CSA Travel Protection is dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services to protect travelers' valuable investments and provide the peace of mind one deserves while traveling. Since its inception in 1991, CSA has developed a reputation for standing behind its customers and evolving products and services to meet their needs. Through superior customer service, extensive experience and industry-leading innovation, CSA is with its clients every step of the way whenever and wherever they are needed.
* When using CSA's designated provider network of 30,000 physicians and 850,000 service providers worldwide.
news source : http://sev.prnewswire.com/
People should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them when they travel abroad but it is not an alternative to travel insurance. That is according to the Post Office, which suggested that it is "essential" for Brits to carry their EHIC on holidays in other member nations of the European Union because it provides free or reduced-cost treatments.
