Hurricane Bertha: Tips When Purchasing Travel Insurance

Just over a month into the official 2008 hurricane season and in less than 24 hours, a tropical storm turned into a Category 3 Hurricane with winds up to 125mph…Hurricane Bertha. For travelers who might have pending trips to Bermuda, which is currently in the possible path of this storm, it is not advisable to rush out to purchase travel insurance because the storm has already been named.

Travel insurance expert Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth.com (a travel insurance comparison Web site), has prepared some tips for those vacationing during hurricane season and what they need to know to help ensure smooth sailing.

The 2008 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Forecast predicts 12-16 named storms, six to nine hurricanes, and two to five category 3+ hurricanes for this year’s hurricane season (June 1—November 30).

To help travelers navigate any weather turmoil, Squaremouth has provided the following essential tips to help customers sort through options when considering purchasing travel insurance complete with hurricane coverage.

Hurricane insurance tips:

1- No insurance covers absolutely everything that could happen when a hurricane hits or you need to be evacuated. New “Hurricane Warning” coverage from Travelsafe and Global Alert Administrators, for example, works only if the warning that a hurricane is about to hit comes within 24 hours of your departure date, and only if you’ve held the policy for more than 15 days.

2 - Buy the policy before a storm is named… Or you won’t be covered for losses relating to that particular storm. This is because insurance is based on unforeseen circumstances; once a storm has a name it’s deemed to be foreseen. (The same is true for things like airline strikes: if the impending strike becomes public knowledge before you buy insurance, you can’t make a claim.)

3 - The wording of a policy may be vague. Some policies don’t refer to hurricanes at all; coverage may fall under the catch-all category of a “natural disaster” instead. And often they’re interpreted case-by-case at claim time.

4 - Some benefits that don’t specifically mention hurricanes can help. An example is “cancel for any reason” coverage, though most policies pay out less than 100% and stop within two days of departure (you’ll be covered for canceling travel plans ahead of time if a hurricane threatens; not for an emergency evacuation once the storm rolls in).

5 - If bad weather is predicted, but no warning is given… No insurance carrier will pay claims in this situation. The only option is to buy “cancel for any reason” coverage.

6 - Consider options offered by the airline, cruise or tour operator. If you’re offered an alternate trip with the same travel dates, you can’t make a claim if you refuse their offer. If the dates are different, most insurance companies will pay the claim; however, you must surrender the tickets.

7 - There’s plenty of variation in hurricane benefits from one company to the next, so it pays to shop around. But keep in mind that policies offered by the same company tend to offer similar protection against hurricanes, although the carrier’s higher-end product might afford slightly better coverage.

Having traveled, via cruise and air, during hurricanes, travel insurance is the most valuable travel companion you can take with you. I recommend the “cancel for any reason” if you have doubts about traveling to hurricane prone destinations during season. I have used Travel Guard’s “cancel for any reason” protection plan, which is great if you are looking to cover air fare and are taking a cruise for example, as all elements are covered. For my vacations involving air and a hotel or resort, I traditionally ensure my travel agent books the package with tour operator Travel Impressions and I always opt for its “cancel for any reason” travel insurance product. In fact, I have had to use it as I was traveling to Florida the day Hurricane Wilma swept through Ft. Myers and Naples.

Photo courtesy of NOAA.

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The Southern California coast is known for its awesome beauty and rugged coastline. Nestled in one of the coves hidden by high bluffs lies Sand Dollar Beach.

If you are heading north, the beach lies 60 miles above Morro Bay on Highway 1, just 3.8 miles north of the town of Gorda. If you are heading south it will be 9.2 miles south of Lucia. Look for the National Forest sign and pull into the parking lot. There is a small fee for parking, but there are restrooms and picnic tables, so it is a fair trade off.

Before you head down the winding path to the steep stairs that take you out to the beach, head out to the overlook and enjoy the spectacular view. It will be easy to understand how the beach got its name. The shape of Sand Dollar Beach isn’t the only thing that sticks out. This beach is the longest strand of sandy shoreline along the Big Sur Coast.

For rock hounds, the jade that washes up from nearby Jade Cove is easy to find on the far north and south edges of the beach. You can find small pebbles of Jade fairly easily and larger pieces if you are lucky.

Don’t just hike down to the beach, look around and head back up. Pack your beach gear and relax for the day. You will be hard pressed to find a better beach along this coastline. The water at this beach is more pristine and blue than most beaches in Southern California.

If you enjoy camping, the beach is located within walking distance of Plaskett Creek Campground. There is no overnight camping at the beach or in its parking lot.

Sand Dollar Beach is a great start off point for kayakers and a great way to experience Gray Whale watching in the months of December through April. Sometimes in late fall you can see the whales heading south. February is the best month for whale watching because they have their young calves in tow and stay close to the shoreline to protect them from shark attacks.

Surfing is at its peak in the fall months at Sand Dollar Beach. During the summer months, unless there is a stray storm there isn’t much surfing activity.

Whatever time of year you decide to visit the Big Sur Coast, be sure to make Sand Dollar Beach one of your stops. The crowds are small, the vistas from the bluffs are amazing, and the shore is sandy and pleasant.

After investing thousands in a vacation, the last thing you want to have happen is to get sick, preventing you from enjoying the much-anticipated destination and trip activities. A few trip precautions can help keep you healthy and enjoying your vacation.

1. Never brush teeth in countries where U.S. standards of cleanliness are lower (i.e. Mongolia, Haiti, Pakistan, Palau) unless using bottled water.
2. Wash hands constantly, but use Purell afterwards as a sanitizer (Why would you avoid drinking the water, but you’ll wash in it?). Note: If carrying this product in your carry-on if you’re flying, be sure it is less than 3 ounces and is put into a clear quart size bag to go through screening, as outlined by TSA.
3. Only drink bottled water with the seal in tact.
4. Order bottled beer vs. drinks with ice or frozen beverages.
5. Request to have a drink already chilled (i.e. can of Coke) to avoid using ice cubes.
6. Have Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate in a pill form (easy to transport) in your overnight bag just in case.
7. Keep water out of your mouth while showering.
8. Never eat raw vegetables overseas…only cooked. This is because the water that is used to wash the vegetables could be contaminated.
9. Ensure shots are current for countries slated to visit.

Despite taking health-precautions to stay healthy, it is possible to still come down with something. So, what do you do when something goes wrong or need medical attention? There are some items you can do prior to departing to help ensure you are protected when traveling to foreign countries.

First, consider purchasing travel insurance that extends medical coverage. Some policies offered by travel insurance companies, such as Travel Guard, allow pre-existing conditions to be covered while traveling. This, of course, depends on the policy selected. For a complete overview of travel insurance product inclusions, visit comparison sites such as Squaremouth.com or Insuremytip.com.

Be sure to check with your health insurance policy before you depart to see what is covered when you’re out of the U.S. Does your policy provide guaranteed payments abroad, a 24-hour support system for emergencies, and emergency medical evacuation coverage? If not, you might consider purchasing a separate policy specializing in medial evacuation such as Travel Guard or MEDEX. Even some credit cards, like American Express Platinum, also offer evacuation coverage. Keep in mind that evacuation coverage is not medical coverage. And, it’s important to note that medical evacuation providers decide whether and to where you’ll be evacuated. Med Jet Assist is one company which takes clients to any hospital of their choice, albeit if the client is already hospitalized.

Before you depart on your international travels, make an appointment with a travel health specialist or preferred physician to discuss places that require vaccinations or anti-malaria medication. Note that some of these preventative medical items require advance notice and time to actually administer.

If you take ill while traveling, you can contact the U.S. embassy or consulate at our destination for local health care recommendations. Another resource is the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, which has a directory of English-speaking doctors in 125 countries. The online listing is free to obtain at www.iamat.org so you can print the countries you’ll be visiting. All of the medical professionals listed in the directory received their training in the U.S. or Europe and charge $80 for the initial office visit.

Once you arrive at your destination or aboard your cruise, make yourself familiar with where the medical facilities are located. I’ve noticed on my recent travels the increases of public stations offering hand sanitizers to reduce the spread of germs and disease. And take a moment in your room or cabin to do a “wipe down”…use a disinfectant wipe on the public touch areas of the room to further sterilize.

If you have visited Las Cruces, New Mexico, you have probably seen Old Mesilla with its quaint shops and galleries, the courthouse turned souvenir shop that actually held Billy the Kid at one time, and the Rio Grande.  You may have taken in a play or watched a basketball game at New Mexico State University, but where have you eaten?  On your next visit, go where the locals go.  They have certain restaurants for certain meals and generally stick to their favorites on the menu.  When you have only a few days in the town, you want to enjoy the best of the best.

Ranchway, Nellie’s and Roberto’s are among the towns oldest restaurants and definitely favorites.  If you have only one time to eat at each, pick the Flautas at Ranchway (604 N. Valley; 523-7361)  you can get two if you want to be stuffed to the rim but one will most likely fill you.  They are made differently than most places.  You are sure to enjoy them.  The only warning I have for Ranchway is that they leave for a couple of weeks every summer and close up the restaurant completely, so you might miss the chance to visit them.  Get the sopaipilla compuesta at Nellie’s (1226 West Hadley; 505/524-9982; 505/526-6816) and the Tamales or Burritos at Roberto’s (908 E Amador Ave; (575) 523-1851).  If you want to bring flavor from the southwest home with you, be sure to visit Roberto’s, they also sell their food in bulk and package it for traveling.

The hands down favorite from every local I have talked to is at My Brothers Place (336 S Main St; (575) 523-7681), fondly shortened to Brothers by most.  Green enchiladas reign supreme here.  According to the locals, there is no better place for them in Las Cruces.  The atmosphere is considerably upscale from the others (which is not saying much) you can still dine in shorts and flip flops without offending anybody.

If you have tried all of these restaurants and are looking for something with a fancier feel that still has good food, head back to Old Mesilla and give La Posta (2401 Calle De San Albino; (575) 524-3524) a try.  It has a nice gift shop, birds in the atrium and nice decor throughout.  The food is great too.

For a fast food experience, steer clear of the standard McDonalds or Burger King and head to Blake’s or Sonic.  Be sure to order your burger with chili for a flavorful kick you just won’t get at home.  In Las Cruces, chili is code for the Hatch chili grown nearby, not beans, ground beef, and spices.

The food alone makes a trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico, worth it but when you add the quaint village of Old Mesilla and the active community it makes this city hard to pass up.

Hearing the drag scream as line is stripped from a reel by a trophy fish is a recurring daydream for most any fisherman.  The Florida Keys can provide that rush of adrenaline in two very different and unique surroundings.  Choose between flats fishing in the shallows and back country of Florida Bay or the deep blue off-shore gunning for the trophies of Hemingway. 

On a recent trip to Islamorada, my husband opted for the turquoise waters of the flats with a fly rod and spinning outfit.  He was in pursuit of the elusive bonefish and permit or more truthfully “anything” that he could trick into taking the offering.  Trophy tarpon, bonefish, permit and shark are often the reward for the patient and persistent.  Research on the species you will chase is key to the success of any fishing trip and a professional guide is an added bonus that supports your chances for victory. During our fishing outing, we came across several tarpon and our guide gave my eager husband a fly fishing lesson. Now, this took patience and skill.

Professional guides versed in the local waters and habits of these prize catches are abundant from Key Largo to Key West.  Islamorada is touted as the sportfishing capital of the world and is conveniently located about midway in the chain of islands.  From here you will find both large off-shore sport fishing boats as well as small flats skiffs that are polled along by guides for the element of surprise. Trip times vary from a couple of hours to half and full days of fishing and prices vary on these variables.  A full day allows for time to take in the sights of the keys and with a little luck your sought after target. 

What would complete a day on the water more that a fantastic sunset, swaying palms, soft melodies and a cold concoction?  The Keys are lined with small tropical watering holes serving up the latest cool drinks and island cuisine.  A top recommendation at almost any dining location in the Keys is the famous Florida grouper.  The Tiki bar at Holiday Isle is one such hotspot after a day of diving or fishing, known as the birthplace of the frozen rumrunner cocktail.  Fisherman can often be seen here telling the old one that got away stories over cool libations.  Live entertainment bands play a variety of Reggae and Jimmy Buffett tunes that further put people in the vacation, island mode.

The Keys are an amazing destination for any fisherman seeking saltwater adventure and the best part is, it is right here in the good ol’ USA. 

My favorite way to spend the day is exploring my own town, Palm Springs, California.  A fun walk with a hike at the end is a little challenging but a perfect way to fill the day.  You will make unique finds and discover quiet roads and trails.  The only money it costs is what you are willing to spend on shopping (Don’t go too crazy with the credit cards).

To prepare for your walk, bring a day-pack with you to store your small purchases, bring along two water bottles for each person and store a change of clothes in your car if you are only doing a day trip.  Also, wear sturdy shoes that support the ankle and are good on dirt trails.

Begin at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.  You might want to buy a Starbucks while you are there.  Take a leisurely stroll south through downtown Palm Springs, stopping to enjoy the stores and galleries along the way.

Continue on Palm Canyon until you hit Ramon Road, turn right and travel west.  A block up the road is the famous Melvyn’s Ingleside Inn.  This is a great place to stop for a delicious Cobb Salad and refreshing glass of Iced Tea.  Once you are done with lunch continue traveling west until you dead end at the mountain.  Follow the trail up the mountain.  It is not well marked at the beginning but the trail is the one to the left.  It gets more obvious the longer you are on it and it is couple of miles long heading north via switchbacks.  Be sure to take pictures as you go, the view of the valley floor is amazing.  When you reach the picnic tables, you are at the hill above Tahquitz Canyon Way.  Descend that hill carefully and you will wind up in the Palm Springs Art Museum parking lot.  Consider spending some time cooling off in the museum before heading east towards your starting point.  If you are still feeling hot and sticky, head to Knotts Soak City.  The prices are reasonable and it is a perfect way to end a relaxing day in Palm Springs.  You’ll find it off of Ramon Road on Gene Autry Trail.

The great thing about Palm Springs is that you can find plenty to do without spending a penny or you can build up the adventure by doing some shopping with the money you made from your hotel rewards credit cards in the city’s unique boutiques or by adding one or two fee based activities.  The only warning I have is that you should not follow the trail in the heat of the summer unless you are well prepared for triple digit temperatures.

There is a new souvenir that keeps delivering benefits after you return home from vacation…no, it’s not something that might arrive in nine months. Taking a vacation might produce health, family and work benefits.

Roger Dow, Travel Industry Association’s president and CEO says, “The evidence is overwhelming that when you take a trip, the benefits are everywhere. Despite the fact that Americans get less vacation time than in any country in the industrialized world, because of the personal benefits gained, we can’t afford not to travel.”

A 2008 Expedia survey reveals that nearly one-third of employed Americans are vacation deprived. This translates to an average of three vacation days earned being left on the table, or in essence giving back more than 460 million vacation days in 2008, as stated in the survey.

Expedia’s survey findings conclude that Americans do value vacations despite not taking advantage of well-earned time off. To illustrate, 39 percent of the survey respondents claim to feel more productive and better about their job upon returning from vacation and 52 percent state they feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal life.

“The research is clear, despite leaving vacation days unused, Americans believe in the restorative power of taking time off,” said Paul Brown, president, Expedia.com.

TIA issued a report in April 2008 titled “The Benefits are Everywhere” which cited a variety of studies’ findings including:

• An annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent.
• More than half of employed Americans say they come back feeling reconnected with their family after vacation (53%).
• Three out of four executives believe that vacations are necessary for them to prevent burnout (78%) or that vacations improve their personal job performance (75%).
• Travelers experience a 25% increase in performance on vigilance tests after returning from vacation - travelers 45 or older show a 50% increase in performance.
• Two out of three executives believe that vacations improve their creativity (68%).
• Women who take more vacations are more satisfied with their marriages.
• Even the anticipation of vacation travel generates an increase in positive feelings about one’s life as a whole, family, economic situation, and health. 

“According to one study, overwork costs employers about $150 billion a year stress-related absences,” Dow said. “There are 78 countries where the right to annual vacations of a minimum duration is prescribed by law. Some even have penalties for deferring the vacation.”

What prevents you from taking a vacation? Or do you always use all of your earned days annually?

Vacation time is a precious resource and often one that is not used because of being too busy at work or other excuses. Author of Smooth Landings (2006) and The Power of Dream Trips (2009) Michael MacNair says “Work life balance is the issue of our times. Just because we can stay connected does not mean we can and should. Taking vacation time allows us to perform as workers, parents and spouses much better than those who take none at all.”

Following are four steps Michael has identified for workers and business owners to employ when preparing to disconnect:

• Interval versus endurance lifestyle: Athletes know that the best way to increase speed and strength and the quality of their workouts is to perform a series of sprints versus one long endurance workout. Athletes incorporate rest periods into their training and average citizens must also take time to rest and rejuvenate. Rest to not slow process, rather to make long term progress and actually accelerate. Progress at work with more focus; progress at home with our kids and spouses; and progress for ourselves and our confidence.
• Identify what is a dream trip for you: The words strategy and vacation have never before been linked. We profess an investment in your vacation strategy by evaluating what your best and worst trips were and why, and determining from your travel companions what has to happen over the course of the trip for it to be an amazing experience. Strategize on this and then share this data with a professional who can make sure you are travel to the right destination doing the right things.
• Preparation to turn off work: If we do not communicate well, incorporate procedures into our positions, document what we are doing, and delegate to well trained individuals, we cannot walk away without our internal or external customers paying a price - and this is wrong. If they work to the breaking point and at the last minute walk away, they have to have the phone and laptop with them. If their rest periods are planned in advance they can stay excited knowing the break is coming but they can also prepare and communicate the departure so that work does not come along with them.
• Create a future dream trip portfolio: Take some time to sketch out your plan for the year and even for the next few years out and feel the energy that this will bring. Yes, the Internet allows you to do a lot of this research and planning, but once again if you are sprinting at work you should be looking to delegate this to professionals who will know your dream trip style guide and will make all this happen for you, so that these precious dream vacation moments won’t be squandered.

“Those who plan vacations through the year and sprint to them accomplish more, are happier, and have more fulfilling lives,” according to Michael. “No one has made the argument to their boss that they may be more effective by taking vacation versus hurting or slowing down the organization, but I argue that it is true.”

What steps have you taken to prepare to truly go away?

That is what Ed Schieffelin was told when he set out to prospect the mountains nearby, and thus, Tombstone received its name when he struck silver and staked his claim.  It changed this desolate spot to a busy mining town in the 1870’s.

Twenty years later, after prospecting in Alaska and Oregon, Ed Schieffelin was laid to rest three miles west of Tombstone, a monument marks the spot.  Be careful when you go to visit this site, it seems the local teens like to gather there and hang out.

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is an interesting stop.  Be sure to avoid being seated at a table with patrons already at it.  The communication between the host and the waitresses is not good and they may not serve you for awhile.  The atmosphere is fun and the period dress adds to the western feel.

There are gunfights all around, the most authentic being the shootout at the OK Corral.  It actually takes place on the far end of Allen Street and works its way down to the OK corral.  Be sure to be at the top of the street and follow Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and the Clantson Brothers.  You will get the whole story as you progress towards the actual shootout.  Buy your tickets early.  Ask if there are additional shows if you miss the ones posted, sometimes not all shows are listed.  If you miss this shootout, be sure to check one of the other gunfights offered at other locations in town.

Don’t waste your money on the Bird Cage.  This was toted as a must see in a travel brochure and the air of mystery about what was behind the curtain will make you inquisitive.  It is a museum with many good relics of the western past, but it is shameful how poorly the pieces are kept up and the display they have arranged is messy and disorganized.

Definitely enjoy a mine tour.  This is what the town was founded on and much of its history comes from the mines.  The stories of the miners range from funny to tragic and the mechanics of pulling the ore from the mountains is informative and interesting.  The Stagecoach runs through the town and you will get an informative tour for a reasonable price.  Another great place to visit in town is the Boothill Cemetery.  Invest in the $2 brochure that describes who rests in the cemetery.  The stories are as colored and entertaining as the town it served. 

The Holiday Inn Express is a decent hotel but has no elevator so be sure to coordinate with them prior to your stay if you need a first floor room.  The Best Western didn’t look too good from the outside.

The town, as old western towns go, has a real historical feel to it and the stores are well kept with interesting souvenir items available.  The prices are reasonable and the food is okay.  It’s a fun place to visit and it has kept true to its historical roots.

Regardless of vacation budget, travelers put time and effort into planning their getaways. However, with all of the information available, it is easy to get off track during vacation planning and sometimes what appears to be a great “deal” could leave travelers stranded or disappointed.

The United States Tour Operators Association has created its top 10 tips on how to avoid disappointment on a vacation

1. Protect Identity: If a telemarketer offers you a vacation deal, never give your credit card number over the phone.
2. Use Common Sense: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Get it in Writing: Seeing the offer on a Web site does not count as getting an offer in writing. A Web site can be easily changed and provides no proof of what the offer was like when you first saw it. (Source: National Fraud Information Center, part of the National Consumer League)
4. Conduct Background Search: Before purchasing a vacation, check with a travel agent or other reliable source to ensure the company you are dealing with is legitimate.
5. Know Company’s Associations: Find out if the company is a member of an organization with a consumer protection plan, which could reimburse travelers’ deposits and monies paid in the unlikely event of the company’s default or bankruptcy. For information, call toll-free 1-800-GO-USTOA (468-7862) or visit www.ustoa.com.
6. Think about “What If”: Know the cancellation clauses in your travel agreements.
7. Feel Confident about Cost: To save money, investigate early booking discounts offered by tour operators.
8. It Counts Who You Know: If you can’t find space on your own at a popular destination, consider a vacation package. Tour operators and travel packagers reserve blocks of space at the most popular destinations well in advance. Best of all, they can often save you up to 40% over booking the same vacation on your own.
9. Ensure Airfare is Available: Book airfare when you make your vacation arrangements. Don’t play airplane roulette, waiting until the last minute to see what late airline sales occur. This is particularly true if you’re traveling to a highly visited area, where flights may be booked well in advance.
10. Be realistic: you get what you pay for. Don’t expect luxury accommodations at bargain basement prices.

Additional tips to further prevent disappointment when traveling include:

• Purchase Travel Insurance: Just like auto and homeowners, you hope you never have to use it, but there are a variety of travel insurance policies that can protect you from unforeseen circumstances such as a hurricane, a work commitment or medical issue.
• Do Your Homework: Read past travelers’ reviews of selected vacation suppliers and ask friends, families and co-workers if they have any experience with travel partners involved.

To help travelers navigate vacation planning, USTOA is offering a free copy of its “Smart Traveler’s Planning Kit,” by calling 1-800-GO-USTOA (468-7862) or sending an e-mail to information@ustoa.com.