Dear Action Line: We are headed for the Caribbean in a few weeks and wonder if we should take out trip insurance. - C.F.A., Tulsa.
Hurricane Sandy left behind many reminders of why it's important to be prepared for hurricanes and why flying into hurricane-prone areas requires trip insurance.
When flying to the Gulf of Mexico in hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), buy travel insurance for non-refundable trip expenses, unforeseen hotel stays, etc.
Typically, travel insurance costs 3 percent to 5 percent of the trip's cost. A $5,000 trip costs $250 to $350 to insure, says the Insurance Information Institute (
tulsaworld.com/iiitravelIns).
Travel insurance policyholders are reimbursed for non-refundable trip expenses, compensated for unforeseen hotel stays and given 24-hour access to travel agents and other professionals when storms or hurricanes hit, says the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (
tulsaworld.com/ustia) and the institute.
"Superstorm Sandy upended travel plans for thousands," said Linda Kundell, USTIA spokeswoman. "Buy travel insurance when paying for your trip, as once the National Weather Service names a tropical storm, it's too late to buy insurance."
Keep track of weather developments in the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean at
tulsaworld.com/wchurrcent It tracks "areas of interest," assigning them numbers ("Invest 97") an area of depression near the Lesser Antilles with a 60 percent chance of growing and a 20 percent chance of being named a tropical storm.
"The Atlantic hurricane season continues to Nov. 30, so if you're paying thousands on a fall vacation, buying a travel insurance policy is worth exploring," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, III consumer spokeswoman.
Gain the most benefit from travel insurance, the UStiA and the Institute advise travelers to "keep all receipts and a copy of your itinerary in the event you need to file a claim. Read your travel insurance policy to ensure you understand what is and is not covered. If you feel the policy does not meet your needs, the premium cost is usually refundable within a defined grace period.
"Review the policy's pre-existing medical conditions clause. This is significant as many travel insurance policies cover policyholders when they become severely ill on their trip. Some policies waive pre-existing conditions if the coverage is purchased within 10 to 14 days of the initial trip booking," says the USTIA.
For more information and a list of UStiA member companies, visit
tulsaworld.com/ustiafindmember UStiA also sponsors TRIP (Travel Responsibly, Informed, and Protected), a consumer advocacy web site with helpful information including timely tips on travel, health, safety, and security. Visit
tulsaworld.com/ustiatrip
Submit Action Line questions by calling 918-699-8888, emailing
phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com or by mailing them to Tulsa World Action Line, PO Box 1770, Tulsa OK 74102-1770.
Original Print Headline: Don't forget to buy vacation insurance
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Edmunds.com last week released its annual list of Best Used Cars for 2013, a list of 17 cars across every segment based on "the most important criteria: reliability, safety, value and availability."
Dear Action Line: I received a mailing from the IRS and wonder if this is typical. I thought all such notices came by email. Should I call the Tulsa IRS on this? - B.N., Tulsa
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