Unbridled Traveler

Traveling abroad is always a great experience. But can the excitement be similar if you or any of your family members falls sick or gets injured while traveling? Imagine what would happen if you discover that your general travel insurance does not cover international emergencies. Isn’t it horrifying?

Most travelers believe that their traditional medical insurance offers adequate coverage even while they are overseas. But the fact is that only travel medical insurance are designed for international travel. All insurance policies have exclusions and travel insurance is no different. However, it is imperative to be well informed in the clearest possible way about what you are and aren’t covered for.

Pre-existing medical conditions tops the list of exclusions. Pre-existing conditions include pregnancy or difficulties related to the same, any ongoing medical or dental condition, any condition for which you take treatment or any surgical conditions. Besides, mental disorder, anxiety or depression, traveling against the advice of the medical doctor is not covered by travel insurance in any circumstances.

Other exclusions include medical tourism. Your travel insurance may not cover expenses incurred while receiving a particular medical treatment overseas. Hence, travel insurance may not be helpful in case you plan to go abroad for cosmetic surgery or for the purpose of obtaining treatment acknowledged by the doctor.

There are some extreme events and situations which are excluded by travel insurance policies when you are abroad. These include losses incurred due to war or war-like situations, biological attacks, nuclear terrorism, natural disasters or epidemics. These kinds of exclusions are commonly found in almost all travel insurance policies.

Additionally, even high risk sports do not qualify under travel insurance. Sports involving bodily contact such as mountaineering, skydiving, skiing, caving, riding in races, bungee jumping, parachuting, etc are excluded from the clauses of travelers medical insurance. Some policies offer coverage for these risky sports, if an additional rider is bought by paying additional premium.

Other exclusions relate to loss of passport, fraud and deceit of your travel agent, any other losses arising due to irresponsibility of the insured person, attempt to suicide, alcohol/drug misuse, and the loss of checked in baggage or its valuables,.

Having travel insurance is always the best deal. However, travel insurance given by various travel insurance companies diverge in the additional cover offered. Thus, it is advisable to compare different travel insurance plans online and read the policy wording before choosing one for you. Remember, genuine claims, as well as new injuries and illnesses are covered after an investigation by claims department.

Though overseas travel promises a lot of fun and excitement, it also poses several risks that could put you in helpless situations where you may feel helpless and not know what the next step is. Hence, medical insurance for travel is an absolute must to handles these unforeseen situations that could otherwise ruin your trip.

Travel insurance plan is like a contract between you and the insurance provider which states in the agreement that the insurance company would cover the costs of certain risks as mentioned in the policy if you pay a certain premium amount in advance as stated in the policy document.

The person who takes a travel insurance plan policy can either pay the premium at one go or in multiple installments as agreed with the provider.

There are various reasons why you should take travel insurance plan especially during a trip abroad. Most of them points to ensuring a safe and secured trip instead of worrying about the major risks and the related expenses. There are various choices of travel insurance plan policies which offer different coverage options. It is important that you go through the policy document and also do adequate groundwork on the benefits it offers.

Travel insurance plan comes very handy in the case of illness especially when you are away from your homeland. It covers the major medical expenses, hospitalization costs, medical procedures and doctor consultation fees in case you suddenly fall seriously ill.

In addition, in case of the death of the insured, the insurance also covers funeral expenses and the death benefits for the beneficiaries. Hence, it is necessary to designate a beneficiary while you buy a travel health insurance policy.

Travel insurance plan covers loss of baggage but the limits is predetermined. Hence, while choosing your insurance policy, you need to take enough care to ensure that you are fully protected in case of any unforeseen emergencies.

While many of us enjoy traveling abroad, it would be a clever step to take enough precautions than repent later about not securing for the trip and keep medical insurance for travelers as the top priority in the checklist.

If you’re planning a safari holiday in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, you’ll find yourself and your fellow travelers getting into numerous debates about all the magnificent animals you encounter. Go to overland tours for more information.

Not all of us can be as knowledgeable as David Attenborough, but if you want to wise up on a few facts to impress your fellow holidaymakers on a South Africa Safari, here are a few tips to keep you ahead of the pack!

ZEBRA

Why do Zebras have stripes?

A herd of zebra is a stunning sight for anyone taking a holiday in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, but many are left wondering why on earth these creatures have such a bizarre look. There are three main theories:

1) Identity:
Zebras’ stripes are like fingerprints with each zebra having a different set of stripes. As a newborn, the young zebra stays close to its mother and learns her stripes. The foal is then able to find its’ mother just by sight.

2) Camouflage:
Stripes help the zebra hide in grass from predators as well as making it more difficult for a lion to pick out any single zebra from a herd for attack. The stripes may also be confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly.

3) Thermoregulation:
The stripes help the zebra to have a more controlled body temperature, as they correspond with fat patterns beneath the skin, serving as a thermoregulatory mechanism.

ELEPHANT

How do elephants get so big?

On a South Africa safari, the elephants you are likely to encounter wondering along and munching on bushes are African elephants, which are distinguishable from their Asian cousins by their much larger ears. The average large Elephant bull reaches a weight of 5.5 tons and some males can be as heavy as 6.5 tons, while females average about 3.5 to 4 tons.

A large elephant bull will eat as much as 200 kg of grasses, leaves, bamboo, twigs, bark, roots, fruits, seeds and flowers a day, although only 40% of that is digested as they have a very weak digestive system. To get through all that food, Elephants eat for an average of 18 hours a day. Refer to african adventure tours for more information.

GIRAFFE

What is the collective noun for giraffes, and why?

You’re quite likely to spot a giraffe on a safari holiday in South Africa. The tallest of all land-living animal species, there are over 9,000 giraffes in Kruger National Park, and, if you’re lucky, one of these quiet and inquisitive creatures might stop to take a look, very politely, into your car window!

The collective noun for Giraffes is a ‘journey’. The reason for this name is that they tend to move around - if a Giraffe feeds on the same Acacia tree for too long, the tree starts to defend itself by increasing the levels of tannin in the leaves. The increase of tannin makes the leaves taste very bitter and dry, forcing the Giraffe to move on.

LION

Do lions eat people?

Lions wouldn’t usually choose to hunt for people. In Africa their preferred menu generally consists of large mammals including wildebeest, impalas, zebras, buffalo and warthogs.
However, if you’re heading for a safari holiday in South Africa, beware! As a result of immigration from Mozambique, the lions close to the Mozambique / Kruger National Park border have regular encounters with people and certain prides have therefore taken up the unfortunate habit of man-eating.

RHINOCEROUS

What is the difference between the black rhino and the white rhino?

You can spot both of these rhino species on a holiday in South Africa, and surprisingly there is no colour difference between the two. The Dutch named the White Rhino the ‘Weid mond Rhino’, and the English thought they were saying ‘white’, so it was just a misunderstanding that stuck (and has baffled tourists ever since). However, there are other ways to tell the difference between the two.

The Black Rhino is smaller than the White Rhino, with a small hooked shaped mouth for feeding on trees and shrubs. The Black Rhinos’ natural head posture faces upward, so there is no need for it to lift its’ head when feeding on trees. There are around 350 Black Rhinos in Kruger National Park.

The White Rhino is far larger than Black Rhino, behind the elephant it is probably the most massive remaining land animal in the world, along with the Indian Rhinoceros and some male hippopotamuses. The White Rhino has a broad flat mouth to feed off large quantities of grass. It has a hump above the shoulders and a fold of skin at the lower shoulders. There are over 2000 White Rhinos in Kruger National Park. Visit overland safari tours for further information.

When traveling on a budget, one of the most often questions is whether it is best to travel independently, making your own airfare, hotel and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance. Go to Vacation Packages for further information.

There is unfortunately no easy answer to this question, as it is largely dependent on the location and the specific deals that are available.

For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand and India, are often much less costly when booked through a package company or travel agent.

That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, last year I traveled solo to Egypt from New York for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

This is far less than I could have booked on my own, since airfare alone would have run me over $700. The key to this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egyptair and the hotel at which we stayed.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal. Go to Africa Safari Travel for more information.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost.

Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optionals. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly you may be out of luck.

It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a package deal or independent travel is up to each individual travelers. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location.

It is also important to take your own personal travel style into account. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides. Visit Travel Deals for further information.

Summer is upon us again. Chances are you have some sort of vacation planned that will involve getting into a bathing suit. It could be a trip to the Wisconsin Dells and the world’s largest water park. It could be a trip to Myrtle Beach and some fun in the sun. It could simply be a short trip that involves a stay at a hotel with a pool. Regardless of the reason, you will want to look and feel good when you put on that swim suit.

One of the most popular health and fitness supplements on the market today is the acai berry. Celebrities reportedly use this “secret weapon” to slim down and look great. It has been touted as the best antioxidant supplement on talk shows and news programs. There have been extensive studies in scientific journals I can’t even begin to understand. And there are tons of newspaper, magazine, and internet advertisements for this super food.

Before you run out and get the first acai berry supplement you can get your hands on, make sure you know what you are getting and why. Unlike many popular weight loss supplements, acai berry supplements do not control hunger or eating habits. They are an antioxidant that helps make your body healthier and have more energy. When you have more energy, you are able to be more active and which burns more calories and leads to weight loss. If you are looking for a miracle drug that is going to burn off fat while you sit on the couch, they won’t help you. Using acai berry supplements can help you feel better and have more energy which will lead to weight loss because you are more active day in and day out.

Now that we have talked about looking and feeling better for your vacation, lets talk for a minute about where you are going. If you don’t have plans yet or would like to find some ways to get a cheap family vacations, you should check out Cheap Family Vacations where you can enter to win a free cruise and find other ideas for saving a bunch of money on your family vacation.

For the record, the author is not a travel agent or world traveler with lots of experience. My ideas are not always based on personal experience and are never more than just personal opinion designed to help you. I am not responsible for the fulfillment of any offer recommended. I am also not a doctor so please don’t take any health or fitness related advice without first checking with a doctor to make sure dietary or exercise changes are ok for you.

The items you want cheap travel deals on are important. So be aware of them and their prices so that you can get a good overall package. These items may consist of:

• • airfares or cruise ship fares
• • transfer fees
• • fees and charges on fares
• • activities
• • car rental
• • accommodation

You can earn some cheap travel deals discounts on all the items listed above. With the bad shape the world economy is, we can all use a little savings here and there.

What is your destination?

The world economic crisis has affected everyone. This has made travel operators to be more resourceful by offering deals that will attract people.

If your destination is Africa, Australia, Europe, or Asia, select the less popular cities to visit. This way you are sure to get great discount deals from travel operators. A little bit of research online will uncover these good deals.

Holiday package deals,

One sure way to save on your travel is to consider package deals. Here, all the items in the travel package is taken as a whole. These include meals, accommodation, airfares, rentals and other activities.

Go on a road trip.

You can have an enjoyable and budget travel by going on a road trip. Instead of flying, drive around the country or hire a car. After all prices of oil has fallen drastically. By doing some research beforehand, you will find some cheap accommodation and car rentals that will save you a bundle.

Don’t be rigid in your travel plans.

You can save a lot on package deals for your holidays. All it requires is changing your departure times and period of the year you want to travel. Check online for the prices for your destinations and you will surely get travel package deals that fit you.

Periods that are likely to attract discounts are Midweek departure times, off peak tourist season times. Other times like weekends are busy periods for traveling therefore you not likely to get travel discounts. But during the off season periods tourist operators and airlines want to fill empty spaces so they offer these great discounts.

If you can be flexible on where you go and the time of the year or periods of the travel season, then you will get considerable savings on your travel.

Today’s growing international business has made international travel health insurance a necessity. When employees fly overseas on work assignments they are traveling with a high degree of risk. International travel introduces a higher degree of risk for illnesses, accidents, and injuries in a foreign land. International Insurance can protect against these risks in foreign countries.

Typical medical insurance plans of American citizens and workers will not benefits outside the US. HMO plans are the most restrictive with very limited benefits outside the local HMO area. PPO plans are less restrictive but would typically limit coverage within the US PPO network. Medicare insurance for senior citizens (over 64 years) excludes all medical expenses incurred overseas.

In the event of an overseas life threatening situation, foreign medical airlifting might cost as much as $90,000. Most international medical insurance plans can cover these expenses under its medical evacuation benefits. This feature of foreign insurance provides travelers the peace of mind and financial security that they seek.

There are two kinds of international medical insurance that are applicable to all international insurance providers. Long term international medical insurance offers coverage worldwide including the home country. Short term International Health Insurance offers coverage outside the home country for up to 3 years (very limited home country coverage for incidental trips).

There are various factors to consider while selecting an international health insurance plan. The financial strength of the insurance company is a major concern. One can rely on the insurance company ratings provided by AM Best Company.

AM Best Company is an independent company that focuses on rating insurance companies and insurance underwriters. The ratings can range from A++ to D grades. A good AM Best rating is an indication that financial status of the company is good.

Larger international medical insurance companies typically have direct billing agreements with the major hospitals in many of the world’s big cities. Such arrangements between the insurance company and the hospitals ensure that payments can be made directly from the insurance company to the hospital without the involvement of the insured.

International Travel Health Insurance industry has several players and all of them compete to offer plans that meet the needs of Foreign travelers and overseas employees. While some companies focus exclusively on the international segments there are other companies that are beginning to look beyond the local domestic US market. Make sure you compare the various possibilities on the internet before enrolling on an international health insurance plan.

We all have to travel, either for business or for vacation. Whatever may be the purpose, we expose ourselves to a lot of risks while traveling. We all feel that we are quite healthy. However, accidents don’t come with warnings. Travel insurance can make a big difference simply by covering the various unexpected expenses you incur during your travel.

It might seem that spending on travel insurance online is nothing but an additional financial burden. However, having a secured future against unexpected expenses will help you enjoy your trip even better. We all have to protect ourselves from uncertainties. Isn’t it?

Did you know that a night spent in the hospital can cost you as much as $2500? Needless to mention, the heart surgery; which can cost you as much as $100,000. Don’t you think that travel insurance is the best way of securing yourself against these heavy unforeseen expenses?

Expenses such as ambulance cost, loss of baggage or other personal belongings, personal accident, hospitalization, home burglary, etc. are all covered under travel insurance. However, travelers’ medical insurance would be extended only during medical emergencies. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a policy which will provide you with maximum coverage against your expenses.

The amount of medical coverage allowed by the travel insurance companies varies widely. While young people are allowed policies which are nearly of $500,000, older people are generally allowed to purchase policies ranging between $50,000 and $100,000. Most of the travel insurance companies offer a comparison tool exclusively designed for the older people. The advantage of this tool is that you will be able to pick the best buy.

Some travel insurance give fixed benefit and do not cover all your expenses. With each type of policy you will face some kind of limitation. Suppose you have bought a policy of $100K, then you will get a maximum cover of about $20K, for a personal accident. However, for a mere dental expense your policy of $100K will provide you a cover of $500. The exact coverage varies from company to company. Any expense that you incur above the limit has to be borne by yourself.

It is important to know that for certain expenses there are a deductible which is levied. The deductible is basically a fixed amount which is pre-determined by an agreement between yourself and your travel insurance company at the time of purchasing the policy. You will have to pay this amount towards your medical expenses before your travel insurance company starts covering you. Generally the lower the premium amount the higher is the deductible you have to pay.

Travel insurance covers losses other than medical expenses. The travel insurance company will also provide you coverage against repatriation costs, loss of personal belongings, medical evacuation, etc. Isn’t it really a wise decision to secure yourself against such unexpected financial expenses?

For people planning any travel, especially outside the home country, it is an absolute must to be covered by an international travel medical insurance package for a safe and secure trip. Any travel involves risks like stolen baggage, health complications and emergency scenarios demanding immediate evacuation. An medical insurance for international travel policy is the answer to all these possible nightmares during a trip.

Once you opt for an international travel medical insurance policy with global coverage, you are protected not only in your home country but also during your travel overseas across many countries in the world. However, in the case of health insurance for international travel, you may have a predetermined waiting period to avail of certain benefits like pregnancy and preventive care.

In order to get the best out of your international travel medical insurance package, you need to comply with some minimum eligibility requirements irrespective of your age, status and nationality. These requirements would be mentioned by your insurance provider in advance.

For example, many of the international travel medical insurance policies place restrictions on the duration spent by the US citizens in their home country. Some of the policies state that US citizens must reside outside their native country or leave the United States on a particular date and live abroad for a period of at least 6 months. However, these restrictions are relaxed in the case of non US citizens.

You can apply for international travel medical insurance when you are as young as 14 days or even at the age of 74 years. But when you cross 74 years, you would be covered under the same plan if you have been covered continuously by the insurance provider in the past. Most of the providers do not allow you to apply for a new policy.

You can cover your entire family under a single international travel medical insurance policy plan. It works out beneficial for you if you cover your spouse and kids under the same plan as some of the international travel medical insurance providers offer free coverage for the children if both the parents opt for the same insurance plan.

You can also cover newborn babies for any illness right from their birth if the mother qualifies for pregnancy coverage under the international travel medical insurance plan she has applied for. You need to also include the newborn baby under the insurance plan within 31 days of birth.

Both individuals and families can be enrolled for an appropriate international travel medical insurance plan. In fact, if the family is insured as a whole, it would be highly beneficial as you would get a lot of incentives. However, some of the benefits like preventive care and pregnancy coverage require a minimum waiting period of 12 months before you can avail the incentives.

The beautiful and exotic islands of Hawaii compose one of the greatest vacation locations in the world. A visit there will surely make any vacation more fun. Hawaii has some of the most tourism and it is expanding.

With the world recession it is even more of an advantage to hit Hawaii with the cuts on tourism charges right now. Don’t wait any longer- call to reserve a flight to Hawaii and a hotel room near the beach. The beaches in Waikiki, Oahu, Honolulu, Turtle Bay, North Shore and Lanikai are beautiful and definitely worth checking out. beaches hawaii

Each of these marvelous beaches hosts many excellent resorts and hotels. You can get great deals if you book in advance for the vacation rentals.Hawaii’s islands provide several fantastic beaches and shorelines, each boasting a variety of rental homes.

The Oahu Beachfront Paradise Rental and the Tropical Beachfront Rental are some of the most important rentals in the world that give you wonderful exposure to experience the beachside beauty of Hawaii. Have fun and relax with friends or family in the way you want to with a myriad of services offered on this amazing island paradise.

There are many beautiful condos and resorts to be checked out at each of these prolific and attractive beaches. Vacation rentals are available in cheap and if you book ahead, all the more better. You will find a wide range of vacation rental home spread all across the wonderful beaches and shorelines of the different islands of Hawaii.