Free FACT Consumer Reports: Banking, Insurance, and Employment History

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Annual reminder for 2013. The most well known part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) is that you can get a free copy of your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus once every 12 months. However, there are also several other consumer databases that you should check as well which are also available absolutely free once every 12 months, and they can also have a significant financial impact. If you got one last year, you can now get another one and reset the 12 month clock.

ChexSystems Banking History
ChexSystems is a consumer information database used by an estimated 80-90% of all banks to help determine the risk of opening new accounts. Think of it as the bank’s version of a credit bureau. If a person commits check fraud or overdraws their account, it will be listed here. In addition, the simple act of opening or closing a bank account may be recorded in their database. Getting a negative ChexSystems record can leave you blacklisted from opening bank accounts at most major banks.

Get your free ChexSystems consumer report here.

Medical History Used For Insurance Underwriting
MIB (previously known as Medical Information Bureau) is run by 470 insurance companies and has a “primary mission of detecting and deterring fraud that may occur in the course of obtaining life, health, disability income, critical illness, and long-term care insurance.” They record information of “underwriting significance” for those who have applied for life and health insurance with MIB member companies. If you have not applied for individually underwritten life, health, or disability income insurance during the preceding seven year period, then you probably don’t have a record.

Get your free MIB consumer file here.

Insurance Claims History
CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, and they collect information that is used to calculate your potential risk of loss and thus your insurance premiums. You can also find out about previous claims on the house you are currently renting or recently bought, even if they weren’t made by you.

The C.L.U.E. ®Personal Property report provides a seven year history of losses associated with an individual and his/her personal property. The following data will be identified for each loss: date of loss, loss type, and amount paid along with general information such as policy number, claim number and insurance company name.

The C.L.U.E. ®Auto report provides a seven year history of automobile insurance losses associated with an individual. The following data will be identified for each loss: date of loss, loss type, and amount paid along with general information such as policy number, claim number and insurance company name.

Get your free CLUE Auto and Personal Property Reports here.

In addition, you should also request your free A-PLUS report (Automated Property Loss Underwriting System), which is a smaller database that also contains information about property loss claims.

Employment History
When a potential employer runs a background check through LexisNexis (formerly known as ChoicePoint), this is the information they see. It doesn’t seem to claim be comprehensive, and they may have only limited or even no data about you, but I would still check for potentially negative data.

LexisNexis Screening Solutions Inc. provides Employment History Reports to employers only with a job applicant’s or employee’s consent. Employers utilize a variety of companies to obtain employment history information. Our files would only contain information on you if LexisNexis provided your Employment History Report to an employer.

Get your free LexisNexis employment history report here.

Tenant History
This report can be important if you are a renter and someone runs a background check on you at LexisNexis (ChoicePoint).

LexisNexis Screening Solutions provides Resident History Reports to housing providers that have the subject’s consent. Housing Providers utilize a variety of companies to obtain tenant history information. Our files would only contain information on you if LexisNexis provided your Resident History Report to a housing provider.

Get your free LexisNexis tenant history report here.

LexisNexis Full Disclosure File
You may notice that LexisNexis is involved in many different areas above. As one of the largest personal information databases in the US and a for-profit company (part of Reed Elsevier), they should just rename themselves Big Brother, Inc. You can request a “Full File Disclosure” that supposedly includes all of the information that they have on you – including public records, real estate transaction and ownership data, lien, judgment, and bankruptcy records, professional license information, and historical addresses on file.

Request your LexisNexis Full File Disclosure here. You’ll need to fill out a PDF form and snail mail it in.

This is part of my annual checklist at the beginning of each new year.

Find more in Banking, Insurance, Real Estate | 1/2/13, 12:01pm | Trackback

Unmarried couples may get auto insurance discounts

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

An increasing number of states are passing legislation that allows couples involved in domestic partnerships and civil unions equal rights to that of married couples, Insurance.com reports.

Many car insurance companies have followed suit by offering discounts to heterosexual and same-sex partners that are recognized by their state as having a legal relationship.

Depending on the state, the grammar used to describe a legal relationship may vary. Civil unions and domestic partnerships fall in the same umbrella of legal relationships, according to the website.

All insurance companies are required to accord with state laws in how to treat domestic partnerships and civil unions. However, certain agencies are more vocal than others about informing the public about their discounts.

Statistically, married couples are less likely to file a claim than a single person, according to Insurance.com, therefore discounts are given to them. While a couple's driving record affects the insurance premium, and ultimately the rate varies from state to state, a discount can be up to 10 percent, the news source states.

For instance, one company recently announced a discount to those in civil unions in Illinois following the state's approval of the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, which gives those in civil unions similar rights to married couples.

David Peasley, research director of gay and lesbian outreach organization Community Marketing, said that travel and beverage industries started engaging such domestic partnerships 20 year ago and companies that adopt that philosophy experienced an increase in customer loyalty. Community Marketing states that the gay and lesbian community makes up more than 10 percent of the consumer market.

"Insurance companies are becoming more active," Paisley says. "All the research shows that the first thing any company in any industry needs to do is get their own house in order. If you start advertising to the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] communities and don't have the right personnel policies in place, it can actually become a negative."

View the original article here

The factors that may influence auto insurance rates

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

As anyone who has shopped around for auto insurance knows, there's wide variation in how auto insurance plans are priced. Not only do prices vary among providers, they're often different from person to person.

The main reason why this is the case is because several factors are taken into consideration by insurers when assessing a policyholder's premiums. As the Insurance Information Institute* (III) indicates, prices are determined after analyzing several different criteria.

Driving record

One of the main one criteria considered is the policyholder's driving record. As a general rule, the cleaner the record is, the more affordable the plan will be. That's because a history of traffic violations and accidents is an indication to the insurer that the driver may be involved in another accident. That increased risk generally leads to higher premiums, III notes.

Frequency of vehicle use

Another factor is how often the car is used, III indicates. Naturally, if someone spends a great portion of their day behind the wheel, it increases the risk they will be involved in an accident. Thus, driving less often not only saves motorists on gas, but it also generally saves them on premiums.

Where the car will be driven

Insurers also take where the policyholder lives under advisement. III points out that some parts of the country, particularly urban localities, have higher rates of crime than others. This increased risk of vandalism may translate into higher costs.

The insured's age

The policyholder’s age also plays a role. While there are always exceptions, statistics show that younger drivers tend to be in more accidents than drivers who are older. As a result, individuals 25 and under are often charged a bit more, according to III.

The type of car

Just as the make and model of a vehicle affects its sticker price, auto insurance providers also weigh these factors. The size of the engine, cost of repairs and the vehicle's safety record all vary from vehicle to vehicle, leading to disparities in premium prices, III indicates.

Amount of coverage

The extent of an auto insurance plan also influences premiums. III notes that just about every state requires motorists to at least have liability insurance , but some people choose to purchase additional coverage, especially if they have purchased an expensive vehicle. That's because liability insurance is limited in what it provides. For instance, liability protection does not cover a stolen vehicle; replacing the vehicle will have to be paid for out-of-pocket. Comprehensive coverage can help policyholders recover their losses if their vehicle is stolen.

Consumers may want to consult with their insurance agent about additional factors that are considered in the rate assessment process and what they can do to help lower their monthly premiums.

*according to the Insurance Information Institute on Feb. 22, 2012

View the original article here

New Year''s a chance to check insurance coverage

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

As January 1 rolls around, many may be thinking of how to stick to their New Year's resolutions.

However, turning the calendar to a new year may also provide the opportunity for some financial management regarding insurance coverage. Many experts note policies should be reviewed at least once a year to ensure owners have the proper amount of protection.

A number of factors could play into a need for new life, home or auto insurance coverage. Getting a better-paying job, for example, may lead to another car, additional possessions or a higher standard of living, all of which will require a look at policies.

Experts note getting married, having children or buying a home are all instances when people should review their insurance coverage. Even a divorce could lead to necessary policy changes.

When considering additional insurance, there are ways for consumers to save money. Getting multiple policies from one provider may lead to savings. Comparison shopping is also a tool policy owners can use.

View the original article here

Three simple ways to save on car insurance

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Tara Baukus Mello, an automotive writer for Bankrate.com, shared three ways that drivers can lower insurance costs and still be secure in their coverage.

Mello first advised making sure that your estimated annual mileage is still accurate, especially if your work situation has changed and doesn’t require you to drive as much. The less miles you’re on the road per year, the lower your insurance rates can be.

She also pointed out that there are increased risk factors involved when accidents occur with a driver who is either not adequately insured or not insured at all. Having minimal car insurance coverage will save a lot of money in the event that you incur damages caused by an uninsured driver.

In addition to updating your policy, Mello also cautioned drivers to keep their credit score as high as possible and to have their insurers take their new score into account when it rises.

Mello said that with a struggling economy, many people cut their coverage to save money. A study from the Insurance Research Council recently released a study that connected unemployment with the rate of uninsured drivers.

View the original article here

What happens when young adults leave their parents'' insurance policy

Click Here!

When young adults graduate from college and start living on their own, several changes result that differ significantly from when they were living with their parents. Not only do they start taking on added responsibilities, but their financial obligations become more significant as they start to pay for their own rent, food and car.
Kiplinger.com* indicates something else they do is start paying for their own auto insurance, as insurers often require young adults who were originally under their parents' plans to buy their own policies.
Perhaps because of its ease or parents' influence, these young adults often sign up for their own policy with the same provider they had under their mom and dad.
But as the source indicates, it pays to shop around.
"Even if you're happy with your policy, it's a good idea for anyone of any age or life stage to examine his or her coverage now and then to make sure he or she is getting the best deal," the financial news periodical indicates. "But it's especially important for young adults because several factors that go into calculating your rate are in flux in your twenties and thirties."
It pays to get older
Advancing in age is particularly beneficial for young policyholders, as the source indicates. Young drivers tend to have the highest rates, as statistics suggest teenagers are involved in traffic accidents more frequently than people who are older. The older individuals get, the more likely it is their rates will decline, provided they have a good traffic safety record.
Establishing good credit can help policyholders save
The building of credit can also have influence on premiums. Kiplinger.com notes that because young people often have limited credit, it can initially result in higher insurance rates. But as younger policyholders age and consistently make their payments on time, insurers often respond favorably by lowering rates.
Graduating from college may yield savings
Not only does getting older and having strong credit work in a young policyholders favor, graduating from college can also play a role in lower rates. Kinglinger.com cited how insurers look upon college graduates favorably, especially those with advanced degrees. Citing a study from Insure.com, the source indicates jobs that require graduate work tend to have the lowest rates.
Insurance shopping has never been easier
Kiplinger.com says the internet has made it easier than ever to shop for insurance. There's a wide variety of comparison websites, which price and contrast various providers and estimate what policyholders’ costs will be based upon certain factors they fill in, such as vehicle type, age and residence. However, some providers require that policyholders contact them directly.
Either way, insurers have increased the ways in which policyholders can obtain auto insurance coverage and the ways in which they can lower their monthly premiums.
*according to Kiplinger.com on Jan. 31, 2012

View the original article here

Travel insurance, it is a spiritual

Travel insurance is the last thing that many of us think about before the holidays. You feel relief when the trip is paid for. Start saving "money." In time, you can decide where to go, to go, where to stay, that flight or cruise to take, just don't remember "travel insurance" and this could be a huge mistake for all of us.
We can invest in travel to far away places, we can carefully to purchase new clothes, Sun glasses, new luggage, underwear, and other accessories, only to leave us wide open to the catastrophe and the loss of money, if any of the following events occurs: the company tour operator decides that needs the tummy tuck, at the expense of the customer, or the company's tour disappear, or airline goes bankrupt or impact or Hurricane age, named after Your ex wife, makes a turn to the left and heads straight to Your travel or part of California is located in the Ocean because of earthquakes and the action upsets the rest of the world's oceans, delays flights, extreme, illness during the holidays, because the drink of water, and a BIG one, terrorist attack, not to mention, if you loose the passport or the worst, the Ocean and the claims of the Residentialwhere you are staying.
All the jokes, you can purchase travel insurance against trip cancellation, travel interruptions, missed calls, airline ticket coverage, medical expenses, emergency medical transport, baggage, delayed baggage, Accidental death and have 24-hour travel assistance service available from there, any where in the world.
"Real" reasons to buy travel insurance
OK quite negative. I am sure you get the point. There is, however, more important reasons to purchase travel insurance; Protects your persistent home if something happen during the journey.
Example: what older people who have waited their entire life to travel only to find out that Medicare does not cover to anyone outside the United States! Can you picture spending sizable amounts of pensions in payment of medical bills in another country? There are Major Medical Polices for travellers (including seniors) who are going abroad for a period of at least 6 months and require more permanent insurance. These plans provide complete protection for medical emergency medical treatment, wellness care and optional prescription drug coverage.
Example: people who have travel insurance had completely different experience, Emily (Hurricane) hit the Mexican Yucatan, in July 2005. First of all the name and went to is trying to catch the flight to the airport. At some point there were no more flights were only buses carrying thousands of touring inland away from the storm. With travel insurance does not cover "costs" (I'm sure it was enough only to worry about his life), realizing that they could be reimbursed by their policies. Those without insurance you are interested in the costs of accommodation and food, until Emily got better ratio. Surely many tourist without travel insurance had to spend part of their upcoming monthly budget before putting it safely home. (I wonder what happens to those who reached their limit on credit cards) We cannot go to what happened to the tourists who were staying in the small Hotels Katrina hit the city!
Another example of a "real" reasons to purchase travel insurance, are skiing in the Alps, are dogging muldach (or they can be dogging) and delayed in turn. Not a real problem, but you need to be airlifted to the nearest hospital to have x-rays taken. Transport cost? Who pays? You can do if you do not have the proper (travel), medical insurance or accident insurance. (Will be paying for the ride to the hospital helicopter upset monthly budget home?)
And what a classic example? Leave the pouch of money from your credit cards and travel checks carried out in the cabin, in the way back to the hotel. It happens all the time. Insurance, not to return.
Important information:
Note, this is very important: most travel insurance, use the default, terrorism insurance and insurance previously within 10 days of the initial reservation travel. The Motto, cannot wait until the destination on a US State Department travel warning list to purchase insurance.
The less you have to worry about holiday, the safer you will be. When you travel outside of the United States should be given the freedom of Your account overview. You should always be aware of Your surroundings.
Just with examples. If you can protect yourself and the investment, probably will not need to cover his "almost as an insurance company put invisible" umbrella of protection "around us, so they will not have to pay or is a prayer driving us safe?

Travellers without travel insurance-have a safe journey

Leaving abroad for a holiday is a dream for many of us. We plan our summer vacation and months earlier. Can we save money on travel time, we Cut a lot of corners, we can cut the expenditure in the year, we need to learn all the necessary information about the hotel and the surrounding area for research.
We buy our clothes and our basic needs worked, including Sun cream, swimwear, eyewear, sleepers, cameras, music, books, money, evening wear, hats, Visa, valid passports and other travel documents and medication. On the day before you travel to us, see our list of check to make sure that we have everything we need. When we reach the airport check in, please place the window. During the flight we go through everything again, to see if we have missed anything, and then we can relax, as now we also make sure we have everything we need. Although, paradoxically, we have everything we need, we do not have travel insurance.
Why have travel insurance? We will be only for a few weeks! What happen in just two weeks? Why spend additional £ 20 to £ 30 pounds on each ticket? Two weeks will go just like that of the Sun, water and fun. But not! Mr. h will not travel without travel insurance!
When we reached our destination, we can already settled in our hotel, we will use the food, the weather, swimming pool, Sea, cultural programmes in the evening, dance, snooker, cinema screens, large, and our second day we do the same again.
Our third day we do the same again. It is now more like routine and nature are we getting bored with do the same. We will plan something different for the fourth day, something more adventure, something unusual. How about desert safari? Leave early morning in the jeep. Fun for half a day and return to the dinner time. We are planning a safari to the front of the day and we need to pay upfront fees.
Yes, on the fourth day, we wake up early, we can Dress according to the voyage; We put our glasses, scarves, we can be a lot of sand, so we can cover Our faces. We have our breakfast early, we choose to light as we can feel sick on the journey otherwise.
Mr. h and the family are ready and waiting for the jeep safari to reach. Mr. h and the family are disabled for safari. Unfortunately, Mr. H jeep loses control of driving round a sharp bend in the road and the jeep is involved in an accident. Mr. h did not know what happened for months. The next scene will attach in the hospital. God help us, it has a serious injury to the head and they must act promptly. A week later, he is released from the hospital and the insurance company pays the full price for a private plane equipped with medical it home. The total cost of the medical equipment and transport was just over £ 100,000.
This incident happened in 2008. Mr. h is happy to have survived. He survived because he had the best medical care at the time, but above all he was able to pay for it, because he had of travel insurance. Become a take travel insurance for leisure next?

Cut Away Your Health Insurance Bill With Medical Travel

Asaving 40% to 90% on the cost of a Heart Bypass, knee replacement, dental work, face lift, or any number of other, seriously expensive medical procedure? If you answered yes, you might consider looking into medical travel, which can cut up to 90% of your typical medical costs for the same procedure in the U.S.

If the price of your procedure is going to be above $5000 in the U.S, you should seriously look at exploring the medical travel option. Obviously the more complicated the procedure, the bigger the savings. As the array of cost comparisons show, you can save up to $190,000 dollars on some procedures. The downside? You get to take a holiday in some exotic location to recuperate. What a hassle right?

Some of the destination countries might be considered to be third-world but the treatment and care is first rate. There are a host of companies based here in the U.S. that will put you in touch with the hospital abroad that best suits your needs. The array of options available are so broad, even first world countries like Singapore and Korea offer care at a fraction of the cost.

Various studies and statistics (I know, lies, damn lies and statistics) show that where people receive initial estimates for a knee replacement in the ball park of $100,000, the equivalent cost invariably can come in below $20,000 . Did I mention that this 20K includes airfare and 5* hotel accommodation? It does.

Ultimately, the decision to investigate these options is easy enough to make. There's no shortage of information on various locations, cost comparisons and most important, media clippings from renowned news outlets. Check it out today - what do you have to lose?

re you interested in

Obtaining Travel Medical Insurance - 5 Types Of Coverage You Need

In days of old, when Polynesian, European, and other ancient seafaring peoples set out to sea for a journey in their hand-crafted boats and ships, they had no guarantees that they would be coming home again. These brave peoples only knew that they were searching for riches or new places to live someplace far away, but they did not have compasses, maps, or a GPS system to guide them. And often, they did not return home.
Today, when we take a trip by sea, air, or land, we have a much, much better chance of returning safely than did those ancient seafaring peoples. Travel has become an extremely safe affair, especially when it comes to the major modes of transport to and from our destinations. Airplanes, ships and trains have become extremely safe modes of transportation - much safer than the automobiles we use every day while at home, in fact.
And yet, even these days when you travel you face certain risks. There is always the possibility of getting into a fender bender, getting injured while hiking, having a boating accident, falling ill with a rare disease, getting food poisoning, etc. Fortunately, we have something these days that our ancestors did not: access to travel medical insurance.
If you are planning on obtaining travel medical insurance for an upcoming journey abroad, here are 5 types of coverage you need:
1. Make sure it covers your care from time of accident or illness until you return to your home country:
Some illnesses and accidents that you encounter while on the road can be treated successfully while you are still in-country. However, getting into a very serious accident or succumbing to an exotic disease for which you forgot to get vaccinated is not outside of the realm of possibility. To handle this type of situation, you will want to make sure that the travel medical insurance policy that you purchase includes coverage for your continued care once you return home.
2. Check out any destination or activity restrictions:
Read the policy you buy carefully and look for any restrictions related to either your planned destination country (or region) or any types of risky activities. It would be a shame to buy a policy that you cannot cash in on because you unknowingly violated a hidden policy restriction during your trip.
3. Verify that the policy will cover your hospital needs while you are still in-country:
Of course, as a basic requirement, you will need your policy to cover your in-country hospital bills for a reasonable duration that covers your treatment.
4. Make sure that the policy will cover your transportation needs to and from the hospital:
If you get into an accident or get sick at your hotel while traveling, you will need access to transportation staffed with medically-trained staff (i.e., an ambulance) to transport you to and from the hospital. Be sure that coverage for such transportation is included in your policy.
5. Read the fine print concerning specialty treatments:
Finally, read the fine print about getting access to specialty treatments. For example, if the hospital to which you are first transported does not have the proper facilities to handle your required treatment, you need your coverage to take that possibility into account; you need coverage for expenses related to secondary transportation to another facility.
As you look into obtaining travel medical insurance, consider these 5 types of coverage that you will need in order to get the peace of mind you deserve for your upcoming trip.

The Importance of Medical Travel Insurance

When traveling abroad on holiday, no one expects to fall ill, and if you are visiting overseas destinations it really is important to give some thought to the healthcare available and how to deal with an unforeseen medical situation in a foreign country. The unfamiliar environment can contribute to great distress for the unsuspecting tourist. Having to communicate in a foreign language with different and unfamiliar customs and the inability to understand what is happening can be very frightening. It is important to know that there are some unscrupulous medical centres around, particularly in popular tourist resorts where they prioritize financial considerations over quality of treatment and there are plenty of pitfalls to affect the unsuspecting tourist.
In Europe most countries have a very robust State healthcare system that provides the very highest levels of medical facilities and expertise. Generally if you fall ill, there is no shortage of medical care available, however, if you travel to Southern Europe, along the Mediterranean coast, (this area includes countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus etc.) you may find that, although there are State Health facilities, many private outpatient and inpatient hospitals have been built specifically to deal with the tourist market and one needs to take certain precautions if medical attention is required.
Often in these countries there is a whole network that has been established to take tourists directly to a private hospital or its affiliate outpatient centres where they commence an elaborate treatment regime which is often very expensive and often clinically unnecessary, purely for monetary gain. If you have traveled without Travel Insurance or without a reputable insurance product, this can lead to great personal hardship with treatment costs often ending up in thousands of dollars.
One infamous example of this type of abuse, which has been highly publicized in the European Press, occurred recently in Corfu. It was found that numerous tourists, who, after suffering a minor fall which resulted in a mild ankle sprain, were being x-rayed and operated upon under general anesthetic for a procedure which was not medically appropriate. Not only was this potentially life threatening and likely to cause unnecessary complications but also very expensive the average cost being $20,000. Incredibly these clinics are still operating unabated today.
Many of the hotels in major tourist resorts will also offer free health checks particularly to the elderly. Beware, Most elderly people will have some underlying medical condition which is maintained with regular medication prescribed by their GP. There have been numerous cases, where people have gone to these health checks with a medically stable condition and found that their treatment regimes were being altered which then caused complications resulting in admission to a private hospital and the loss of a holiday.
Additionally, hotels, taxis and even travel reps are often given commissions for taking tourists to a private clinic and indeed in many tourist resorts the ambulances are provided by the private hospitals purely to capitalize on the tourist dollar. For example, it is quite common in an emergency for a patient to be driven past a major State Hospital with all the appropriate emergency facilities and be admitted instead to an inferior private clinic. This is because the private hospital network is funded largely by the tourist market.
It is also worth knowing that in many European countries, whilst the State Hospitals offer a high level of medical care the nursing care is limited to medical attention only. This seldom includes the type of care we take for granted here in Australia such as welfare and general personal hygiene issues as they see this as something a relative or loved one would take care of. In such a situation it is possible to arrange for a private nurse to assist and this may even be covered by a Travel Insurance policy.
In African and Asian countries the biggest issue is the actual availability of healthcare and if you suffer from a more serious underlying medical condition then often the nearest medical facility will not have sufficient resources and expertise to deal with it. It is therefore quite common in serious cases to medically evacuate patients to a more suitable hospital which can cost anything up to $100,000. Even in this situation caution is required as there are unscrupulous Air Ambulance companies that act independently from the hospital with the sole aim of transferring a patient to another hospital outside the existing health arrangements which can prove extremely costly.
Healthcare in North America, including the Caribbean and Mexico, is very expensive and no one should consider traveling to these destinations without a comprehensive insurance policy. Whilst the medical care is of a high standard the costs are also extremely high and can easily escalate to hundreds of thousands of dollars. If holidaying in the Caribbean or countries in the Gulf region, again there is the risk of requiring a medical evacuation into the USA for treatment and this adds further to the already expensive costs.
There is no substitute for having a good quality travel insurance product. This will ensure that well trained medical assistance staff will always be on hand to offer all the support that you need in any such unforeseen situation.
Experienced multi-lingual staff will always be available to guide and assist you through these difficult times and the highest standard of medical expertise will always ensure that you have the appropriate medical treatment at the right time so you can avoid the complications of inappropriate and potentially dangerous medical treatment and the worry of unnecessary medical fees. They will also make sure that you arrive home safely if your travel plans are affected.

Why is It Vitally Important to Buy a Travel & Medical Insurance When Booking a Trip

The high travel season is at the corner now. People from all walks of life around the world are currently busy searching for the best offers of air and land travel, accommodations, vacation packages to suit their dreams, needs and budgets. Some of them have even started to make their reservations.

Here I would like to emphasize one vitally important thing, which is a must to remember when booking a trip, but ignored by a great number of travelers.

Much has been written on the importance of having insurance coverage while you are on a trip, away from home. This is an issue that remains somewhat ignored by many travelers. After all, they have been traveling frequently for many years, and nothing happened so far to worry about. So, to buy a travel insurance should not a be a must. It is only an optional precaution!

But, reality urges us to believe traveling anywhere in the world without protection today, is a vital mistake. Regardless of where you are traveling in the world, you must have an insurance coverage to survive any unexpected attacks and disasters, especially after the 9/11 attacks in the U.S.A.

Let's say, you have been planning the trip of your dreams for a long time; you have finally found the opportunity to make your long time dreams of a special trip come true.

You are so excited! You have thought of all the details. You have been actively preparing for this travel; thinking, programming, shopping . . . spending a lot of time, money, and energy! You are proud of yourself that you have finally managed to materialize your dream!

Your trip can really be an unforgettable experience from start to the end, on one condition.

When booking your trip, you should have remembered that, like most exciting events in our lives, travel has some important risks, too. For example, potential medical and/or financial risks associated with travel, can suddenly turn all the excitement and pleasures of the trip to a nightmare.

Your baggage and/or your hand bag with your money, passport, credit cards in, can be stolen leaving you desperate & frustrated in a foreign country.

No one can guarantee that a natural disaster would not happen at the place you would be staying during your trip.

An unexpected accident, injury or illness would suddenly ruin everything. In fact, in the recent years medical costs have increased dramatically, worldwide. How would you be able to pay the emergency medical expenses, expensive hospital bills if you needed an urgent treatment, or surgery and care during your travel when you have lost your money, credit cards, and passport? Isn't it a real nightmare?

In such a frustration, the only thing you would have needed to survive was a reliable medical and travel insurance policy, wasn't it?.

Especially in the light of the horrible threats on and after September 11 terrorist attacks, the war on terror, other ruthless terror attacks in Istanbul, Spain, Egypt and London, frequent flight disruptions and cancellations, airlines' bankruptcies, and more. In addition, travel suppliers such as tour operators and airlines worldwide have made cancellation policies more restrictive.

Therefore, if you have to cancel a trip, it's likely that a big portion of your pre-paid travel expenses will not be refunded by travel suppliers.

Recent SARS and bird flu threats have also been urging travelers and vacationers to seriously consider to buy a travel and medical insurance.

Travel Insurance types and prices defer from one travel insurance provider to another.

You have to review, compare and select the best offers to suit your personal needs.

For instance, some insurance providers do not offer coverage outside the U.S.A. Some companies do not provide emergency medical coverage and care, while others do.

Some airlines do not accept to be held responsible for the acts of God, weather problems, natural disasters, riots and unrests, SARS, bird flu, and similar outbreaks.

The Insurance types you will need on a trip are reviewed below:

Last Minute Cancellation Insurance

With the last minute cancellation and/or interruption insurance you will get coverage on non-refundable deposits you had made when you bought your travel insurance. Read the fine print on the policy carefully when buying this insurance. You should discuss your personal needs with your insurance agent before buying it.

Medical Insurance

This is one of the most important insurance policies you should have. Buying health and medical insurance must be considered as an important part of your travel budget. You can face a health problem or an accident anywhere and anytime during your trip. Be sure your medical and health insurance policy covers illness, accidents, surgeries, hospitalization bills in the countries you will be visiting, emergency medical transportation to your home country. Please remember to have your policies with you when traveling, leaving the copies of your insurance policies with a relative in your home country, in case the policies you have with you are lost.

Comprehensive Insurance Policy

This policy generally covers emergency medical transportation and trip cancellation and interruption, plus other needs you would expect. This insurance costs 5 to 7 percent of the total cost of the trip. You should have it for your safety.

What types of insurance policies do we need for a full protection?

The Essential Insurance Types offered by most providers are Travel, Last Minute, Medical, Health, Life, Hotel, Cruise, Air, Vacations, Luxury, car insurance, sports, and Spa Insurance policies.

Some travel insurance companies also offer affordable coverage for a wide range of winter sports including Ski, Off-Piste and Snowboarding.

We might need not one, but several types of insurance policies according to the general conditions at the destinations we're going to.

If your your kids are going with you, many travel insurance providers let them go free with adults.

Some companies provide policies for students, backpackers, cheap travel, holiday insurance, long stay, international, family travel, single travel, annual travel, annual multi-trips, and more. It's good to know that in this cyber age, you can buy the insurance policies you need online, without even leaving your home.

Most Travel Insurance policies cover Luggage Loss, too.

But you should definitely ask about what's covered and what's not when choosing Travel Insurance Policy to buy. Do ask questions, all questions you might have in mind, until you get all the information you need. It's much better to ask questions when buying insurance than to be sorry later.

How can I find the best insurance type to suit my personal or family needs?

When choosing a travel insurance policy to buy, you should get information on the offers of various insurance providers to compare.

Knowing how time consuming is to search, compare and choose the best travel and medical insurance types and prices to suit your needs and budget, we advice to visit the websites where you can find lists and information about various offers, then compare them, and choose the best ones to suit your needs.

You should keep in mind that buying your travel insurance through travel insurance providers, instead of travel agencies, would save you money in most cases.

In the light of terrorist attacks, unexpected natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, deadly hurricanes, floods, epidemics, accidents, illness, SARS, bird flu, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives at many places around the world, especially in the recent years, every traveler must seriously consider to buy a travel health and a medical insurance, and some other insurance policies if needed, providing a reliable full coverage against both expected and unexpected threats.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Why is It Vitally Important to Buy a Travel & Medical Insurance When Booking a Trip

The high travel season is at the corner now. People from all walks of life around the world are currently busy searching for the best offers of air and land travel, accommodations, vacation packages to suit their dreams, needs and budgets. Some of them have even started to make their reservations.
Here I would like to emphasize one vitally important thing, which is a must to remember when booking a trip, but ignored by a great number of travelers.
Much has been written on the importance of having insurance coverage while you are on a trip, away from home. This is an issue that remains somewhat ignored by many travelers. After all, they have been traveling frequently for many years, and nothing happened so far to worry about. So, to buy a travel insurance should not a be a must. It is only an optional precaution!
But, reality urges us to believe traveling anywhere in the world without protection today, is a vital mistake. Regardless of where you are traveling in the world, you must have an insurance coverage to survive any unexpected attacks and disasters, especially after the 9/11 attacks in the U.S.A.
Let's say, you have been planning the trip of your dreams for a long time; you have finally found the opportunity to make your long time dreams of a special trip come true.
You are so excited! You have thought of all the details. You have been actively preparing for this travel; thinking, programming, shopping . . . spending a lot of time, money, and energy! You are proud of yourself that you have finally managed to materialize your dream!
Your trip can really be an unforgettable experience from start to the end, on one condition.
When booking your trip, you should have remembered that, like most exciting events in our lives, travel has some important risks, too. For example, potential medical and/or financial risks associated with travel, can suddenly turn all the excitement and pleasures of the trip to a nightmare.
Your baggage and/or your hand bag with your money, passport, credit cards in, can be stolen leaving you desperate & frustrated in a foreign country.
No one can guarantee that a natural disaster would not happen at the place you would be staying during your trip.
An unexpected accident, injury or illness would suddenly ruin everything. In fact, in the recent years medical costs have increased dramatically, worldwide. How would you be able to pay the emergency medical expenses, expensive hospital bills if you needed an urgent treatment, or surgery and care during your travel when you have lost your money, credit cards, and passport? Isn't it a real nightmare?
In such a frustration, the only thing you would have needed to survive was a reliable medical and travel insurance policy, wasn't it?.
Especially in the light of the horrible threats on and after September 11 terrorist attacks, the war on terror, other ruthless terror attacks in Istanbul, Spain, Egypt and London, frequent flight disruptions and cancellations, airlines' bankruptcies, and more. In addition, travel suppliers such as tour operators and airlines worldwide have made cancellation policies more restrictive.
Therefore, if you have to cancel a trip, it's likely that a big portion of your pre-paid travel expenses will not be refunded by travel suppliers.
Recent SARS and bird flu threats have also been urging travelers and vacationers to seriously consider to buy a travel and medical insurance.
Travel Insurance types and prices defer from one travel insurance provider to another.
You have to review, compare and select the best offers to suit your personal needs.
For instance, some insurance providers do not offer coverage outside the U.S.A. Some companies do not provide emergency medical coverage and care, while others do.
Some airlines do not accept to be held responsible for the acts of God, weather problems, natural disasters, riots and unrests, SARS, bird flu, and similar outbreaks.
The Insurance types you will need on a trip are reviewed below:
Last Minute Cancellation Insurance
With the last minute cancellation and/or interruption insurance you will get coverage on non-refundable deposits you had made when you bought your travel insurance. Read the fine print on the policy carefully when buying this insurance. You should discuss your personal needs with your insurance agent before buying it.
Medical Insurance
This is one of the most important insurance policies you should have. Buying health and medical insurance must be considered as an important part of your travel budget. You can face a health problem or an accident anywhere and anytime during your trip. Be sure your medical and health insurance policy covers illness, accidents, surgeries, hospitalization bills in the countries you will be visiting, emergency medical transportation to your home country. Please remember to have your policies with you when traveling, leaving the copies of your insurance policies with a relative in your home country, in case the policies you have with you are lost.
Comprehensive Insurance Policy
This policy generally covers emergency medical transportation and trip cancellation and interruption, plus other needs you would expect. This insurance costs 5 to 7 percent of the total cost of the trip. You should have it for your safety.
What types of insurance policies do we need for a full protection?
The Essential Insurance Types offered by most providers are Travel, Last Minute, Medical, Health, Life, Hotel, Cruise, Air, Vacations, Luxury, car insurance, sports, and Spa Insurance policies.
Some travel insurance companies also offer affordable coverage for a wide range of winter sports including Ski, Off-Piste and Snowboarding.
We might need not one, but several types of insurance policies according to the general conditions at the destinations we're going to.
If your your kids are going with you, many travel insurance providers let them go free with adults.
Some companies provide policies for students, backpackers, cheap travel, holiday insurance, long stay, international, family travel, single travel, annual travel, annual multi-trips, and more. It's good to know that in this cyber age, you can buy the insurance policies you need online, without even leaving your home.
Most Travel Insurance policies cover Luggage Loss, too.
But you should definitely ask about what's covered and what's not when choosing Travel Insurance Policy to buy. Do ask questions, all questions you might have in mind, until you get all the information you need. It's much better to ask questions when buying insurance than to be sorry later.
How can I find the best insurance type to suit my personal or family needs?
When choosing a travel insurance policy to buy, you should get information on the offers of various insurance providers to compare.
Knowing how time consuming is to search, compare and choose the best travel and medical insurance types and prices to suit your needs and budget, we advice to visit the websites where you can find lists and information about various offers, then compare them, and choose the best ones to suit your needs.
You should keep in mind that buying your travel insurance through travel insurance providers, instead of travel agencies, would save you money in most cases.
In the light of terrorist attacks, unexpected natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, deadly hurricanes, floods, epidemics, accidents, illness, SARS, bird flu, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives at many places around the world, especially in the recent years, every traveler must seriously consider to buy a travel health and a medical insurance, and some other insurance policies if needed, providing a reliable full coverage against both expected and unexpected threats.
About the Author Sevim OR: Owner and operator of several websites since 1997, providing clients with ultimate marketing to substantially increase sales, revenues & ROI, offering no cost affiliate program to earn big profits, at: http://www.aall-dreamlands.com [http://www.aaa-advertise.com] [http://www.aaa-newswire.com]

America is a hot favorite holiday destination for millions of people all over the world. There are various reasons for this including the presence of wide range of attractions like pristine national park, awesome mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, amazing cities, man made theme parks and more. America hosts millions of tourist from all over the world every year. The other most liked tourist spots in the country are the Salt Lake City, Temple Square, the Las Vegas Casinos, the Washington D.C. Memorial Parks and National Mall, Times Square in New York City, Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks, Miami Beach, New York's Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Magic Kingdom of Disney World in Orlando, Canadian border, Niagara falls and the list is endless. America has many man made as well as natural wonders which attract people in high volume. The United States of America is known of for its hospitable and lavish culture. Hotels and restaurants in the states are luxurious and a place for travelers to find complete peace of mind with multitudes of services and cuisines offered. Today, with the availability of the internet, booking and arranging a trip to a foreign country has become very easy and convenient.
There are lots of travel agencies that can plan your travel ahead of time so that you do not have to bother about every minute details related to travel like booking flight tickets, hotel rooms and researching on places to visit during your stay. Moreover, if the travelers have some relatives who are living in America, it can add to the fun and their relatives can even guide them to make their visit memorable. Those people, who do not have any relative or friend in the United States, prefer to use the internet to search and find information relating to their stay in the country. A lot of information is available including things to do, different traveling requirements and what you should avoid. The changes in weather, food and climatic can affect the elderly people who travel from a foreign country to America. Old age people are prone to attract diseases and other health hazards as compared to young individuals who are quick to adapt to the changed conditions.

People traveling to a foreign land, should always leave their parent country after undergoing a medical check. If the traveler suffers from some pain or a disease, it is advisable to carry the relevant drugs that may prove helpful during your stay in the other country. No one knows when they would need emergency medical care. However, in the United States, the traveler will get comprehensive medical care but the expenses could be very high. Visitors medical insurance can save you from huge hospital bills, in case you need emergency medical assistance during the tour.
As there are many places to visit and explore, travelers should spend sufficient time in the country. To make the most of your trip, careful and beforehand planning is essential. You can gather some useful information from the official tourism websites of America. B2 visa permit is mandatory for tourist to visit America.
With a visitors visa insurance, you can spend your time in a relaxed manner without worrying about any unwanted circumstances. There are various travel insurance companies that you can contact to get a quote depending on your needs and duration of your stay in America.
Give yourself a piece of mind and protect yourself with visitors medical insurance.