Eye on Travel Insurance

June 2010 issue | Appears on page 53

When is it a good idea to buy a full-feature travel insurance package?
By Wayne Wirtanen
To buy or not to buy: that is the question. Plus a quote from the former Consumer Reports Travel Newsletter, and how to deal with travel insurance sales techniques.
November 2009 issue | Appears on page 59

Eye on Travel Insurance » it can’t protect you everywhere
By Wayne Wirtanen
How to avoid travel to dangerous destinations not covered by travel insurance, plus recommendations on four good books on the topic of dangerous places.
June 2009 issue | Appears on page 58

Eye on Travel Insurance » Travel insurance update
By Wayne Wirtanen
Notification of change in travel insurance cost by STA Travel (see April 2006, page 52). Also, a tip on purchasing a little-known, zero-trip-cost policy, aka post-departure policy, which came to be known in ITN as The Betty James Travel Insurance Strategy (Sept. 2010, page 54). Also, “layoff” coverage and help in choosing a travel insurance policy.
May 2009 issue | Appears on page 66

Emergency Medical Evacuation 101 — what overseas travelers need to know
By Wayne Wirtanen
A discussion of “Medivac,” who supplies it and what to do if you should need it.
August 2007 issue | Appears on page 0

Eye on Travel Insurance » Q&A
By Wayne Wirtanen
Answers to questions received from readers regarding travel insurance. Read about ITN readers’ travel insurance experiences.
April 2007 issue | Appears on page 0

Eye on Travel Insurance » Why are there no travel insurance companies?
By Wayne Wirtanen
1. A discussion of the structure of the travel insurance business. The companies which we commonly refer to as travel insurance companies are only suppliers/providers (and administrators of travel insurance policies). They are backed up by underwriters, who are the actual insurance companies. 2. A Tennessee “travel insurance company” was selling not travel insurance but “travel protection plans” without a license. According to the Tennessee Insurance Commissioner, “this leaves policy holders in danger.” Advice on how to avoid this type of problem.
August 2006 issue | Appears on page 0

Eye on Travel Insurance — Consider the odds
By Wayne Wirtanen
A further discussion of the topic first published in the August 1994 issue, page 37.
April 2006 issue | Appears on page 0

Eye on Travel Insurance » STA Travel, an alternative travel insurance source
By Wayne Wirtanen
Insurance companies generally charge according to the cost of the trip (typically 4% to 8%). For example, at 6%, coverage for a 3-week trip costing $4,000 would cost $240. STA's charges are based on the length of the trip; for any trip lasting 16 to 22 days, coverage would cost only $100. (See June 2009, page 58, for changes for the over-35 traveler.)