SOURCEBOOK / IRRITATIONS

Pack your bags, hedge your bets

Trip insurance helps when the unforeseen unravels travel plans. Just read the fine print.

By Laurie Berger, Special to The Times
12:00 AM PST, January 22, 2006

MOST people wouldn't buy a $20,000 car without insurance to guard against loss or damage; why do travelers leave home without protecting a $10,000 family vacation?

Mainly because they don't think they need trip insurance.

But that's changing after an unprecedented trio of troubles — airline bankruptcies, hurricanes and terrorism — snarled travel plans for thousands last year.

About one of every three travelers bought insurance in 2005, almost double the number who did before Sept. 11, 2001, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Assn.

Last year, insurers paid out $14 million in claims to consumers whose trips were washed out by hurricanes alone, says UStiA President Jon Ansell.

Who is buying? Seniors worried about becoming ill aren't the only ones; much of the new interest comes from young families with tight budgets and small children. To meet consumers' growing need for protection, travel insurers now cover a range of problems: airline default and tsunamis, medical evacuation and concierge services.

But those who have shopped these plans — or have had a claim denied — know they're filled with more holes than Swiss cheese. Plus, it takes a lot of patience to sort through the policies and the fine print that comes with them.

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Question: Am I a good candidate for insurance?

Answer: If you can't afford to lose money, travel insurance is a must. The best candidates are those with medical problems, young children or elderly parents. Travelers headed to high-risk areas or booked with suppliers that have strict nonrefundable policies — such as airlines and cruise lines — should also consider insurance.

Question: What does insurance cost?

Answer: A good yardstick is 4% to 8% of the total trip cost. The older you are, the higher the premium. On a $1,500 trip, the average cost would be an additional $60 to $120 per person.

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