Travel Insurance: What is Necessary? - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com

As the travel season approaches, many families will venture to new vacation destinations all over the United States. When preparing for family travel, it is crucial to ensure the proper health, safety and financial protection is in place through various lines of optional insurance coverage. For families traveling by car, the following is an overview of the insurance protection which should be in place so as to protect the family should loss or damage of personal property occur while traveling.

Auto insurance is a key component of insurance coverage to consider when traveling by car. To ensure the traveling driver, as well as passengers, are protected while traveling in a vehicle, the owner of the vehicle should carry not only comprehensive coverage to protect the vehicle, but also liability, bodily injury and Personal Injury Protection. In addition, coverage for Uninsured Motorist is also a cost effective way to ensure medical expenses associated with an auto accident are covered while on vacation.

An additional travel insurance option can be found through credit card companies. With many credit card companies offering coverage for loss or broken souveniors or items which are stolen in addition to protection against lost or stolen cards themselves. While some extensions of credit card insurance coverage are automatically provided with the credit card, others require the card owner to elect such coverage. Before taking a family vacation, contact the credit card companies to determine what coverage is automatically extended as part of the standard services and what additional credit card travel insurance protection can be purchased for a premium. With this type of coverage, damaged extravagant items, such as vases and glass, can be replaced at no cost, when damaged during transport back home.

In addition to auto and credit card insurance, many travelers are unaware of the option to purchase luggage insurance. Before investigating insurance coverage for lost or damaged luggage, first obtain a copy of the homeowner's policy. Under Coverage C, Personal Property, or Coverage D, Additional Coverages, there is commonly a provision for the loss of personal items when traveling, including luggage. Should a homeowner's policy not apply, a local travel agent can provide information regardng travel insurance protection which insures lost, damaged or stolen luggage. In addition to coverage for lost, stolen or damaged luggage, and personal contents, many baggage insurance policies will also insure the cost associated with the purchase of replacement items needed while luggage is delayed, such as in airline travel.

For many families, travel, this season, will be done by car and most vacations will involve lengthy road trips. When considering a family vacation to a destination which may involve the use of excessive luggage and the purchase of souvenirs, consider these optional insurance coverages as part of your travel arrangement plans.

For more information regarding travel insurance, visit www.globaltravelinsurance.com.