on insurance � john martinen

THE EUROPEAN AIRSPACE wasempty of commercial flights. Countlesstravelers stranded in airports from London to Rome spent days waiting for airlines to resume operations. Tens ofthousands of North Americans saw theirtransatlantic flights cancelled, and theirdreams of a European vacation shattered.The airlines lost $200 million per dayduring the shutdown. Unfortunatelyfor thousands of travelers without tripcancellation insurance, a staggeringamount of personal funds was lost.

If an erupting volcano teaches usanything about planning ahead, it’s thenecessity of trip cancellation insurance.There are two types, and they comple-ment each other:

CANCELLATION FOR COVERED REASONSThis is the traditional benefit package

in travel insurance that reimburses thetraveler if he or she cancels the trip forreasons that are covered by the insur-ance. Covered Reasons typically includea medical condition that forces the trav-eler to cancel the trip. Or it could be thedeath or health problem of a travelingcompanion or close relative. Many otherreasons for canceling a trip are also cov-ered. In the case of the volcano event,the airline shutdown was a classic exam-ple of a Covered Reason. Cancellation

for Covered Reasons is included in mosttravel insurance plans automatically andrequires no additional premium.

CANCEL FOR ANY REASONThe company that provides Leisure

Group Travel readers with Our TravelProtector was the first company tooffer Cancel for Any Reason. It workslike this: If you decide to cancel yourtrip at least two days before departure,the insurance reimburses you for 75%of your non-refundable trip costs. You

are never asked why you cancelled yourtrip because the reason for canceling isnot important. Cancel for Any Reasonis optional coverage that requires addi-tional premium.

“SHOULD I GO?” QUESTIONSConsider this situation: You have a

group that will be flying from the UnitedStates to Paris and everyone boughttravel insurance. The volcano may dis-rupt European air travel again, but noone knows when. Your travelers begin toget nervous; they ask you whether theyshould cancel or still take the trip.If they purchased travel insurance,

but not Cancel for Any Reason, the insurance will cover them only if theirflight is cancelled and the airline isgrounded, typically for 12 hours ormore. But if travelers cancel their trips

and the flights still take place, the in-surance will not cover their cancella-tions, and they will lose all of their tripinvestments. If they bought the optional Cancel

for Any Reason benefit, your travelerscan get a 75% cash refund if they don’tgo on the trip, so long as they notifyyou of their decision to cancel at leasttwo days before the scheduled departure.The reason is not important - they mightjust be afraid of getting stranded in Europe. Your travelers have peace ofmind knowing that 75% of their tripinvestment is protected no matter whathappens with the volcano.When you get “what should I do”

questions about travel insurance, it’s bestto have your travelers call the insurancecompany to get the answers from thesource. You don’t want to try to interpretthe coverage yourself - that puts you in a risky position if you make a mistake. It is vitally important that the traveler’s decision to travel or to cancel is based onan accurate interpretation of the policy.To learn more about Our Travel

Protector and travel insurance in general,visit www.OurTravelProtector.com,where you’ll find some very interestingarticles and an excellent insurance planyou should consider using for yourtravelers.

Volcanic Ash and Trip Cancellation Insurance

Tens of thousands of North Americans saw theirdreams of a European vacation shattered.

John Martinen graduated from Michigan State

University and New York University Law School.

After traveling as chief purser on Grace Line

cruise ships in the Caribbean and South America,

he developed the first cruises in the Galapagos

Islands. He served as president of Globus & Cos-

mos, Vista Travel Ventures and Trafalgar Tours,

before joining Safe Passage International as a

principal in 2003.

16 June 2010 LeisureGroupTravel.com

Call U.S. TOURS Today! 888-393-8687

Rates are in U.S. Dollars per guest, double occupancy, capacity controlled and cruise only. Restrictions apply. Ship’s Registry: Panama.

Carnival reserves the right to re-instate

the fuel supplement for all guests at up to

$9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil

price exceeds $70 per barrel.

Per Person Prices:

$698$698 Interior Stateroom

$748$748 Ocean View

$828$828 Balcony

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ffrroomm NNeeww OOrrlleeaannss

The Queen of the Mississippi & The Carnival Triumph The Queen of the Mississippi & The Carnival Triumph

Jan. 20-27 and Jan. 29-Feb. 5Jan. 20-27 and Jan. 29-Feb. 5

This is a French Quarter Cruise & Play Tour. We've combined sightseeing in the Port of New Orleans with aThis is a French Quarter Cruise & Play Tour. We've combined sightseeing in the Port of New Orleans with a

“Fun Ship ” cruise through the Mississippi Delta south into the Caribbean. Experience first the soul of “Fun Ship ” cruise through the Mississippi Delta south into the Caribbean. Experience first the soul of

New Orleans from your hotel in the Vieux Carre. Feel the rhythm of Bourbon Street, hear the wail of JazzNew Orleans from your hotel in the Vieux Carre. Feel the rhythm of Bourbon Street, hear the wail of Jazz

Trumpets celebrating into the night and taste the flavor of a cuisine perfected by centuries.Trumpets celebrating into the night and taste the flavor of a cuisine perfected by centuries.

Then fall in love with the Carnival TriumphThen fall in love with the Carnival Triumph a ship packed with Balcony staterooms. You'll get a giant dose a ship packed with Balcony staterooms. You'll get a giant dose

of fun with Carnival's Seaside Theater , three pools, a waterslide and Spa Carnival. Oh, and mini golf. And of fun with Carnival's Seaside Theater , three pools, a waterslide and Spa Carnival. Oh, and mini golf. And

a sliding Sky Dome. Sailing into the Western Caribbean you can dive among Cozumel's famous coral reefs,a sliding Sky Dome. Sailing into the Western Caribbean you can dive among Cozumel's famous coral reefs,

ride a beach buggy or swim with a dolphin. Then at Progreso, Yucatan you can visit one of the new Sevenride a beach buggy or swim with a dolphin. Then at Progreso, Yucatan you can visit one of the new Seven

Wonders of the World - the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.Wonders of the World - the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.

Sailing twice a month year-round you can schedule this tour to fit your schedule. Prices vary with season.Sailing twice a month year-round you can schedule this tour to fit your schedule. Prices vary with season.

Note, we have great group rates secured in January. So, Hop aboard and get the fun started.Note, we have great group rates secured in January. So, Hop aboard and get the fun started.

U.S. Tours Cruise Tour Package includes:

• Two Nights Lodging in the French Quarter

• Dinner & Private Cooking Class at

the New Orleans School of Cooking

• Dixieland Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters

• French Quarter Walking Tour

• Five Day Cruise on the Carnival Triumph

• Visits To Cozumel & Progreso Mexico

• Meals aboard Ship

• All Taxes & Fees on these services

• Luggage Handling at the Hotel & Pier

• One free berth with every 10 paid full fare guests

• PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED!

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PlusPlusOne Free

One Freewith every

with every 10 Paid10 Paid