Protecting Your Vacation
Planning a family vacation can be stressful. Even after you have figured out all your travel plans, there is still a worry that something might go wrong. Nevertheless, you can protect your vacation plans by making certain choices when booking and by exploring trip insurance.
A hotel or rental car company can cancel your reservations with little or no notice even if you have a written confirmation. Such reservations are merely courtesies that do not give you an actual legal interest in the room or car. However, if you have paid in advance, you may have legal recourse, including a lawsuit for breach of contract. If you lost a substantial amount of money and were seriously inconvenienced after a hotel or travel provider canceled your reservation (and you made a deposit payment), consider talking to your attorney. Find out if your case is appropriate for small claims court, a breach of contract suit, or some other legal recourse. You may be able to get your money back and be compensated for additional expenses incurred.
If you are going to pay in advance or provide a deposit, use a credit card. Many cards will guarantee your room or car reservations as a benefit. You should call your credit card provider to determine the coverage available. If the hotel fails to honor your reservation, contact your credit card company to see what it can do for you. You may have to move to a different, similar hotel, but you will still have somewhere to rest your head at night.
If your travel plans are disrupted, either by a hotel or a travel company, or if the providers don't live up to your expectations, your credit card company will likely be able to help you recover your money and dispute the charges. Call your credit card company's customer service number on the back of your card as soon as you realize there is a problem and keep records of any receipts or bills.
Of course, if you are planning the trip of your dreams, you may want more protection in case something goes wrong, for example, an emergency cancellation or if the travel agent goes bankrupt. This is where trip insurance plays a role. Trip insurance, like most insurance, allows you to pay a set-fee up front, and then if something happens, you can make a claim for your losses. There are a number of types of travel insurance, including cancellation, medical, death, and lost luggage/personal items. You will likely be able to find an insurance policy that combines all or some of these options to get the appropriate coverage for you.
A tip before you start shopping for travel insurance: check your current insurance policies. Call the providers of your home, rental, and/or auto insurance policies. There is a chance they cover medical care in another state or country, replacing lost or stolen personal items, or damages associated with car accidents.
If you are planning to purchase travel insurance, make sure the company is reputable. The Federal Trade Commission cautions against travel insurance scams frequently conducted over the phone, fax, or email. Check with the Better Business Bureau, your travel agent, or your current insurance provider before making any insurance purchases.
For more information on travel insurance and how to protect your investments when planning vacations, visit the websites for the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov/travel), the American Society of Travel Agents (www.travelsenses.org), or the Insurance Information Institute (www.iii.org/articles/travel-insurance.html).