The two questions that may be plaguing you before traveling might be where you should go and where to stay. However, that is not the only question you should be asking. Whether or not you should buy travel insurance is another question that should be at the forefront of your mind. More often than not, buying travel insurance is necessary to cover your non-refundable travel expenses.
When To Buy Travel Insurance
Though you aren’t bound to buy travel insurance, it is a good idea for trips on the pricier side. No one wants to see hundreds of dollars go ‘poof!’ due to an unforeseen event. Travel insurance is bound to help you out in such scenarios. The tips given below can help you decide whether travel insurance is for you.
1. 15-Day Time Constraint
If you intend to buy travel insurance, you should do it within 15 days of booking your trip. This ensures full coverage. Anything later gives the impression that you are trying to cheat the system. Moreover, you should always notify the insurance provider within 72 hours of your intent to cancel. The longer you wait to get a policy, the less likely it is that you can file a reimbursement claim. A jeopardizing headline can also contribute to your claim getting denied.
2. Credit Card Trip Protection Benefits
Most credit cards offer trip protection benefits like reimbursement of non-refundable travel purchases, rental car collision damage waiver protection, and incidental delay-related expenses. Though these trip protection benefits may be good in their own right, you may still want to buy travel insurance for the following benefits:
- Emergency Medical Visits and Transportation
- Pre-Existing Conditions
- Terrorism
- Change Fee Coverage
- Extreme Sports
Every destination isn’t without its perils and risks. Travel insurance plays a pivotal role in protecting you from said risks.
Emergency medical assistance is something that can also tip the scales in favor of buying travel insurance. Without the benefits of travel insurance, you can easily spend thousands of dollars on medical assistance and transportation. This is especially true for foreign countries and remote areas.
3. Travel Benefits Exceed Credit Card Benefits
Most credit cards can reimburse up to 5000 dollars’ worth of non-refundable travel expenses. However, should these expenses exceed the limit, your trip could end up being significantly pricier. Travel insurance not only offers supplemental coverage but can also provide reimbursement on the items your credit card can’t cover.
4. Flexible Reimbursement Policies
Travel insurance provides flexible reimbursement policies. A few reasons to buy travel insurance include:
- Cancel for Any Reason
- Unexpected Work Requirements
- Military Deployment
- Personal or Family Illness
- Legal Divorce or Separation
- Travel Provider Goes Bankrupt
It is prudent to mention that every insurance provider has their own cancellation and reimbursement policies.
The purpose of the insurance is to protect you if something unforeseen happens. Hence, there is a chance you will be covered only if something unexpected happens. If there is a chance that you might not be able to make the trip due to personal or business reasons, it is best to skip the trip altogether. Your insurance might reimburse your purchases, but why take the risk in the first place?
When Should You Not Buy Travel Insurance?
Though travel insurance gives you peace of mind, it isn’t always necessary to buy insurance. You don’t need to buy insurance if your trip cost is low. Less costly trips are generally insured by the travel provider. You only need to buy travel insurance if the travel provider doesn’t provide protection. Moreover, you shouldn’t buy travel insurance if you miss the 15-day time limit or if you already have trip protection benefits that are sufficient for your trip.…
Finding a travel buddy on the internet is fraught with perils. It could be possible that you don’t gel. You could end up with a dominant travel buddy who insists on marching through each attraction whereas you want to savor the whole experience. You could end up with a clingy person who insists that you do all the work. Worst case scenario, you could get robbed.
Hence, people are generally wary of finding travel buddies online. You never know what the next person is like. How can you know if they are who they say they are?
That is where apps like Travel Buddy come in. These applications ensure that you don’t have to find a travel buddy. They pick out a travel buddy, even choosing local people. Such apps are a great way to find a travel buddy without the hassles that usually come with it. The apps weed out potential travel buddies. The whole process is essentially very smooth. Such apps even allow you to choose the dates you intend to leave, coming up with the perfect travel buddy.
Here are some of the applications that help make your life easier if you can’t find a travel buddy.
1. Travel Buddy
Topping the list of apps that help find travel buddies, Travel Buddy is an innovative app that allows travelers to connect locally in real-time. The app even allows travelers to chat with each other and give information and advice. What makes the Travel Buddy so great are its great features. The app allows locals to chat with each other. Moreover, for security purposes, travel buddies are registered, verified, and vetted for. Providing ease in finding travel buddies, the app allows you to find real and correct matches. What’s more, the app allows flexibility in planning holidays. The built-in map feature on the map allows potential travel buddies to meet up. This allows you to get the feel of the person you could be traveling with. Such features provide the utmost protection, all the while allowing you to find the perfect travel buddy.
Several other apps essentially provide the same services. Apps like Serentrip-Travel Buddy and Locals, Travello, and PackitUP are great alternatives to Travel Buddy. Serentrip even allows travelers to chat anonymously as well as connect to Facebook.
Are These Apps Worth It?
Apps like Travel Buddy can be extremely essential. Generally, people opt for a travel buddy if they can’t get a family member or friend to go with them. However, the trend to travel with a complete stranger has picked up over the last couple of years. Experiencing a new country with a stranger is an adventure in its own right. However, a major snag in such a plan is security. That is where apps like Travel Buddy come in.
With registered and verified travelers, you can chat with each other and even meet up. What’s more, the app makes sure that your vacation lines up and that your interests are the same. Apps like Travel Buddy are extremely good if you want to find a vetted Travel Buddy.…
With busy lives and hectic schedules, family travel has become more important than ever. Recent studies have proven that the families that plan and go on vacations together are a happier bunch. Moreover, traveling with the whole family can play a pivotal role in your child’s education, making them a well-rounded person.
Here are a few reasons why traveling with family is important.
1. Reflection Upon Your Family Values
Traveling with your family and the decisions you make are a reflection on your family values. Your travel choices can send out a powerful message to your family. Before traveling, ask yourself which aspects of the world you want to share with your family and go from there.
2. Priorities and Passions
Traveling with the whole family is a great way to identify passions and interests. Whether it is learning how to cook, scuba dive, ski or appreciate art, nature or history, traveling is a great way to broaden your horizons. Moreover, traveling with your family allows you to experience beauty together and gain a fresh perspective.
3. Identify Places
Traveling as a family also improves your children’s geography. Traveling to new places allows them to be good with a map or atlas. Keep important places in mind while mapping out your vacation so that you can relax and learn at the same time. Traveling can be a great opportunity to teach your children about the magnificence of Yellowstone or Yosemite.
4. Stow Away Electronics
Your family vacation can consist of camping, biking, fishing, or hiking. However, before you embark on any of these activities, stow away any electronics and become one with nature. This ultimately allows your children to garner outdoor skills.
5. Relax Together
With hectic schedules and busy careers, not to mention the school schedules, it can be hard for a family to kick back and relax together. Hence, extra effort is required to hold onto family bonds. A family vacation allows you to spend quality time with your loved ones and relax together. Relaxing together allows generations to gain valuable insights into family history.
6. Money
If you make money a priority, you may have to forego certain luxuries as well as experiences. However, the quality time that a family can spend collectively is worth it in the end, not to mention the lifelong cherished memories. Hence, creating a travel savings account is advisable. One should choose travel-related gifts on birthdays or holidays. Parents should encourage children to set up their travel funds. Saving up for a collective experience where the whole family can have fun is worth the money.
7. Time
There is no time like the present to plan a vacation. As time passes, your children may get busier with demanding school schedules. Parents should take advantage of school breaks as well as opt for off-season vacations.
Traveling with family, especially kids, is important. Not only does it bring each family member closer, but it also contributes to your child’s education, giving them an opportunity to experience a different world. Traveling creates beautiful memories that will stay with you for a long time, long after you come back. Traveling with family gives you something to look back to and remember fondly.…
Traveling overseas for the first time can be daunting. How will you cope with foreign surroundings? How much will you end up spending?
To help you cope with your first overseas trip, here are a few things you should remember before venturing out there. Special thanks to Megan at Love Is Blonde in Orange County for the support!
1. Health
You can’t skimp out in the health department. Double-check with your doctor that you have all the necessary vaccinations. Moreover, fill out all prescriptions before-hand. It is best to ask your medical insurance provider whether your policy applies abroad. If it doesn’t, you might want to get extra coverage and supplemental insurance.
2. Passport
It is imperative that you make copies of your passport. Even if your passport gets stolen, you can still prove your citizenship. You should also leave a copy of your passport at home or with someone you trust. As a precaution, make an electric copy of your passport as well.
3. Register With Your Embassy
Registering with your embassy is essential. This ensures contact with you should a problem arise in the country. Registering with your embassy makes it easier for them to get in touch with you and ensure your safety.
4. Conversion Rates
No one wants bad surprises in a foreign country. Hence, look up the conversion rates of the local currency before traveling to avoid a bad shock. Looking up the conversion rates gives you a sense of how much money you should take with you.
5. Credit Card
Another tip first-time travelers definitely need to remember is to check whether their credit cards will work abroad. Most European banks have shifted to chip-and-PIN technology. Many banks no longer accept the magnetic strip credit cards which is why it is something travelers need to look into.
6. Visit The Bank or ATM
Instead of using conversion centers near airports or in the city, you should go to a bank or an ATM. Conversion centers tend to be rip-offs, charging higher conversion rates. As opposed to conversion centers, banks or ATMs won’t charge that high a fee.
7. Call Your Bank
It is best to notify your bank or credit card provider that you will be traveling abroad. If you fail to do so, they may turn off your card if they think it has been stolen.
8. Check Entrance And Exit Fees
Some countries require travelers to pay a fee for entering or leaving the country. This amount may go up to $200 and is not included in the airline ticket. Hence, you should check if there is an entrance or exit fee.
9. Buy Tickets In Advance
Make a list of all the places you want to visit before-hand and buy tickets in advance. This allows you to skip more lines, and find deals that are best for you.
10. Guidebooks And Apps
Guidebooks are a great way to navigate the city easily. They contain maps, keywords, and phrases, allowing you to know better where you are going. Download any apps you may need before you leave. This allows you to avoid any hefty charges from your wireless carrier.
11. Electronics
To avoid being stranded with a dead phone, take your phone adapter. You should also check the voltage of your electronics because there is nothing worse than having an adapter and still not being able to use a hair straightener.
12. Pack An Extra Set Of Clothes
As a precaution, keep an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag in case the airline loses your luggage and you have nothing to wear.…
How likes to go camping with the family. To do out of city life and spend time in the wilderness. This is how many families spend quality time together. There are ideas to make camping fun without technology involved.
Play flashlight tag
to play this game you need an area to hide and where the players are all together. How does the game work? It is almost like hiding and sneaks but you play in the dark with a flashlight. And when everyone is out restarting the games this game you play for hours.
Make s’ mores
Making s’mores is the best thing about camping. This is where you find a stick and add a marshmallow on the stick and hold it against the fire until you see it starts to turn black, then you take it away from the fire wait for it till its cooled down then you can enjoy it. Don’t eat too much it is very sweet then you don’t go to sleep that night.
Catch a firefly
When catching a firefly, you need a jar and see who catches the most fireflies. See how three lights come on at night and go off in the morning. The day you leave you to release the fireflies into nature.
Look at the stars
to look at the stars is fun. You can make pictures with it and look for the southern cross. When camping is the best time to look at the stars because it is dark and outside the city. See if you can find a shooting star and make a wish on it.
Make showdown puppets
Use the light of the fire or use a flashlight to make different things with your hands and see who can make the funniest things with your hands.
tell stories around the fire
tell stories like something that had to happen to you or a story out of your head. The best stories to hear is what was in the olden day or a really scary story that will make the younger children scared.
To go camping is fun with family and friends then you talk to each other or spend with your family to do something when everyone is still in the house. To go camping with friends is also fun you can spend time with them when you all are still together.
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