Pennsylvania Insurance Department Offers Important Tips to Vacation Travelers

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Insurance Department today reminded consumers who are planning vacations to consider if purchasing travel insurance will help to protect their investment and peace of mind.

"Buying travel insurance can protect you from the loss of non-refundable travel costs, including airfare, hotel and tour expenses," said Cindy Fillman, director of Insurance's Office of Consumer Liaison. "With a host of companies offering various types of protections, consumers can avoid costly trip cancellations due to everything from severe weather and illness or personal emergency, to bankruptcy of the travel agency or cruise line."

The newest edition of Consumer News You Can Use newsletter highlights travel and car rental insurance and discusses various coverage options for consumers.

"Some insurance companies offer bundled packages of trip insurance that cover anything from identity theft to delayed or lost baggage," Fillman said. "Many consumers are unpleasantly surprised by the cost of replacing the contents of just a single piece of luggage.

"Just like any other type of policy, travel insurance should be reviewed thoroughly -- not all policies are the same," she said. "Also, be sure you are purchasing travel insurance and not cancellation waivers, which may be helpful but are not insurance policies. Since waivers are not regulated by the department, we cannot offer consumers protection from problems that may arise."

Renting a vehicle is another aspect of vacation planning that requires forethought. Many consumers are unsure whether their existing auto insurance policy will cover them while operating a rental vehicle.

"By doing your homework ahead of time, you will not feel pressured into making a snap decision at the rental counter that ends up costing as much for insurance as it does to rent the car," Fillman said.

Vacationers can also check with their credit card companies, as some firms offer free rental car collision insurance and some provide automatic travel insurance coverage if a traveler uses their card to pay for the trip.

To download a copy of Consumer News You Can Use or find more information, visit the department's Web site at www.insurance.state.pa.us

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Insurance