The scenes of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia running aground
and capsizing off the Tuscan coast were hard to believe. Thankfully
there were not more fatalities and with a passenger load of 4,600 that
is a no small miracle. Many of the survivors were left without personal
belongings, identification, money, etc. Getting back home much less
recouping the cost of their vacation and travel will be difficult for
most unless they have a good travel insurance policy.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Travel Insurance:

What is trip cancellation insurance? Trip cancellation insurance is
financial reimbursement of a prepaid, non-refundable travel costs when
an unforeseen event, which is a covered reason under the policy, causes a
trip cancellation.

What is trip interruption insurance? Trip interruption insurance is
financial reimbursement for unused prepaid travel expenses and/or the
additional airfare to return home, when an unforeseen event, from which
the traveler is protected under the policy, causes trip to be cut short
and a return home ahead of schedule. When is protection from an act of
terrorism an included coverage? When a politically-motivated terrorist
attack occurs in a city listed on a travel itinerary. The event must
occur after the policy takes effect and within 30 days of departure.

Who is considered a family member under the policy? Any of the
following relatives of the insured or traveling companion is considered a
family member under the policy: a legal or common law spouse; a
domestic partner; a parent or legal guardian; step-parent, grandparent,
parents-in-law, grandchild, natural or adopted child, foster child or
ward, step-child, children-in-law, brother, sister, step-brother,
step-sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, or
nephew.

Your Trip Cancellation coverage takes over when your taxi driver
heading to your departure airport displays his steering proficiency by
broad siding a police cruiser. A lengthy detour to police HQ forces you
to cancel the trip.

Check out some common travel scenarios that people can insure against. Here is one to pique your curiosity!

Postage rates increase effective 1/22/2012: 1st class stamp 45 cents and 20 cents for each additional ounce.