As the summer holiday season upon is us, many holidaymakers are already counting the days until they pack their bags and head for the sun.Unfortunately holidays do not always go according to plan; in 2007 the top three claims received by Tesco Travel Insurance, were for baggage loss, which accounted for 40 per cent of the claims; medical treatment with 30 per cent and 20 per cent for cancellations.Tesco’s Travel Insurance form has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions from their policy holders, these include.If my flight, ferry or train is delayed, what should I do? At the time the delay occurs, make sure you obtain written confirmation from the airline, train or ferry company, giving exact details of the reason for and length of the delay, and pass on these details to your insurer. Check with the carrier as sometimes travellers are given vouchers entitling them to free refreshments.While I’m away from home, what should I do in the event of loss or theft of my possessions? Most importantly you should report any loss or theft to the police within 24 hours. If you are unable to contact the police, you should call either your tour representative or accommodation provider or carrier – for example, the airline or ferry company you travelled with.What if I need medical attention while abroad? If the medical condition appears to be serious, you should call our Emergency Helpline 0044 870 024 2796 (001 866 496 5249 for USA) as soon as you can for advice and assistance. Tesco Travel Insurance has treated customers for blood poisoning in Turkey, heart attacks in Mexico and road traffic accidents in the USA. For minor medical treatment, you should pay any bills yourself and keep the receipts as this will help us to deal with your claim.Does Tesco Travel Insurance cover existing medical conditions? Tesco Travel Insurance does not cover claims relating to existing medical conditions. This includes common conditions such as asthma and diabetes. If any of the following apply to you don’t worry, you can still call us for a great value tailored quote on 0845 300 8800.What is a travel insurance policy excess? This is the part of the claim that you agree to pay – we cover you for the remaining amount up to the limit of your cover. Our claims consultants will tell you the amount of the excess and details can also be found in your policy schedule. We will deduct the amount of the policy excess from the settlement of your claim, or alternatively our appointed specialist or supplier will collect this amount from you on our behalf.The insurance provider though states, the medical conditions that are not covered by their insurance policy, these include- If the policy holder(s) are awaiting surgery or any form of medical investigation/treatment, either as a hospital inpatient or outpatient.- The policy holder(s) have received medical treatment in the last 3 months for an illness or injury or have received medical treatment in the past month as a hospital in-patient.- The policy holder(s) are taking medication or have had medication prescribed for an existing condition.- The policy holder (s) are suffering from or have suffered from cancer or a heart-related condition.Jim Bruce, head of Tesco Travel Insurance said: “At this time of year, when people are looking forward to their hard earned break, it’s more important than ever to reduce the chances of an unforeseen event spoiling your holiday. Ensuring you have adequate travel insurance is the first step, and knowing what to do in the event of a mishap is essential too. We hope that, armed with the answers to these frequently asked questions, travellers will be able to relax and enjoy their holidays,”

Of course you can travel just about anywhere with your kids on a budget. Like any travel experience on a budget you need to research and plan well to make the most of your travel dollar. Many places, however, are family or kid friendly and will throw in added extras for the children. So whether you intend traveling at home or abroad, look for places that will cater to your family’s needs.

 

RV trips are a great way to travel on a budget. In fact, traveling with a car is almost essential for families. It is usually cheaper than buying rail passes or catching taxis everywhere. But more importantly, it gives you that ‘door to door’ freedom that is necessary when traveling with kids.

 

If you are traveling overseas, have you considered staying in a hostel with your family? This is a much cheaper option than staying in hotels and many hostels are family friendly and have no age limit (except in Bavaria where you can’t be older than twenty six). You can request a room with enough bunk beds to accommodate your family and you can cook your meals in the communal kitchen. Huge savings to be made!

 

In the USA there are many places to travel with your family on a budget. Consider these options:

1. Camping. The cheapest option around for any travel adventure. Many campsites have activities for kids and if you don’t like the idea of staying in a tent, many places have cabins to rent that are still cheaper than a hotel room. Camping gets you up close and personal with nature and gets the kids outside and running around.

2. What about spending some time at a Working Farm or Dude Ranch? Look around for reasonably priced holidays at these destinations and you will find plenty of activities and atmosphere for kids and adults alike.

3. Head to Disneyland in off peak season for big savings.

4. The same can be said for traveling to Hawaii. Check the packages available in low season and see how affordable it is.

5. You’ll also find some excellent deals in traveling to Mexico. Go for all-inclusive resorts, especially in the low season.

 

What about if you want to travel overseas? Where are some good places to take the kids on a budget?

* Although Australia is a long way away and can be a bit pricey to get there, it is a very child-friendly place with lots of cost saving adventures to be had for the kids. Australian off peak is different from North America so do some research. 

* Europe can be done on a budget with kids. Pick your destinations with the kids in mind. Get them involved in your itinerary. Stay in hostels and travel by car. You’ll be amazed at how much you save and how much you see.

* Some island resorts are very child friendly. In Fiji there are resorts where children under twelve stay and eat for free. Do your research!

* How about a family cruise? Cruises are great because they are all-inclusive, cater for families and you get to explore lots of places. There are some good family package deals to be found with most cruise companies.

 

So get planning and get packed. Plan your family vacation and check out the deals available. Going off peak is the best way to save money. If you are going to take the kids out of school buy them a journal so they can record their experiences. It’s amazing how much they’ll learn by traveling with their family.

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com