The purpose of travel insurance is to provide protection for travelers against the unique risks associated with travel, before trip departure and during the actual trip. Many of these risks, such as trip interruption, are not generally covered by any other insurance available to travelers.
CSA plans are more accurately described as "travel protection" than "travel insurance." This is because CSA products consist of insurance and non-insurance components bundled in a single, comprehensive package. Emergency Assistance Services are an example of non-insurance services.
Although travelers probably don't want to think about it, the plain fact is that travel involves some unique risks. In fact, travelers would be surprised by some of the things that could happen. Ask yourself the following questions:
Unfortunately, for the majority of travelers, the answer is yes. If they have to cancel or postpone their vacation, they will probably lose some, if not all, of the money they have pre-paid. They may be able to reschedule the vacation, but will they have the money to pay for it?
You bet! It will probably cost you extra to return home. You will be paying a premium for last-minute airline tickets or exchange fees for existing tickets, plus you won't get any money back for the unused portion of your trip. Many times, the cost of interrupting the trip can exceed the actual trip cost.
Definitely. Your medical coverage may be limited away from home, or you may not be covered at all. Therefore, it's wise for you to check on their medical coverage before you travel. Also, how will you find adequate medical facilities when you're traveling?
ABOUT CSA
CSA provides the most comprehensive travel insurance policy
available on the market. CSA is known to have the highest quality of customer
service available in the industry. Every type of coverage a traveler may need is
included on the plan, from Trip Cancellation to Trip Interruption to Supplier
Financial Default.
1.
Coverage From Home to Home
Supplier policies typically provide coverage while onboard ship, or on a tour.
However, unfortunate events can happen before or while en route to a trip. CSA
covers from the time a traveler leaves home until the return home.
2.
Trip Interruption at 150% of the Trip Cost
Other policies only provide coverage for trip interruption with coverage up to
the original trip cost. That's why CSA provides 150% Trip Interruption benefit
with CSA VACATION GUARANTEE. CSA knows that a trip interruption is often more
expensive than the cost the trip.
3.
The Complete Package
CSA provides comprehensive coverages at an affordable price.
CSA's prices are based on per-person rates and provide coverage
for all ages, including 81 and above.
4.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
This provides you with assistance should a medical emergency occur. CSA will get
a traveler to adequate medical facilities no matter where in the world.
5.
Superior Customer Service
CSA gives personal service to each of its clients. CSA prides itself on having
all calls answered by a live service professional. Their staff is dedicated to
delivering a quality customer service experience every time. CSA makes every
effort to service their customers by sharing relevant information quickly,
efficiently and professionally.
6.
Rental Car Damage Coverage
(Not available to all states. Call for availability.)
This benefit provides primary coverage, if the car rented on the trip is damaged
due to collision, fire, flood, theft, vandalism, or windstorm or hail. Because
CSA provides primary coverage, in most instances, the traveler never have to
inform his/her own car insurance agency should a problem occur. Also, because
CSA pays first on these claims, it eliminates the need to purchase additional
collision waivers from the rental car companies.
7.
Supplier Financial Default
CSA's Supplier Financial Default protection covers for any travel supplier
bankruptcy, provided that the financial default occurs seven days after the
purchase of the policy.
Why is travel protection so important? Unforeseen circumstances can force a traveler to cancel or postpone the trip, losing any prepayments that have been made. Below are true stories from actual CSA customers. Take a minute and read about what could have happened to their vacation investment.
A client's 3-year-old daughter developed an ear infection two days before the vacation was to begin. The client had to cancel the trip, but they were in a 100% penalty period with the cruise line, and stood to lose their money. Their entire claim was paid.
Mr. and Mrs. J. live in the Midwest, and their home sustained massive damage due to the 1994 floods. They cancelled their trip in order to take care of the damage to their house. Their entire claim was covered. (Similarly, CSA has also had clients who had to cancel due to damage from earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes.
Tom planned a ski trip to Aspen for several months in advance. Three weeks before his Aspen trip, he broke his leg at a local ski area. If not for CSA, he would have lost his entire trip investment.
A family was due to travel to Israel and Egypt. Ten days before their departure, there was a terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv, which was on their itinerary. The family, understandably concerned about their safety, canceled the Tel Aviv segment of their trip. Their entire claim was covered.
On the second day of their 14-day trip in Europe, Mr. and Mrs. C. and their children received an emergency message that Mr. C.'s mother was critically ill. The family contacted the 24-Hour Emergency Hotline for assistance in making return travel arrangements. CSA's Designated Service Provider assisted them in purchasing air tickets to return home. (Their original tickets were highly restrictive and the dates could not be changed.) Because they missed most of their trip, CSA's exclusive 150% Trip Interruption benefit paid the extra airfare, plus the value of the unused trip.
A couple from Seattle was on an Alaskan cruise when one of them developed a serious medical condition that required emergency transportation to the nearest land-based hospital. The Designated Service Provider determined that the nearest hospital was inadequate for the patient and flew the patient to a hospital in Seattle. CSA paid for the cost of the evacuation. CSA also paid all related expenses incurred for getting the client to the nearest adequate medical facility and then transporting him to a hospital near his home, along with the unused segment of the client's trip.
Thank you for your courteous treatment and prompt settlement of our claim. It was unfortunate that we had to cancel our trip; the "silver lining" was our contact with you. It meant more than the refund itself. As frequent travelers, we will likely ask you to protect us again in the future.
B.K., Orinda, CA
The only good thing that came out of this canceled tour in October was my association with you. Although my brother in New York called his high-powered attorney to settle the refund from the Russia trip, I feel your persistent efforts on my part ranked equally in the full refund of the trip. Without your persistent efforts, I think I would be in the same place as the other 17 dropouts-- living on promises from the tour operator. For this I humbly thank you. I have appreciated and enjoyed our association.
S.M., Tiburon, CA
With reference to our telephone conversation of this afternoon, please find enclosed two sets of Delta Airline tickets. These tickets were not used, trip canceled due to my husband's illness. Thank you for the extreme courtesy extended and excellent attention. It was indeed my pleasure speaking with you and the ease in which you placed me, reassuring that the full balance would be forthcoming.
S.K., Whitestone, NY
Thank you for the check I received a few days ago. I want CSA to know that I have been very, very pleased with the service from my cruise insurance. I am not only recommending this full coverage insurance, I am PREACHING it!! From the time of my accident aboard the cruise ship right up to the present, I could not have asked for more pleasant people or better service. No delays, no unnecessary questioning. Thank you again. I will be using this coverage next time we cruise -- just as soon as I recover!
L.C., Whitewright, TX
On November 10, my husband had to be emergency airlifted. Upon arrival I was in constant contact with CSA. They were absolutely fabulous, right on top of the situation. I was also very impressed by the way your office in San Diego handled the situation. My questions were promptly answered, and your follow-up was great. Everybody gave the impression that you really cared!
Mrs. M.L., La Jolla, CA
I am writing to thank you for services rendered to me while on vacation. While in Rio de Janeiro my wallet was stolen. Your representatives not only accepted my collect call, but contacted my credit card companies to cancel my cards. It was an emergency situation ... and your employees really came through. Because of their efforts my distress was minimal and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my vacation.
R.R.B., Philadelphia, PA
I want to compliment your service ... When I called from Belfast, Ireland, the gentleman who received my call was most helpful in finding me a dentist within an hour, as promised. Later that night the same man called back to inquire whether I had been taken care of ... Your people were extremely nice.
E.P., Rockville Center, NY
Upon our return from a recent trip, we were in receipt of your firm's check in payment of our claim ... Thank you for your prompt and courteous treatment in handling this matter ... My husband and I are very pleased with the way you handled our claim and have great regard for your firm.
T.C., Green Valley, AZ
Your prompt payment of financial reimbursement is obviously much appreciated but beyond that, CSA personnel were very helpful, by telephone, immediately after my wife's accident in France and then for the ensuing 2-1/2 weeks of her hospitalization in Toulouse and with regard to the difficult trip home. You can be sure that "We won't leave home without it" in the future and all of our friends are convinced as well.
P.H.H., Palos Verdes Estates, CA
You were prompt, clear and helpful and your work is certainly excellent and much appreciated. I will be going on a cruise in October and have insurance with your company -- which I devoutly hope I do not need to use. Thanks again, and my best wishes to you.
W.B.L, Waverly, OH
Your no-nonsense, no-hassle approach is greatly appreciated. I shall recommend your company, and continue to use your service when I travel.
E.S., Santa Rosa, CA
I would like to commend your personnel for their caring and method of advising me on this matter. It was very impressive when your claim adjuster called me about one week after our initial report just to see how we were doing and asked if there were anything further they could do. This is what one could call service and your company should be considered as [sic] #1 travel insurance company in the U.S.
S.M., La Jolla, CA
I always urge ALL my participants going on my painting trips to use your insurance as I feel you are a superior company. You were highly recommended by my travel agent, and in the four instances where my participants have had to cancel over the years due to health problems you have been most helpful.
A.F., Rockport, MA