Airlines are scrambling for profitability with multiple airfare increases amid soaring jet fuel prices inflated by Mideast turmoil. Travelers who skip insurance when airline tickets are their primary purchase may want to reconsider. An Airline Ticket Protector plan from Travel Insured protects tickets and baggage against cancellation, delay or loss, and offers optional medical coverage.

East Hartford, CT (Vocus/PRWEB) March 01, 2011

The pain at the automobile gasoline pump is being shared on the search sites and global distribution systems (GDS) for airfares as oil uncertainty amid Mideast turmoil takes its toll on fuel costs. Informed reports from the airfare monitor FareCompare.com to the New York Times have documented four airfare increases in the first two months of 2011, more than the three fare increases in all of 2010, and analysts are warning travelers to steel themselves for more fare increases to come. Among other factors, the Mideast political turmoil has pushed West Texas crude prices in late February to around $100 per barrel with European Brent crude prices surging even higher.

Tavel expert Ed Perkins of SmarterTravel.com says some airlines are adding prepaid fuel surcharges to fares, including some whose base is paid for with frequent flier miles. Travel Insured International®, a leading privately-owned travel insurance provider, urges fliers who may have overlooked airline ticket insurance during the deflated fare pricing of the 2009 - 2010 recession to reconsider going forward.

Why an Airline Ticket Protector?

Travel Insured's Airline Ticket Protector appeals to leisure travelers flying to visit friends and relatives, business travelers for whom land components may be hosted but airline tickets are an out-of-pocket expense, or independent vacationers for whom airline tickets are prepaid but land arrangements are flexible and paid during travel. The plan is also valuable to frequent fliers in paying any fees charged by the airline to re-bank miles into their frequent flier mileage account after a covered trip cancellation.

The plan provides coverage on Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption for prepaid, non-refundable ticket costs valued up to $3,500. This includes the fees an airline may charge to reissue a ticket after a cancellation. Travelers who purchase the plan within 14 days of their initial trip deposit may qualify for a waiver of any pre-existing medical condition that could potentially interrupt their trip. Trip Delay coverage of up to $500 with no daily limit, and Baggage Delay coverage of up to $200 are both included. Also included is a $500 Missed Connection benefit, and up to $1,000 in Lost Baggage & Personal Effects coverage. Every Travel Insured Airline Ticket Protector comes with Worldwide Emergency Assistance available 24/7 with a free call from anywhere the insured traveler is in need of help.

Travelers in need of more comprehensive coverage can take advantage of these value-added options in the Airline Ticket Protector plan:

• Cancel for Any Reason Option: Travelers within 14 days of their initial trip deposit can purchase this option, available for a 50% premium supplement and paying potential benefits of up to 75% of total trip cost in a cash refund.
• Flight Accident Option: Available for up to $1 million coverage and priced from $8 to $50 per person depending on the benefit level selected.
• Combined Emergency Medical Option: $50,000 in Emergency Medical Expense with $250,000 in Emergency MedEvac coverage. Priced at $25 per person.
• Renters Collision Insurance Option: $7 per day price is charged only to the primary traveler named on the Airline Ticket Protector plan for up to $50,000 in coverage

Travelers select and pay for the options on the Airline Ticket Protector application, with the selected upgrades, except for car rental collision coverage, applied to all travelers being insured on the same application.

Airfares, like fuel prices, are only expected to rise during the upcoming vacation travel season. Smart travelers, whether on business or pleasure flights, will plan ahead with an Airline Ticket Protector to cover their elevated prepaid flight costs.

About Travel Insured International®

Travel Insured International®, based in E. Hartford, CT, was founded in 1994 by the foresight of insurance industry executive Peter Gehris when he acquired the travel protection division of the Travelers Insurance Company. Coverage is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company (a Missouri corporation, NAIC #11150) with executive offices located in Jersey City, NJ. Arch Insurance is rated A (“Excellent”) for financial strength by the insurance rating service A.M. Best. Not all insurance products or coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Coverage is subject to actual policy language.

Travel Insured International®
52-S Oakland Ave.
E. Hartford, CT 06128-0568
Contact: John Stone
Media Relations Manager
http://www.travelinsured.com