Several providers of travel insurance now include domestic partners in their definition of family, enabling policyholders to collect benefits if they have to cancel or interrupt a trip because of events such as a partner’s injury, illness or death.
Access America, a travel insurance provider in Richmond, Va., is among the companies that have made this change.
A spokesperson said the company’s definition of domestic partner is “a person you’ve lived with continuously for 12 months prior to the effective date of coverage,” which includes same-sex or opposite-sex companions. Call 866-807-3982 or see www.accessamerica.com.
CSA Travel Protection, based in San Diego, has included domestic partners in its definition of family for several years, according to Claudia Fullerton, the company’s chief operating officer. “We include it under the definition of spouse–a person to whom you are married or with whom you live in a spousal relationship,” Fullerton said. Details at 800-873-9855 or www.csatravelprotection.com.
And TravelSafe Insurance of Wyomissing, Pa., has a similar policy and defines domestic partners based on evidence of financial interdependence, cohabitation for at least the previous six months and an affidavit of domestic partnership if one is available where the couple lives. Contact 800-523-8020 or see www.travelsafe.com.
England-only rail passes
BritRail passes are typically sold to allow unlimited rail travel in England, Scotland and Wales at one predetermined price. Now, Brit-Rail has come up with a less expensive version, costing about 20 percent less than the corresponding all-Britain pass, for those who plan to travel only in England.
For example, a BritRail England Consecutive Pass good for four straight days of unlimited travel is $149 in Standard Class, $225 in First Class. The FlexiPass version, which allows four days’ travel anytime within two months, is $189 in Standard, $279 First. Longer versions of each pass are also available. These passes must be ordered before departure.
For information, call 866-274-8724 or visit www.britrail.net.
Sam’s Club sells vacations
Sam’s Club, the Wal-Mart chain best known for selling bulk items in warehouse-like stores, has expanded the travel services it offers members.
The club’s 45 million members can now book their vacation packages online, at the Web site vacations.samsclub.com, or speak with an agent at 800-955-7267. The new services are offered through a partnership with NLG, a travel company in Woburn, Mass.
Duane Futch, director of global travel for Wal-Mart Stores, said Sam’s Club hopes to distinguish its travel packages from those of other online sellers by not imposing service charges.
The membership fee for Sam’s Club is $35 a year.
