| A family booked a rental cottage last summer, | | | | important, or not considered at all, to buy |
| arrived safely and just loved the cottage. | | | | insurance to cover a trip taken by road to a self |
| However, on the second day of their two week | | | | catering property in the same province or the |
| stay, the mom got a call to say her father was | | | | same country. |
| seriously ill and not expected to live. The family | | | | Think again! Most cottage bookings are made |
| packed up and returned home, and sadly, her dad | | | | several months in advance and many things could |
| died a few days later. After the funeral, the | | | | happen after you have booked to change your |
| renter called the cottage owner and asked what | | | | circumstances. Illnesses of any member of the |
| sort of refund she could expect as they had only | | | | traveling party, redundancy or a call to jury |
| used 2 days of their 14 day booking. The owner | | | | service are just a few of the situations that |
| refused to pay any refund with the explanation | | | | would be covered by a travel insurance policy. A |
| that she relied on the cottage rental income to | | | | few insurance companies also offer a 'change of |
| pay the costs of her cottage and it was always | | | | mind' clause, allowing you to cancel for any reason |
| fully booked through the season. She was not | | | | after a booking has been made and paid in full. |
| able to find a replacement rental party at the last | | | | This normally pays out an amount sufficient to |
| minute and as the rental agreement stated; if | | | | cover any cancellation fee the rental agency or |
| that was the case no money would be returned. | | | | owner may apply. |
| Of course the rental group did not have travel | | | | When you book your vacation rental property, |
| insurance, which would probably have covered trip | | | | check the property owners or agencies |
| curtailment due to the illness and/or death of a | | | | cancellation policies carefully. If it is not clear, ask |
| close relative. The rental cost the family over | | | | the question. In general, most private owners and |
| $4000 and they were not able to recover a | | | | rental agencies will attempt to rebook a property |
| penny of that money. | | | | if it is cancelled, and refund your money for the |
| Many people believe that trip insurance is only | | | | period they have rebooked, less a cancellation fee. |
| necessary if there is a flight involved; where | | | | The premium paid for trip insurance becomes less |
| delay, lost baggage, and the risk of the airline | | | | significant, the more you are paying, however it is |
| going bust, is covered; and medical cover is | | | | worthwhile at any price, for your peace of mind. |
| required in a foreign country. It's not considered | | | | |