Connect with us

Family

Common Travel Insurance Mistakes to Avoid at Any Cost

Published

on

Perhaps you have your trip tickets ready and your travel passport and holiday money in place too. Your preparations for a jolly adventure may fall through if, in the end, you make one or more travel insurance mistakes. Your camper van may be packed, and you feel ready for the trip. But your travel plan isn’t complete if you skimp on your travel insurance policies. So here’s a list of common mistakes many people make concerning their travel insurance. We will also provide ways by which you can avoid these mistakes.

1: Traveling without a travel insurance 

Have you ever wondered what would happen in the case you lose some of your valuables or even your bags when you travel? Trust us, it is a devastating affair! But once you’re on a travel insurance policy, then you can easily use your travel fund to replace your stolen or lost items.

A worse situation is where you require hospital care due to an accident. Some countries may refuse your standard care if you do not have evidence that you can sort the fees first. To prevent awkward moments like that, ensure you purchase a decent insurance policy for yourself and your belongings before your journey.

2: Paying excess on a single trip policy

Maybe you are a regular traveler, or you have many trips scheduled over the year, then subscribing to annual plans is the best thing. Yearly insurance policies will turn out to be cheaper than single trip policies when you do the calculations. This will also help to save you the stress of searching for an excellent insurance policy every time you have to make a trip.

3: Not planning for your insurance cost

Most people prepare for every dime spent on a trip. From each liter of fuel to buy and use, to other little contingencies. Yet, many travelers usually make the mistake of forgetting to plan for their insurance policy. Insurance costs are quite high, so don’t make it an afterthought. If you can’t afford a travel insurance policy, then take it like you also cannot afford a trip.

4: Not buying your travel insurance early enough 

When planning your trip, you can be overwhelmed in excitement and might not consider an insurance plan until the travel date is close. If you do this, then you’re making a colossal travel insurance mistake. Of course, you will also miss out on many benefits. So you should make sure to purchase a travel insurance policy simultaneously as you’re booking the trip. This will give you the advantage of cancellation cost cover, which standard insurance policy offers.

5: Not stipulating every destination in your insurance policy 

Some travel insurance policies specify a country, a region, or in some cases, a continent, like Europe. So include the countries you’ll be traveling to in your insurance policy. Perhaps you are going on a tour or world trip, then check the terms of your policy immediately you get the quote.

6: Making mistakes while filling the forms

 Getting details wrong while filling the insurance policy documents is another mistake some people make when it comes to their travel insurance policy. Always provide the correct information when you are purchasing your insurance policy and getting a quote. A simple error on your birthdate, name, or the travel dates may render your cover invalid. You wouldn’t want this at all.

7: Going off the limits of your policy

Most insurance policies cover some leisure and sports activities. These activities include kayaking, typical cycling, or diving. However, in these policies, the limits are usually specified. Some of the plans also include winter sports, while others require that you pay additional premiums. 

One of the mistakes you can make concerning your travel insurance is to think that your policy covers hiking at whatever altitude you like. Many standard insurance policies indicate the maximum hiking altitude to 2000 meters above sea level.

Everyone wants to have peace of mind while traveling. That is the whole point of getting a standard travel insurance policy. But you can still upgrade to much more specialized plans. Whatever you do, make sure you keep copies of your insurance policy in a safe place. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises when you need to make a claim.

According to TradeRisk, properly covering for your trip may not be something you can do by yourself without professional help. But once you can follow these tips and refrain from making the typical travel insurance mistakes in the list, then you can be sure of a smooth trip with no insurance worries.

Events

Indigenous Climate Warriors in Times Square

Published

on

(Photo by Honor the Earth)

On Tuesday September 19, 2023, the Indigenous peoples took to the frontlines of the climate crisis on Turtle Island and took over Times Square painting a giant mural with the message, “No Green Colonialism; Land Back NOW!”

This mural came the day before the UN Climate Ambition Summit, where world leaders are expected to come together and make decisions around the climate crisis.

The Indigenous communities are organizing to push back on the Biden Administration’s push toward solutions to the climate crisis that threaten the lives of Indigenous people across Turtle Island, which they call “Green Colonialism.” “For too long, Native lands and communities have borne the brunt of harm from mining and other extractive industries. As the federal government moves to support clean energy development, this cannot come at the expense of clean water or Indigenous rights. This familiar assault on Native lands and communities is another wave of colonialism, and we will not stand by and allow our lands to be sacrificed,” Krystal Two Bulls,  executive director of the national Indigenous organization Honor the Earth said in a press release.

The mining projects violate treaty rights and threaten clean water and land in places such as Thacker Pass, Oak Flat , and the Talon-Tamarak mine near the Mississippi headwaters.

We should all be fighting this fight!

 

Continue Reading

Food and Drink

White Wine for Summer Send Off

Published

on

By

It is hard to believe that summer is officially wrapping up. But as days get shorter there is still plenty of time to toast the season in style with these favorite white wines.

Kenwood Vineyards Six Ridges Chardonnay 2019

This refreshing chardonnay crisp apple and crunchy peach flavors is electrifying and oh, so yummy! It brings out the feeling of velvet caressing you. This is simmply all of the best the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County has to offer.

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc

 

Divinely balanced wine with zesty aromas and highlights of pink grapefruit, melon and gooseberry. It refreshing and perfectly sweet. Every sip will have you singing praises to the wonderful summer you just had.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Beatles Brunch at City Winery Where Strawberry Fields Lives Forever

Published

on

I was taken to City Winery by Eli Marcus for the Beatles Brunch with Strawberry Fields.
This show plays every Sunday with an unlimited brunch buffet that includes coffee, tea and juice, starting at noon. A bottomless brunch cocktail package is also available and children get in free. Here tourists mingle with New Yorkers, eating scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, dried out French toast, spicy potatoes with onions and peppers, perfectly done chicken, salad and fresh fruit. What is so nice, is that everyone seems happy to to be here, to see and hear the Fab Four.

Eli Marcus, Suzanna Bowling

The show starts off without fan fare. The lights dim and four men enter, not quite looking like the originals. Tony Garofalo (John Lennon), Billy J. Ray (Paul McCartney), Ira Siegel (George Harrison), and Michael Bellusci (Ringo Starr) and their costumes and wigs have seen better days. Then the music starts. You can watch one of our video’s here.

From the early hits like “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” “Ticket To Ride” “Eight Days A Week” and more the first act is nostalgia at it’s best. It was adorable to watch the audience, especially the young ones “Twist and Shout.”

After a break in came the Sergeant Pepper era, clothing and all. From that we got “Nowhere Man,” “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “When I’m 64,” “Penny Lane” and songs that dig into your soul. They are done well and the Beatles live again. You can see our video here.

Then the later songs like “I Am The Walrus” and “Don’t Let Me Down” end a show that is almost two hour long of music, that is classic. I have to admit I wanted to hear “Blackbird” and “Norwegian Wood,” but what you get is a  well rounded assortment of those songs that shaped several era’s.

Billy J. Ray, Ira Siegel

Ira Siegel stands out with his guitar playing that is out of this world. I really loved all the songs he sang as well.

Michael Bellusci

Michael Bellusci, gives Ringo a run for his money on the drums.

Tony Garofalo

Tony Garofalo is the founder, creator and producer playing rhythm and lead guitar and singing lead vocals along with Alan LeBoeuf from the original Beatlemania playing bass guitar. Ray looks the most like the Beatle he is playing.

Alan LeBoeuf, Ira Siegel

Alan LeBoeuf, Ira Siegel

Alan LeBoeuf

Strawberry Fields has been covering The Beatles for over three decades. They used to have a residency at B.B. Kings, but these days their home base is City Winery and it is definitely a great way to spend a Sunday. All four are consummate musicians and obviously have a love for what they do and that rubs off on their audience.

For a souvenir up a City Winery Strawberry Fields Rose Wine and have it signed by the cast. With its is its strawberry pink color, you get a combination of kiwi, watermelon and the taste of strawberry that lingers.

City Winery is right next to Little Island, Chelsea Market, The Highline, the Meatpacking district, Chelsea, and West Village. Everything is nearby to make a perfect outing for the whole day and this is one brunch where you definitely get your money’s worth. Click HERE for tickets

Tickets are $65.45

Continue Reading

Events

A Fun Night at Dave and Buster’s 42nd Street

Published

on

Thank-you again to Eli Marcus and the staff of Dave and Buster’s, at 234 West 42nd Street.

Eli Marcus

Eli was sending the concierge’s to the show The Shark Is Broken.

The producers of The Shark Must Be Broken, Eli Marcus and the general manager of Dave and Buster’s

There were lots of new friends to be made such as Carol Mennie, Caroline Rosado from the Hilton, Dinnella Collado from the Washington Square Hotel, Benjamin Maddy from Dave and Buster’s and Michaela Paratore of Benjamin Steakhouse Prime

Michaela Paratore

This destination for sports enthusiasts, foodies, and arcade offers space, fun and some fabulous happy hour deals.

All across the multiple screens were football, basketball, and hockey games from across the sporting world. At the sports bar an impressive selection of drinks, including craft beers, signature cocktails await. I sampled some their tasty bites and was impressed.

wings

Pretzel Dogs

To sooth your inner child air hockey and arcade games are waiting to be played.

Margarita and I playing for Make A Wish

If you are looking for entertainment they have a legendary Trivia Night with fantastic prizes.

Double Pepperoni Flatbread

wings

BBQ Chicken Flatbread

This is actually a great place to throw your holiday parties.

Fire-Grilled Atlantic Salmon

Boneless Wings

Chocolate- and caramel-filled churros with chocolate and salted caramel dipping sauces.

I am so glad the Mayor of Times Square invited me to his event.

Margarita Parlionas and Eli Marcus

Continue Reading

Book Reviews

We’re Here to Help – When Guardianship Goes Wrong

Published

on

This happened to Britney Spares, as well as Frances Rappaport, Libra Max  and countless other loved ones who became victimized by a system that was supposed to protect them.
Diane Dimond uses compelling stories of real people, like Frances Rappaport, Libra Max and countless others to pull back the curtain on a guardianship system shrouded in secrecy, where power, greed and influence all too often intersect with devastating consequences.
 A powerful book.

-Kent Walz, attorney & journalist

Diane Dimond’s book on the scourge of abusive adult guardianships is coming out very soon. It only took her 8 long years of investigation and countless interviews with affected people to get to the bottom of this extremely flawed part of the justice system.

People who have lived through this nightmare knows first hand what this “protective” part of the court system can do to rip apart families. But because it’s such a secretive system few Americans realize that they – or someone they love – could be guardianized without warning. It’s not just Britney Spears – up to 2 million people currently live under guardianship/court control.

All it takes is for someone (a vindictive relative, a greedy business partner, a former lover, even a landlord) to file a guardianship petition with the court saying someone is not competent to care for themselves. The judge usually agrees – often without ever seeing the targeted person – and the guardianship is established. Judges routinely appoint a total stranger as guardian to make all life decisions for the new “ward of the court.” All their civil rights are stripped away and, suddenly, the person has no say in their own life –they can’t even hire their own lawyer to fight it. There are many more horrific aspects to this “justice” system and Ms. Dimond spells it all out in the book.

We’re Here to Help – When Guardianship Goes Wrong not only reveals the predatory nature of the system (which controls a collective $50 billion in ward’s money every year!) but also tells what to look out for. It provides a guide for readers to protect themselves and those they love.

Diane Dimond is the author of four books including the upcoming, “We’re Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong, published by Brandeis University Press, released Sept. 19, 2023

 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 Times Square Chronicles