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Elvis
Has a guest ever asked if you can introduce them to Elvis? Used under a Creative Commons license. Photo by Mark Surman on Flickr.com

Strange Travel Requests: “I’d Like to Meet Elvis”

Learn more about partnering with CSA

As a vacation rental manager you have probably encountered some strange requests from guests. You’re not alone— the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has a list of the “Top 20 Strangest Requests” submitted by their members.

Business is all about keeping customers happy, especially in the travel industry. We want to help you help your guests, and we offer travel insurance and emergency assistance services that can do that very thing. In fact, all of our plans include Concierge Services which could help deal with some strange requests and questions that your guests may have.

Here’s a selection from the ASTA list and how a Guest Protect travel insurance plan* from CSA Travel Protection might be useful in such strange situations:

  • Will you watch my pet while I’m away? While our plans don’t cover pet sitting, the 24 Hour Emergency Assistance Services included with our plans can arrange for the return of pets to the insured’s home if the pet is traveling with them and they are unable to take care of the pet due to a medical emergency. Also, our Vacation Rental Damage Protection plan may cover damage by pets if your rental is pet-friendly.
  • Are there toll roads on the way to Hawaii? A car stuck between California and Hawaii is in more trouble than CSA’s Roadside Assistance service can help with. However, as long as they’re in an area regularly traveled by car, if your guests find themselves stuck with a flat tire, dead battery, keys locked in the car or they just need a tow, and they have purchased a Guest Protect plan from CSA Travel Protection, they just need to call our hotline and our friendly service provider will be there to help.
  • Can you please plan a honeymoon for me, my bride and my mother? That may make for an awkward vacation, but our Guest Protect plan provides coverage for the entirety of the vacation rental reservation, so guests do not need to worry about purchasing separate plans.
  • I’d like to meet Elvis. Unless you’re in Las Vegas or Graceland, if a guest says they saw Elvis, they might want to speak with a medical professional. The Guest Protect plan includes access to Teladoc**, a service that allows travelers to call and connect instantly with a network of physicians for information, advice, and treatment, including prescription medication, when appropriate.

**Teladoc services may not be available in all states, and international services may be limited.

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 0821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as CSA Travel Protection and Insurance Services.  Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions.  Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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Used under a Creative Commons license. Photo by acapacio on Flickr.com

Spike in Shark Attacks Isn’t Scaring Away Tourists

A spike in shark attacks off the coast of the Carolinas has made a splash across the media this summer, but CNBC reports that it’s not affecting the number of vacation rental stays in the area.

A whopping 12 shark attacks have taken place off the Carolina coast this year, compared to the average four to six attacks each year. The attacks don’t seem to be keeping tourists at home, but a travel insurance plan with Medical and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverages might help put your guests at ease.

The odds are very slim that any of your guests would encounter a shark. But, even without predators lurking below the waves, the beach can be a dangerous place, especially if your guests aren’t familiar with the ocean. A travel insurance plan from CSA Travel Protection can provide coverage for your guests just in case an unexpected medical issue arises.

Here are some coverages and services from CSA’s Guest Protect plan*, designed for vacation rental guests, that might apply if a traveler steps on broken glass on the beach or even in case of a shark attack:

Medical and Dental Coverage
Provides coverage for the necessary medical, surgical and emergency dental care costs if the insured become sick or accidentally injured while on their covered trip. Coverage is in excess of standard coverage, except where prohibited.

Emergency Assistance and Transportation Coverage
Benefits include transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility, help to return home if medically necessary  and expenses for a companion to visit if the insured is traveling alone and is hospitalized for more than 7 days.

No Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses Service
If the insured gets sick or injured while traveling, we can get them to a trusted provider and even handle the payment for acute treatments up to $1,000.

Learn more about partnering with CSA

*Coverages and services listed are for the G-330CSA plan. 

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as CSA Travel Protection and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on CSA’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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Grill fire at vacation rental

Grilling Safety Tips for Vacation Rental Properties

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July is the peak month for vacation rentals stays— but it’s also the peak month for grill fires.

Outfitting your vacation rentals with an outdoor grill can be a great perk for guests, but also a potential hazard. A vacation rental damage protection plan, such as those offered by CSA Travel Protection, can provide coverage if a grill accident causes damage to your rental property. Similarly, a Guest Protect travel insurance plan from CSA can provide coverage if an insured renter is injured in a grill accident and needs medical attention. You can offer both plans to your guests when they book a reservation.

But, since filing an insurance claim is about the last thing anyone wants to do, here are some ways to encourage safe grilling at your rental.

Grilling Safety Tips

One of the best ways you can help avoid grill accidents is to keep the barbecue clean by removing grease buildup from the grills and trays below the grill. Make sure the cleaning crew checks the grill between stays.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests a safety check of the grill should be performed at least once a year:

“Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.”

Another way you can help prevent a grill accident is to print out this handy Grilling Safety Tip Sheet from the NFPA and post it near the barbecue; and it couldn’t hurt to keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Grilling safety tips from NFPA for you and your guests:

  • Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
  • The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
  • Never leave your grill unattended.
  • Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
  • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.
  • If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
  • If the flame goes out on a gas grill, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.

Learn more about partnering with CSA

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as CSA Travel Protection and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply. Travel Retailers may not be licensed to sell insurance, in all states, and are not authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. This notice provides general information on CSA’s products and services only. The information contained herein is not part of an insurance policy and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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Summer Travelers Show Interest in Vacation Rental Insurance

Summer travelers are on the move and a lot of them have vacation rentals and travel insurance on their mind. According to the Summer Travel Guide* from the travel insurance comparison website InsureMyTrip, 18% of respondents plan to stay in a vacation rental this summer and “concerns over coverage for a vacation rental” ranked as a top issue mentioned by travelers speaking to InsureMyTrip agents.

These are some of the top concerns and travel insurance needs of travelers that researched or purchased travel insurance from InsureMyTrip, according to the Summer Travel Guide, and the ways CSA Travel Protection’s Guest Protect Plan could help your guests in each situation:

Travelers’ top travel insurance needs Guest Protect Plan Coverage and Service Solutions from CSA Travel Protection
Concerns over coverage for a vacation rental CSA’s Guest Protect plan is specifically designed to provide coverage for stays at vacation rentals. Reservation cancellations can disrupt your inventory flow and upset guests if they lose their non-refundable payments. The Guest Protect plan can help reinforce your cancellation policy, and, since you offer your guests the travel insurance plan, you can help save the day!
Health Issues before or during a trip Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay and Medical and Dental coverages could apply. Also, On Demand Medical Care services can provide immediate access to on-call physicians, medical advice, and even referral to a nearby physician using CSA’s designated provider network of 30,000 physicians and 850,000 service providers worldwide.
Hurricane or bad weather affecting travel plans Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Travel Delay coverages could apply.
Missing a flight Trip Interruption and Travel Delay coverages could apply.


Noted coverages and services apply to the G-330CSA plan. See a Sample Description of Coverage or Policy for full plan details here.

If your guests mention any of these concerns while making a reservation it’s a great chance to offer them a Guest Protect plan. See more real-life scenarios

Learn more about partnering with CSA

*CSA Travel Protection plans available through InsureMyTrip are different from the Guest Protect travel insurance plan offered in the U.S. vacation rental market.

The survey was sent by email to those identified as US travelers who either researched or purchased travel insurance from InsureMyTrip within the past 18 months. The survey was conducted April 2-16, 2015, and generated 234 completed responses.

Travel insurance plans are administered by Customized Services Administrators, Inc., CA Lic. No. 0821931, located in San Diego, CA and doing business as CSA Travel Protection and Insurance Services. Plans are available to residents of the U.S. but may not be available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and services are described on a general basis; certain conditions and exclusions apply.

Travel insurance plans are underwritten by: Generali U.S. Branch, New York, NY; NAIC # 11231. Generali US Branch operates under the following names: Generali Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (U.S. Branch) in California, Assicurazioni Generali – U.S. Branch in Colorado, Generali U.S. Branch DBA The General Insurance Company of Trieste & Venice in Oregon, and The General Insurance Company of Trieste and Venice – U.S. Branch in Virginia. Generali US Branch is admitted or licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia.

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