Travel Report: Tourists Skittish On The Dominican Republic?

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Jun 20, 2019, 16:41 ET

WARWICK, R.I., June 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- InsureMyTrip reports an increase in calls from concerned travelers due to a growing list of American tourists falling ill during trips to the Dominican Republic. This week, travel insurance agents from the comparison site say roughly 3 out of 10 calls are from travelers with questions about visits to the country — some also seeking to cancel trips.

Summary:

Travel insurance agents report an increase in travelers seeking advice or clarification of coverage.
More travelers seeking trip cancellation coverage with a cancel for any reason option.
Search queries related to travel insurance for trips to the Dominican Republic are also up 600 percent compared to the same time last year.

The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean. In the past year, the US State Department confirmed at least nine Americans died after becoming ill while visiting the country. Dozens of others have gotten sick and recovered. Authorities are now investigating.

InsureMyTrip is monitoring the situation and advising concerned travelers to visit the Dominican Republic resource page for the latest information.

Cancel For Any Reason
Those who may seek to cancel a trip due to safety concerns, Cancel For Any Reason may be considered. This optional time sensitive benefit, available on some comprehensive travel insurance plans, is designed to enable travelers to cancel a trip for any reason and be reimbursed up to 75% of their pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost. Eligibility requirements apply.

Travel smart

The State Department offers the following recommendations for those who decide to travel to the Dominican Republic:

Be aware of your surroundings.
Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
Follow the advice of resort and tour operators regarding local safety and security concerns
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
Review the Crime and Safety Report for the Dominican Republic.
U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist.

The US State Department issued a Travel Advisory for the Dominican Republic on April 15, 2019, related to crime.

In regards to hotel safety, TripAdvisor is another resource. The site recently updated hotel reviews to include safety concerns reported by guests.

Travel Insurance Expert:
Meghan Walch
401-773-9210
[email protected]

About InsureMyTrip

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SOURCE InsureMyTrip