If the car rental company provides
a basic third party insurance coverage. Does your auto plan
insurance will make up the difference between their limit
and the actual amount of any potential claim, up to the limit
of your own third party legal liability coverage (which should
be at least $1,000,000 and probably $2,000,000 if travelling
in the U.S.)? Have a careful look at your policy.
If you are travelling in your own car you should make sure
the contents are fully covered. Ordinary automobile insurance
does not cover the contents and your homeowner's, or tenant's
policy, probably limits the amount payable for your luggage
and its contents, with a corresponding deductible.
If you plan to be away from home for 30 days or more, you
should notify your insurer in advance, and also arrange to
have someone check the premises at regular intervals. Travellers
should look at their tickets carefully. There is usually fine
print which limits the legal liability of the carrier for
death or injury, and for damage to luggage. Even though most
carriers try very hard to find your luggage and to look after
it, their strict legal responsibility to do those things is
usually very limited.
It is much easier to replace a lost passport while you are
out of Canada if you have with you details of the number and
date of issue. Leave a copy of the key page at home and put
another copy in your luggage. That also helps to prove ownership
of missing luggage. Taping a business card inside helps to
prove you own your luggage. Locking your luggage is another
way to avoid a confrontation with the law at home or abroad.
Even if the contents are not stolen from an unlocked suitcase,
something -- a bomb, or drugs -- could be put into it.
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