For starters, Delta and Northwest are both promising to honor tickets and award points. As US Airways and United have shown, major companies don't necessarily disappear just because of a bankruptcy or two. In fact, mergers are more likely. But of course, there are no guarantees. So we repeat the old bromide -- pay by credit card. Also, consider buying from a third party that will help you if things go south. You might consider travel insurance. But choosing the right policy is tricky. Here are a few tips:

• If the fine print doesn't mention "financial default of travel provider," assume that you aren't covered for the sudden disappearance of your travel provider.

• Even if they do cover a trip ruined by financial default, most insurers exempt certain financially shaky companies. Look for a section of the insurance contract called "Travel Supplier Restrictions" to find blacklisted firms.

• To get an idea of the companies typically excluded from financial default coverage, go to Bankruptcy Insurance. The list compiled by Total Travel Insurance, which sells policies from numerous insurers, includes 27 airlines, 38 tour operators, 11 cruise lines and three car companies.

CINDY LOOSE

Total Travel Insurance is an online site that offers tools to research different insurance products and coverages such as terrorism at departure/destination and allows you to receive a free quote from all major travel insurance companies. When it comes to terrorism insurance, there are three main coverages that insure a safe trip: Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.

Insurance companies offer protection up to 100% of your trip cost under coverage of Trip Cancellation, if you need to cancel your trip in case of terrorism. Coverage starts at midnight from your purchase date and covers you up to your date of departure. Travelers should keep in mind that there are many other valid reasons that exist for canceling a trip.

Trip Interruption covers you in the event your trip gets interrupted and you are forced to head back home prematurely. Up to150% of your total trip cost is protected since unscheduled flights are more expensive than scheduled ones.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, often known as AD&D, offers coverage in case of an accidental death. Coverage begins at $10,000 and can go up to $1 million.

Visit Terrorism Insurance for more detailed information.

Alex Velinov, President of Total Travel Insurance, says, "You have to be careful when purchasing travel insurance because not all companies offer terrorism insurance coverage and not all companies offer the same level of protection. Often, you need to purchase insurance within 14 days of your initial trip deposit to qualify for this coverage".

Travelers planning to buy trip insurance have another resource when researching prices online. TotalTravelInsurance.com lets consumers compare prices from multiple insurance companies after typing in the dates of the trip, its cost, the travelers' ages and state of residence, and other required information.

Besides offering a price comparison tool, TotalTravelInsurance.com sells policies from various providers, including Travelex Insurance Services, TravelGuard and CSA Travel Protection (it shows prices only from companies whose policies it sells; among those left out are Access America and HTH Worldwide). Travelers can choose from comprehensive plans - which typically cover trip cancellation or interruption, among other benefits - as well as flight accident, medical-evacuation plans and medical coverage for United States residents traveling abroad.

The site was created by a company that has been in the business of developing software for insurance companies, System Fusion LLC, which began selling policies through TotalTravelInsurance.com in January.

TotalTravelInsurance.com has a nice feature that shows the percentage of a trip's cost that goes for insurance, and does offer a phone number, somewhat less conspicuously, though Alex Velinov, the company's president, said more than 90 percent of its customers bought online.

SUSAN STELLIN

A new travel insurance website compares prices of all major travel insurance companies. This service is intended to help streamline what is often a complicated and frustrating process for vacation and business travelers.

Total Travel Insurance is a New York–based travel insurance agency licensed to sell travel medical insurance, evacuation insurance, flight insurance, and rental car insurance.

Alex Velinov, company president, says that Total Travel Insurance compares prices of all major travel insurance companies. “A traveler who needs insurance comes to us, completes a simple 6-question quote, and receives a list of all plans that they are eligible for with prices.”

Total Travel Insurance offers a variety of plans:

• Comprehensive plans that protect all aspects of a trip
• Basic plans that provide coverage for a lower price
• Medical plans for both medical and dental insurance
• Evacuation plans to help evacuate an injured traveler from a remote area
• Common carrier plans providing life insurance while flying
• Rental car plans covering collision damage waiver insurance.

According to Alex, “A main point that most travelers don’t realize is that their medical insurance does not cover them abroad. Most Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Options (PPOs) do not provide coverage when traveling outside of the US”.

He says a second point is that many people believe their credit card, cruise company, or a traveler provider will offer a refund when they cannot go on a trip. “In reality, there is little protection offered by them. Only an appropriate insurance covers you in case of an emergency.”

Alex says there are a number of valid reasons why a traveler might be denied coverage from an insurance source they are currently relying on:

• Serious injury or an unforeseen serious sickness occurring to you, your business partner, or traveling companion, which is so disabling that it delays, cancels or interrupts the trip.
• An organized labor strike stopping travel for at least 48 consecutive hours
• A terrorist incident in your city of departure or destination occurring after the policy effective date, if you are scheduled to arrice in that city within 30 days following the terrorist incident
• Felonious assault of you or your traveling companion within ten days of departure or during the covered trip

With over 50 plans that can be quoted and compared, Total Travel Insurance is now one of the most comprehensive research tools available online. This web gem is ideal for all safety-concerned travelers nationwide and visitors to the US. Total Travel Insurance allows you to compare from a large range of insurance products: from comprehensive trip insurance plans that protect all aspects of your trip, to special purpose plans that protect just your health or your flight.

Alex Velinov, president of Total Travel Insurance, says, "The consumer is at the control. The consumer completes six simple questions and receives a list of plans for which they are eligible with prices. The consumer can then research each company, product, coverage and plan. They can compare prices and coverages any way that they prefer. We do not ask for any extra information or email address until they are ready to buy."

Kara Cayman, Customer Support Manager, says, "We all want to have a worry-free trip. We want the most insurance coverage for the smallest price. With our system, you get to compare prices and purchase the plan that best suits your needs. With over 15,000 satisfied customers, we have sold plans in all 50 states, Canada, and travelers from numerous foreign countries such as India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Our system is so easy to use, that even my grandmother, who is not a computer expert, was able to complete a quote and purchase a policy from us."

About Total Travel Insurance

Total Travel Insurance is a New York-based travel insurance agency. We are licensed to sell travel insurance, flight accident, life insurance and health insurance products. Please visit our web site at http://www.totaltravelinsurance.com/.

About System Fusion

System Fusion, LLC is a software development firm specializing in providingsolutions for the Insurance industry. The company was founded in 2001 by a team of insurance experts with over 15 years of industry experience each. Its products and solutions currently serve several major insurance carriers across many computer platforms.

     CONTACT INFORMATION:                   CONTACT INFORMATION:

     Total Travel Insurance                 System Fusion, LLC
     Alex Velinov                           Andy McGuire
     45 Park Ter W, Ste 3-G                 182 Cooper Avenue
     New York, NY 10034-1536                Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
     Toll Free: (866) 226-7500              Phone:  (973) 519-0713
     Fax:    (240) 363-8438                 Fax:    (973) 744-5768