* INTEREST IN TRAVEL INSURANCE SURGES FOLLOWING TERROR ATTACKS (New York Times). Experts in the travel insurance industry say that consumer interest in terrorism coverage and trip cancelation policies has surged following recent attacks in Brussels, Paris, Nice, and elsewhere. Despite the increased interest, however, you shouldn't be seeing rate hikes or policy changes; those things are heavily regulated. But although terrorism coverage has become standard since 9/11, make sure you read your policy's fine print. Coverage might depend on factors such as when the attack took place and how exactly you were affected. Since these things differ on a case-by-case basis, the experts recommend always contacting your insurance company if you think you have a questionable claim.
* CRUISE LINES CONTINUE TO CANCEL STOPS IN TURKEY (Cruise Critic). Cruise lines—including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises—continue to cancel stops in Istanbul and other Turkish cities, substituting days at sea or calls at Mediterranean spots in Greece and Italy. The latest moves come in response to a failed military coup intended to overthrow Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Previous cancelations have been prompted by terrorist attacks and threats throughout the country. The U.S. State Department advises against travel to southeastern Turkey in particular, and suggests reconsidering travel to anywhere else in Turkey in the wake of the attempted coup.
* NEW APP LETS YOU SWITCH RENTAL CARS ON THE SPOT (Los Angeles Times). Rental car company Avis introduced a new mobile app last week designed to give customers more control over the car-choosing process. If you're unhappy with the car assigned to you, you can pick another on the spot by swiping through images of the available inventory until you find a make and model more to your liking. You can also use the app to extend or shorten your rental agreement or summon roadside assistance. The app is called Avis Now and is included with membership in the company's Avis Preferred program, which is free to join. Competitor Hertz says it continues to upgrade its own app, which can carry out many of the same tasks.
That's all we've got for now. Check back throughout the week for fresh updates.
