FAQs and Insurance

Traveler's Insurance Information

Passenger travel insurance is recommended on all multi-day trips. Tours By Design can not always offer refunds for cancellations once we fall within 30 days of a Tour. Policies vary by trip and are found on the individual itineraries.

The best way to ensure a refund is to purchase separate Travel Insurance & Assistance. You can travel with ease thanks to insurance policies available through Allianz Global Assistance. Allianz Global Assistance has an award-winning reputation for service, and provides worry-free travel to millions of travelers around the world. 

Protect your travel investment with travel insurance.
Travel insurance is a great way to protect your travel investment. By choosing to offer travel insurance, your travel agent is providing you a financial safety net for most unforeseen travel inconveniences. Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance plans have been created to suit most any traveler’s coverage needs. Many of our travel plans include benefits like:

And all of Allianz Global Assistance's plans come with award-winning customer service! We also provide one of the largest lists of covered reasons for trip cancellation and trip interruption including covered injury and illness, legal separation/divorce, strikes, natural disasters, bad weather, jury duty, traffic accidents, normal pregnancy, job loss and more.*

Be sure to read the Certificate of Insurance/Policy and Letter of Confirmation for the specifics on what your plan covers. If you’re not satisfied, Allianz Global Assistance will refund your insurance premium if you cancel your insurance within 10 days of purchase and have not filed a claim or departed on your trip.

Save money, safeguard your journey, and make your vacation memorable for all of the right reasons. Ask your travel agent which Allianz Global Assistance plan is right for you.

* Please see Certificate of Insurance/Policy for terms, conditions, and exclusions which may apply to the plan purchased.

Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company, rated “A-“ (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 or 52.401, or Jefferson Insurance Company, rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C-XX-01 or 101-P-XX-01, depending on the insured’s state.  AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of this plan and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage because of the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company.

 

Passport Information

All US citizens are now required to have a Passport or Enhanced Drivers License to re-enter the United States.  States that border Canada, including New York, have developed Enhanced Drivers Licenses which will have the required citizenship information embedded for travel in place of a passport. These cost slightly less than a Passport. Check with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles for more information.

US Passport and NYS Enhanced License

FAQs and General Information

How many people do I need to make up a group?

We will customize your tour for any number, but generally a minimum of 35 is suggested on a 
full-size coach (55 passenger is maximum capacity). Smaller vehicles are available such as 24 and 36-passenger mini-coaches.

 

Do you own your vehicles?

No, Tours By Design does not own vehicles. We charter vehicles with reputable bus companies who are fully insured, licensed and whose drivers undergo frequent review and training procedures. 

We try to get the best price for the customer but we realize that the cheapest is not always the best and safest. Safety is our number one priority.

 

What kind of groups do you work with?

A group can be made up of anyone. We work a great deal with senior citizen clubs, churches, schools, scouts, businesses and even family reunions. 

 

How far in advance should I plan my trip?

It’s never too soon! There is a limited number of motorcoaches available in Central New York and weekends are prime time. Saturdays are generally sold out especially in the spring and fall. If you must travel on a Saturday during those times, you will want to call at least six months in advance to get the date of your choice. Even then, there is no guarantee. Certainly we can look for coaches from outside our area to service you, but keep in mind that will mean a higher price.

 

I have had the pleasure to go on a number of bus trips put on by Tours by Design, both day trips and overnight trips. As a former Director of a Senior Center, I am used to bus trips and I must say that Carol does an amazing job of putting together trips of the highest quality. A person never needs to worry about a thing when you travel with tours By Design.


– Betty Abel-Jellencich