| Before you head out on that big trip, do you need to | | | | While these two coverage options are almost always |
| purchase travel insurance? What is travel insurance | | | | included in a travel insurance policy, there are other |
| anyway? Is it a wise investment, or a waste of | | | | options available. Those who are traveling overseas |
| money? Understanding travel insurance before you | | | | often purchase travel health insurance. This covers |
| book your next trip will help you make a wise | | | | the cost of medical care that you may need while |
| decision as to whether or not to purchase this | | | | traveling out of the country. However, before you |
| insurance product. | | | | purchase this, make sure you do not already have |
| Two Main Coverage Options | | | | similar coverage through your existing health |
| Travel insurance products vary quite a bit from policy | | | | insurance provider. |
| to policy. For this reason, you need to carefully read | | | | Some travel insurance policies also include a lost or |
| the policy you are considering buying. However, there | | | | stolen baggage clause. This will pay the approximate |
| are two main types of coverage that you will almost | | | | cost of replacing any lost or stolen luggage or other |
| always see as part of a travel insurance plan. These | | | | belongings that you have. Whether the airline loses |
| are trip cancellation or interruption coverage and | | | | your baggage or someone steals it while you are on |
| emergency medical evacuation coverage. | | | | your trip, it will be covered. |
| Trip cancellation or interruption coverage will pay all or | | | | Catches to Watch For |
| a portion of the cost of your trip if it is cancelled or | | | | There are some catches to watch for when |
| cut short due to unforeseen circumstances. For | | | | shopping for travel insurance. First, look for the |
| instance, if you end up in the hospital before your | | | | various exceptions and exemptions on the policy. For |
| trip, you may be able to get your deposit back. | | | | instance, if you are purchasing interruption coverage, |
| However, you should know that not all reasons for | | | | you may find that you will only be reimbursed after |
| cancellation are covered. If you decide that you do | | | | you have tried all that you can try to get a |
| not want to go at the last minute, you will not get | | | | reimbursement from the cruise line or tour company |
| your money back. The interruption part of this | | | | or if the company declares bankruptcy. Also, check |
| coverage will cover the loss you may have if the | | | | your other insurance policies, such as your health |
| cruise line or tour company canceled your trip. If, for | | | | insurance and homeowner's insurance, to make sure |
| instance, you have to head home early due to bad | | | | that you are not purchasing coverage that you |
| weather while you are on your cruise, you may be | | | | already own. |
| able to get reimbursed for a portion of your trip's | | | | Understanding what travel insurance actually covers is |
| cost. | | | | important when you are making a decision about |
| Emergency evacuation coverage is great for those | | | | purchasing it. It is not a perfect solution that will |
| who are traveling out of the country. If you need to | | | | repay you for the cost of your trip under any |
| be medically evacuated from your destination | | | | circumstances. Most policies have specific |
| country, you will not have to pay for the evacuation | | | | circumstances under which they will pay, and other |
| or your trip back to America if you have this | | | | circumstances that are excluded from the policy. |
| coverage. This is important coverage for those who | | | | Read the policy carefully, consider your individual |
| are traveling in areas where there is not going to be | | | | needs, and decide whether or not the cost of travel |
| access to good medical care. | | | | insurance is worth the protection it provides. |
| Other Coverage Options to Consider | | | | |