Travel insurance: to buy or not to buy?

Absolutely!! Don't leave home without it!!

Buy, buy, buy!

Hi, im doing the same thing through europe, this is what I've found if you are talking about health insurance...

If you already have health insurance here in the US call your agent and ask if your plan covers you abroad.
Questions to ask...
1) what countries are excluded
2) what percent will they cover / what percent will be out of pocket
3) Do you have to pay the bill and then you will be reimbursed by the insurence company
4) does it cover you if you sat and waited in an emergency room setting or only if your in some sort of accident

Hope that helps!

Check online with the credit card you used. AMEX for example covered me for what I needed.

I always buy extra health insurance, I don't buy trip interuption or cancellation insurance unless I am going on a cruise( since you pay up front and its non refundable) . All the hotels I have booked have a one night cancellation penalty if I don't cancel within a reasonalbe period of time so worse case scenerio is I would only lose a night or two at some hotels.
I do really think one should always buy extra health insurance though, and make sure it covers your repatrition ( and a travel companions) is ness.

Can anyone list reputable companies with reasonable prices for travel medical insurance? Or places we can find that info?

Thanks.

be careful with credit card insurances - they usually ONLY cover the cardholder and only for a certain amount of days - eg 30 days, but you are there for 32 days... which sometimes the credit card companies will refuse to pay even if u are claiming for somethign that happened on day 2...

Hey guys! Thanks for the advice. I just got the AIG Travel Guard Insurance. I was home for the weekend and my parents helped me look through all of the sites that Rick listed in Travel Tips, and that one looked like the best, for a reasonable price! Again, thanks!

It is unlikely that your U.S. travel insurance will cover you in Europe to begin with. Second, what if a family member at home got sick while you were away? What expenses would you incur. Those are just starter questions. Issues around travel insurance are much more than YES or NO however. And each policy is different, even from the same company. I recently did an article and video tutorial on buying travel insurance on our web site if you'd like to check it out. It is at beatofhawaii (dot) com.

As standard, Kent is right on the money. I recently purchased travel insurance for my upcoming trip to China. After comparing policies on line, I purchased a policy for less than $100 which covers a multitude of risks.

We used to use Blue Cross for out of country supplemental health insurance; switched years ago to BCAA (our equivalent to AAA) insurance and, being members, get a decent rate. The cancellation type insurance I've never bothered with and so far, no problem (knock on wood).

Agree with others. Don't leave home without it.

I went to Israel on a 2-week tour in November. The first day of our tour one of the ladies died of a heart attack.

Trip Mate paid for the body to be shipped home which is VERY expensive.

Reimburse the cost of the tour, airline and all for the lady and her husband.

Just prior to our tour, my assigned travel companion was injured in an auto accident and was unable to go on the tour.

Travel Mate reimbursed her total cost for the tour and I was able to have our rooms (at 5 stasr hotels) to myself.

Never would I travel without Travel Insurance.

I agree - buy the insurance. I feel that its one of those things we need to have, but don't fully appreciate it until we need to use it!
We went to Africa in the fall and not only had insurance, but evacuation insurance as well. For a couple hundred dollars, it provided us with a little extra security if anything happened to us whilst there. If you're more than 150 miles from home, they'll get you to the hospital of your choice rather than what hospital choice may be available. As I often travel out of state for football season, its nice to know that I can get home if necessary.
It was a type of insurance that I hadnt' heard of until our Africa trip and thought I'd pass the info along. do a search for MedjetAssist for info.
Enjoy your trip!