Trip Insurance? 1st time in Itay...

Astrid , I have ALWAYS purchased trip insurance principally for a specific aspect . Having used Travelguard , the policy covers things like luggage ( relatively meaningless ) trip cancellation ( Of some value , just in case ) but the paramount reason is medical and medical evacuation coverage . While each traveler needs to determine what their stateside coverage allows , Medicare DOES NOT cover you in Europe . Our secondary private insurance ( which we obtained via my wife's former employer ) does not either . If you get sick or have an accident while overseas , you will find yourself in an awkward situation . As Dirty Harry would say " How lucky do you feel ? " Have a great trip Enjoy Bella Italia !

Here's Rick's introduction to the subject: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/travel-insurance.htm Most people are most worried about medical coverage, because this can astronomical. If you lose the money you spent on a hotel or airfare, that's finite, and money you've already committed to spending; if you have a medical situation, the costs can escalate way beyond your ability to pay. Many use http://www.insuremytrip.com to compare policies and coverage.

We suggest that you definitely buy travel insurance. A friend of mine knew somebody whose husband died after landing at Charles De Gaulle Airport. Even though she had some trip insurance, it cost her $60,000, YES $60,000 to get her husband's body back to the U.S. Yes, there are numerous laws about transporting a body back here. She thought she had good insurance, but she didn't.

I also purchase travel insurance for the medical evacuation benefit. I used insuremytrip.com last year and found it very easy to use and when I had questions, I could call and speak to someone on the phone.