| It is something that we all need if we are planning to | | | | Department of State. American citizens are still |
| take a trip overseas. Travel insurance will cover most | | | | forbidden to travel to Cuba and obtaining travel |
| costs in the event of a delayed or canceled trip, | | | | insurance to go there is almost impossible. |
| death or illness and lost baggage. | | | | Some insurance policies will cover acts of terrorism |
| The situations that are commonly covered by travel | | | | while other policies won't - always check the small |
| insurance are emergency medical assistance, death, a | | | | print or contact your insurance company if the policy |
| canceled trip and damaged baggage. You can | | | | isn't clear. Check whether your policy covers you in |
| generally take out travel insurance for any or all of | | | | the event of natural disasters such as floods or |
| these options, although it may not always be | | | | earthquakes - especially if you are traveling to certain |
| necessary. Make sure you understand exactly what | | | | parts of the world. |
| your policy does and does not cover. | | | | If you are traveling to a country where riots, civil |
| If you are traveling overseas, always check your | | | | disturbances, strikes or other outbreaks are likely to |
| existing medical insurance to see whether it covers | | | | affect your travel plans, look for travel insurance that |
| you away from home - you may not need to take | | | | specifically covers those possibilities - many policies |
| out extra travel insurance. And you may not need to | | | | exclude them. |
| take out as much travel insurance if you have a | | | | And airlines reserves the right to cancel your flight |
| major credit card - most credit cards include some | | | | and offer you a full refund in the event of civil war, |
| kind of basic travel or trip cancellation insurance. | | | | hostilities, riots or other things determined to be "acts |
| So if you do need travel insurance, where do you | | | | of God". As far as lost luggage is concerned, airlines |
| get it from? Most cruise lines, travel agents, airlines | | | | insure your luggage against loss or damage to some |
| and tour companies will provide adequate and | | | | degree - you can take out extra insurance if you |
| comprehensive travel insurance. If you are taking a | | | | want to. |
| cruise, it may be easier to let the cruise line handle it | | | | If you are traveling as part of a group - often |
| - they may also be able to offer you a lower rate as | | | | defined in the travel industry as 10 people or more - |
| they can buy group rate coverage. | | | | it is almost certainly easier and cheaper to take out |
| Some insurance won't cover pre-existing medical | | | | group travel insurance. As long as your group is |
| conditions or participation in dangerous activities such | | | | traveling together, it should qualify. |
| as skiing or mountaineering. Decide whether you need | | | | And so-called "family plans" are often less expensive |
| this type of insurance before you travel - most | | | | when it comes to travel insurance for families |
| insurance companies won't allow you to add so-called | | | | traveling together - family may include extended |
| dangerous sports coverage to your policy once you | | | | family such as cousins, grandparents and various |
| are actually there. | | | | in-laws. |
| The cost of travel insurance can be a lot higher if | | | | Like most insurance products - travel insurance can |
| you are traveling to certain countries that are | | | | be confusing. It's certainly worth taking out the right |
| considered to be risky or unsafe. These "travel | | | | insurance - at the right price - so you can actually |
| advisories" are maintained on a list by the US | | | | enjoy that long awaited trip. |