| This is one of those age-old questions with no | | | | applies if the storm has already been named by the |
| definitive answer. It's estimated that 30 percent of | | | | National Weather Service) |
| Americans purchase travel insurance, which is a | | | | - Your pet is ill |
| drastic increase since 9/11, when less than 10 percent | | | | - Your flight is delayed for so long that you want to |
| of travelers were insured. | | | | cancel |
| If you're flying on a $150 ticket to see Aunt Irma in | | | | One major caveat: Never purchase travel insurance |
| Wisconsin, you probably don't need travel insurance. | | | | from the same tour operator or cruise line with which |
| But on a trip such as yours, travel insurance can | | | | you're traveling. If that company goes out of |
| come in handy if something unexpectedly disrupts | | | | business, there may not be money to cover your |
| your trip. Your first step is to compare the cost of | | | | claim. Use a third-party provider (that includes travel |
| the trip versus the cost of the policy. | | | | agents). |
| The most common situations when travel insurance | | | | Also, don't forget about medical insurance. Even if |
| comes in handy are: | | | | you are covered for basic emergency care overseas, |
| - Your flight is canceled | | | | in almost all cases, your current health insurance does |
| - Your passport and wallet are stolen | | | | NOT cover you to evacuate you and fly you back to |
| - You require medical treatment while abroad | | | | the U.S. Something called "Medical Evacuation and |
| - You need to cancel your trip due to illness | | | | Repatriation" insurance comes in handy here. You pay |
| - An unexpected hurricane hits your destination | | | | a yearly fee, and if you get sick or injured overseas, |
| - Your airline/cruise line/tour company go bankrupt | | | | the policy will get you treated, stabilized and flown |
| Reasons NOT to purchase travel insurance are: | | | | back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice, not |
| - You're afraid of terrorism | | | | theirs. There are a number of good companies that |
| - A hurricane is going to hit your destination (this | | | | provide this type of plan, such as MedJet Assist. |