[cac_li]

Did anyone buy travel insurance when they traveled on their first trip?? Is it a good idea?

[kretzklan]

I don't travel without it anywhere - even for family trips...especially outside the US! I sent you a PM with some other info!

[beckyww]

We did. Great peace of mind.

Becky
This Reminds Me

[MenloAve]

I've tended to worry less about the travel insurance because most of them don't really protect you for what you want to be protected for, so make sure you ask for the fine print/details that explain what is and isn't covered. (For example, we were booking a cruise and they recommended travel insurance just in case the adoption came through and we needed to cancel. I asked for the details of the insurance and it wouldn't have been a covered reason.) Another fun question is to ask the travel agent how much money they make if they sell you the travel insurance.....Also check your credit card because some offer some baggage loss protection, missed flight, etc.

Instead I maintain a membership for the family for emergency airlift type insurance. Basically, most health insurance companies require you to be treated at the closest facility they deem appropriate (medical evac is expensive.) These guys guarantee to bring you home to the US to be treated. We used Travel Assist Network but I'm sure there are others.

[misshawna]

We bought it first trip and my luggage got delayed a few days and they wouldn't cover the expenses incurred. So I don't even remember if I bought it second trip.

[kretzklan]

It's really important to find a company with the right coverage...many will do reimbursement for any money you have to spend for lost or late luggage. I know of a great company and am happy to give the info to anyone who may want it!

[proudmommyof 2]

For our third trip with Tommy, we had to stay in Moscow a week longer than intended. (Long story-involved the 60th anniversary of VDay). It cost us 700USD per ticket to change the date of return. However, I don't know if travel insurance would have covered it...

[coachmom]

we got and were glad we did..just make sure you know what it covers before you buy.
Coachmom

[sak9645]

There are lots of types of travel insurance. So be sure you understand what you want and what various carriers are offering. Here are some of the things that may or may not be offered:

1. Payment of the costs of air ambulance transport from the country where you are located to your home country, so that you can be treated for your life-threatening illness or injury in a more appropriate medical setting. Air ambulance service is VERY expensive, and you really don't want to have to pay for it out of pocket.

2. Payment of the costs of having someone fly from home to where you are located, to help care for you in the hospital, care for your child, and escort you home, if you become ill or injured.

3. (God forbid). Payment of the costs of having your remains flown home, if you should pass away, so that you can be buried in your home country.

4. Payment of any charges that you incur because your luggage is lost or damaged in transit.

5. Payment of any charges that you incur because the airline cancels a flight or goes out of business, after you have made all your arrangements.

6. Payment of any charges that you incur because you must change your travel plans due to illness, because of problems in the country where you are going, and so on.

7. Referral to a Western-quality medical practitioner or hospital in the country, and payment of costs incurred.

Sharon