Trip Insurance

Planning a cruise or vacation abroad this summer?

Then consider travel insurance.

While it's a bit pricey upfront, if you get sick or injured and have to be helicoptered out or hospitalized in a foreign country, you'll certainly be glad that you bought it. I purchased it for the first time when I went to Egypt last year and it cost approximately 5% of the total tour package. But, the peace of mind was well worth it!

Rates vary, depending upon how much coverage you want. Before buying a policy, ask your travel agent what company she works with as sometimes you'll get a discount. Then, check out what your regular medical insurance will pay in a foreign country and pick the level of coverage you need based on what they won't cover.

Be sure and read the fine print as I discovered that most policies are good only until midnight on the day your trip ends. So, if you get sick when you return, then nothing is covered.

There are many choices available, but I purchased a policy through Travel Guard: http://www.travelguard.com/travelinsurance/index.asp