A young woman traveling with a group slipped and fell down some stairs at a train station. Since she was towards the rear of the group, it was not discovered until they were on the train and realized she was not with them.

The group was able to exit the train in time and find their friend. She was taken to a hospital for treatment, where she remained for two months.

Her distraught family flew to Japan to take care of her, where she remained unstable in a coma. After two months, the family paid $90,000 for a medical evacuation flight to take her home for further care.

After two additional months of care, she died last Wednesday. She had just turned 33 years old.

Even though money is of no importance to the family after such a tragedy, there is also no need for the additional stress. Their thoughts should be with each other in this difficult time. In the end, that is what is important.

This story truly illustrates that anything can happen.

11. Cancel for any reason insurance coverage protects for any reason

You never know what will happen, and some causes of canceled trips may not be covered.

If you want coverage no matter what, regardless of the reason, some travel insurance companies offer a policy add-on called “cancel for any reason” coverage. This works just as it sounds. Buy the extra coverage and your trip will be covered for cancellation for any reason at all, even if you just decide not to go.

There are some requirements, however:

• the plan must be purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit
• you must select and pay for the “cancel for any reason” option
• all pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs should be insured
• your trip is canceled 2 or more days before the departure date

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

The simplest form of travel insurance is a travel medical policy, which covers you for major emergency medical expenses.

Many travelers new to travel insurance don’t fully understand the options they have. One of the simplest options is a travel medical policy, which covers emergency medical expenses and medical evacuation expenses.

If you are looking for travel insurance but do not need trip cancellation insurance, most agents recommend a travel medical policy. Travel medical insurance usually covers:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency dental expenses
• Medical evacuation
• Accidental death

Travel medical policies are usually cheaper as well, since there is no trip cancellation coverage. For example: a 30 year old traveler from the US is visiting family overseas, and needs travel medical coverage. For around $40 per month, they can purchase basic travel medical coverage that will cover emergency medical situations.

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

10. 24/7 phone support to get help in a foreign country

One of the most stressful aspects of travel is getting beyond language and cultural barriers, and it can be even more daunting in an emergency.

Imagine having an accident while on vacation, but not knowing the local language and procedures. You don’t know the reputable hospitals, how they operate, or how they handle billing.

If you need support in a foreign country, travel insurance companies operate support centers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call and ask questions about coverage, get directed to the nearest hospital, or even have emergency medical arrangements made for you.

These phone centers are staffed with multi-lingual insurance professionals. They are trained to help travelers from across the globe, and get the help you need. (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

9. You need to cancel a trip after a death in the family

Even though finances are the last thing on your mind in an emotional situation such as a death in the family, it doesn’t hurt to eliminate unnecessary stress. In the case of a death in the immediate family, you know you can take care of family needs and not suffer a financial loss.

Package plans include coverage, usually for the entire trip cost, for cancellation due to the death of you, a family member, or your traveling companion. In order for the plan to pay, the death must occur in the effective time of the policy. This means you must purchase the policy before the death occurs.

8. Friends or family are visiting from a foreign country

When a family member from a foreign country plans to visit you in the US, they need insurance to cover them here. A travel medical policy would provide basic medical emergency coverage.

If a friend who lives abroad is planning a visit, they need coverage here in the US. They probably have coverage back home, but chances are it will not apply for accidents or illnesses here in the US.

Travel medical insurance can provide medical and evacuation benefits for non-US residents who are spending time in the US. These policies can usually be purchased for very short periods of time, as little as 5 days, and longer periods up to a few years.

7. Spending extended time abroad

Many people choose to live abroad for extended periods of time. Sometimes it is for work, or travel, or school. Either way, you need medical insurance that will cover you overseas. You have insurance at home, and it is just as important to have it in a foreign country.

People who need travel medical insurance:

• students attending school abroad
• employees working in overseas locations
• those taking an extended vacation and living abroad
• expatriates

Travel medical insurance can be purchased for periods of time from 5 days and up to 3 years. It provides medical expense coverage as well as medical evacuation coverage. Many plans also offer 24/7 phone support, which will help get beyond language issues in foreign countries and get the help you need.

6. Financial default of a travel company

If the airline, tour operator or cruise line you’ve booked a trip with goes bankrupt, and stops providing service, you could be in trouble. A portion of your trip could be lost.
If it happens and you don’t have travel insurance, you could be out the part of your trip that is booked with the bankrupt carrier.

Travel insurance, if purchased within a certain amount of time of you initial trip deposit, will provide coverage for financial default.