Do I need insurance?

You and your Travel Agent just found the perfect vacation and it is with in your budget, what an awesome feeling!  The conversation turns to the dreaded travel insurance.  “Do I really need that?” is the question most often asked at this point.
So what’s the answer?  In most cases, the answer is an easy yes.  Even if you are DEFINITELY going, you need insurance.  Insurance does not only cover you for trip cancellation.  Other coverages includes, trip delay, trip interruption, lost or delayed bags, medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation.  Let’s consider each of these one at a time.
Trip cancellation would cover you in the event that you need to cancel for a covered reason.  What if you get sick or lose your job and cannot go?  Also ask about the cancel for any reason rider, this is usually very inexpensive to add.
Trip delay covers you if you are delayed for a covered reason.  What if your flight is delayed and you miss your cruise?  

Trip interruption coverage is for any part of your vacation that is unused due to an emergency and need to return home.
If your luggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed you are reimbursed for purchase of essential items.

Medical coverage is important any time you are traveling.  Depending on your medical insurance, you may not be covered internationally, at sea or even outside of your home network area.  

Emergency Medical Evacuation covers transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility.  This is especially important if you are traveling international.

Actual benefits, reasons for coverage and limits will vary.  Please consult your policy or insurance company for exact details.​

Not the most exciting or pleasant conversation that your Travel Agent will have, but it is certainly necessary.  So the next time you are asked to purchase travel insurance, rather than asking “Do I really need that?”, you can ask “What is the best policy to meet my needs?”