Travel insurance is not a single-size-fits-all kind of insurance. There are several types of travel insurance. Some of them are travel medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, flight insurance, and evacuation insurance.

You may research the travel insurance that your friend purchased when he visited Spain, but remember that his situation might have been vastly different from yours. Although the most oft-purchased insurance plans are trip cancellation and travel medical insurance, consider your specific needs and purchase the plan that works for you.

Trip cancellation insurance is cover for the occurrence of the trip-which means that you are insuring against the possibility of the trip being cancelled. In many cases, this includes coverage for the trip being cut short. Usually, trip cancellation insurance covers cancellations or interruptions in case they occur due to specific reasons.

The reasons that are covered (for both trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance) are usually the death or illness of the traveler, traveling companion or immediate family member, the destruction of the insured’s primary residence, the call of jury duty, military service or a subpoena, termination of employment and often, inclement weather.

Trip cancellation insurance provides maximum coverage if bought as soon as the tickets are, with research on prices and coverage done beforehand. For trips that feature substantial non-refundable costs such as those of accommodation, trip cancellation insurance is almost a necessity. Obviously, last-minute trips are less likely to be changed or cancelled.

The other common type of travel insurance that you’d want to purchase is travel medical insurance. This covers the medical costs of any sudden illness that occurs during your trip. Your travel medical insurance covers inpatient and outpatient care, and includes consultation, diagnostics, surgical procedures and prescriptions, all subject to the conditions of the plan.

Your travel insurance plan is likely to cover emergency medical evacuation or, in some cases, emergency political evacuation. Your plan benefits will also include some AD&D and repatriation of mortal remains.

Apart from these benefits, many plans offer additional coverage for an extra cost. Some of these include cover for injuries arising from adventurous sports, and trip cancellation due to “any reason”. Other travel insurance benefits include baggage loss and delay, and identity theft. Many plans also offer travel advisory services. However, to know the exact nature of the coverage offered, it is best to consult the plan schedule of benefits.

Ray sandeo frequently writes about travel health insurance

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