Travel Insurance: Yes? No? Why?

[Carlanne McCrystal]

Every time I work up an itinerary for a client, I include the cost of travel insurance. If someone declines said insurance, I make them sign a waiver that I offered it and they declined it. I have been fortunate that most clients have either taken the insurance or had no serious situations arise when they declined it. I was just reading an article in the New York Times Travel section (I follow this on Twitter) and decided the article was worth a permalink here:

Stuck in Paradise, Needing Medical Help

This story only reiterates in my mind that accidents happen, usually when one can least afford them. So no matter where you are going, especially if you are traveling outside the boundries of the country you live in, consider travel insurance. Make sure you check existing coverage with your health insurance provider, the charge card company you book your travel through (you may want to use only one credit card so you can take advantage of the travel insurance they offer, however minimal it may be), and consider purchasing the travel insurance your travel consultant offers you. It may be the best investment you make on your travels