Yikes! I just spent a fortune on the trip. Do I really need the added cost of trip insurance?

Thanks!

That sort of answers the question, doesn't it?

First - perhaps you already have it - does your credit card offer automatic trip insurance (you probably have to charge the travel on the card) or if you have group health benefits they might cover a portion, such as travel health issues.

Second - what are the cancellation terms? If you have to cancel before the trip how much are you prepared to risk?

Third - what are the potential costs of delay/interruption while you're away - a lot of people didn't have interruption insurance during the ash cloud and incurred a lot of expenses.

We never travel without insurance - cancellation and medical - for our trip to Africa earlier this year it was over $1,300 but I wouldn't consider skipping it. (also our safari operator in Tanzania automatically adds Flying Doctors which was $50 as I recall. It was mandatory apparently).

At this point, I don't think you'd be covered for "known events" such as the ash cloud unless you buy cancel for any reason insurance which is more expensive, has a deductible and may impose a cancel by date.

You buy insurance as a "hedge" against losses you can not afford to loose. I don't insure my luggage (or the trip), I do insure for emergency medical evacuation.

regards - tom

We have never bought insurance before, including our [very costly] trip to Egypt a few years ago (Elizabeth, can you believe it's been almost two years already????). However, now we will, at least medical evacuation. Why? My BIL and SIL went to the Amazon, my BIL threw out his back, he had to be carted off the ship and to some small town, helicoptered to someplace with a real airport and flown back to LA in first class (because he had to be lying down). I realize it's anecdotal, but it's enough for me! Whether I'll actually buy insurance to cover the trip cancellation itself, I haven't decided -- but probably when it comes to big trips, like the one we're planning to SE Asia come winter.

This has been discussed endlessly on the boards, so you will find lots of information. To repeat what I've posted elsewhere - we have an annual policy with MedJet Assist for medical evacuation. I believe it has the most generous coverage for that purpose. You can also insure only one trip through them. I get a discounted rate through AARP.

http://specialadvertising.aarp.org/L...embership.aspx

<i>Special AARP Rates (up to age 75):
Annual Membership: $205 (normally $250)
Annual Family Membership: $315 (normally $385)
Short Term Membership (covers one trip): Starting at $75 </i>

We insured our most recent trip to Africa with Campbell Irvine Direct in the UK. Even though we live in the US, their insurance was the most economical and offered the most generous coverage of any I investigated. The premium payment was $524 for the two of us. This covered 24 days with a cancellation reimbursement of $18,000.

http://www.campbellirvine.com/

Thanks to all of you for your responses and advice/information.

Elizabeth_S: your first response was the same thing I thought of as I typed the question!

Guess I need to do more research.

Ugh! Sure will be happy when all is done and I can just kick back and not have to worry about anything except what to pack!