Going to Italy for the first time. Do you usually buy trip insurance? I have NO experience with this!

Every trip out of the US I buy insurance and it has paid off. Illness, lost luggage, closed airports, auto insurance etc, etc. I use CSA. They found a suitcase that Alitalia gave up on.

You are going to get a RAFT of replies to this, and some may not be at all applicable, and it gets confusing.

There are TWO kinds of insurance -- one is TRIP insurance, and the other is MEDICAL TRAVEL Insurance.

The first insures for medical mishaps on your journey, and ALSO against the possibility of having to cancel the trip due to illness or injury. This kind is much more costlly, and makes sense mainly if you have paid up front for an expensive group tour or cruise, and also if you or your spouse/travel partner have ongoing health issues. This type of policy is understandably costly -- a % of your trip price.

The second insures only against injury or illness that occurs during the trip. It can also cover costs of gettng you back home if you are hit by a scooter and are in a full-body cast! If you are still employed, and your health insurance covers you on travel abroad, this medical travel insurance is not necessary. If you are retired, your Medicare doesn't cover abroad, and neither do most "Medigap" policies.

If you have signed a contract for a $$$ trip,and are not youthful, the former may be worth considering. If you are doing independent travel and only have your RT airfare paid "up front," the latter offers peace of mind.

Insuremytrip(dot)com is a good place to compare policies. FOr Med-trip insurance only, to get the lowest quote, when you see the online form, leave the "trip cost" and "medical cost" blank or at "0." If it seems confusing, there is a 800# answered by VERY helpful people who will walk you through the form to obtain the quotes you need.

I will now yield the floor to people who will say why they love or hate "trip insurance" -- but I'm giving you the facts to enable a decision.

PS: I got med-trip insurance for 25 days in Greece for about $30 -- and I'm a retiree.

Thank you, Ann1. CSA looks like a good co; I had read about them somewhere in this forum. I needed the words of someone with a little exprience! Glad you're around!

Nice! I'll check it out. Thanks so much; looking forward to "a raft of replies".

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Here is a very long thread posing just that question. You might glean it for info.

Wrong one, hang on, I'll try again.

I'm fighting with my computer. Type Travel Insurance yes or no into the search this forum box to get a long thread.

Thanks, all. My internet connection went down. I'll try the forum link. I appreciate all the input!