I've been advised to secure travel insurance in the event of trip cancellation and/ or medical emergencies. Does anyone have any cautions? Recommendations? Credit card companies offer packages but is this the best route? Basic coverage for non- reimbursed expenses only? Thank you in advance.

I like to compare policies (and purchase) at www.insuremytrip.com.
When I've called with questions, their reps have been pleasant and helpful.

Ditto.

I use both insuremytrip.com and squaremouth.com, but whichever you use, be sure you know exactly what you want and need. Here's a thread with discussions of many of the issues and nuances:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...not-to-buy.cfm

Why do you want cancelation insurance? I use Seven Corners for medical and evacuation and repatriation.

Generally medical insurance of any type and travel insurance should be two difference policies. Need to read the fine print three times. To many time people buy travel insurance with the expectation that everything is cover when only specific items under specific conditions are covered.

I must agree that a medical insurance is quite different from a travel tax. However, I have read some insurance companies that includes medical coverage in their policy agreement. That is why it is advisable to review your insurance policy before considering it. Anyway, you may read the article below to help you select the best travel insurance.

Reference: http://www.reviews.com/travel-insurance/medical

The above advice would apply if you are from the US . Other countries have completely different types of travel insurance eg in Australia cancellation, medical, evacuation etc are included in all travel insurance policies.

In the past I purchased insurance thru insure my trip. Once with CSA and once with Allianz. I had a small claim with CSA (fractured wrist) and had no problems being reimbursed.
I had a major claim with Allianz as a result of a week of hospitalization in Spain and rebooking my return airfare.
I was blown away by the quality of their service. They paid the hospital bills while I was still hospitalized; they had a personal representative who called a number of times while in Spain keeping me informed and offering assistance with tickets etc.
I leave Monday on a trip to Ireland and again have Allianz.