If you are thinking of traveling without proper travel insurance coverage, than think again.

The importance of being covered for the many travel, medical and legal difficulties you may encounter while away from home cannot be over stated.

High quality travel insurance will provide essential financial protection for you in three areas.

Coverage for The Cost of Your Trip

Good travel insurance begins coverage before you ever leave home. If after paying for your flight or other transportation you are unable to make your journey most airlines will not refund your ticket purchase price. Many will not even allow you to reschedule your trip. The money you paid is simply gone.

If you have travel insurance that includes trip cancellation you may be able to get your money back if the reason for the cancellation is covered by the policy. Typically this means there must have be a family emergency, such as sickness or death, that prevents you from making your journey as scheduled. Policies vary widely so be sure you are covered for any event you deem to be at all likely.

Medical Coverage and Emergency Funding

Perhaps the most important reason for having travel insurance before going on any trip, especially one that takes you to international destinations, is to provide you with coverage should you become ill or suffer an injury.

People from many countries are accustomed to having head to toe medical insurance provided by the government. They take for granted that they will be able to see a doctor about a sprained wrist or have open heart surgery all without having to foot the bill.

But once you leave your home country it is most likely that your coverage will end.

If you become sick or are injured abroad you will be liable for all expenses incurred. And that could add up to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you do not have travel insurance medical coverage you could end up with a crushing debt or even be refused treatment on the grounds that you are unable to pay for it.

The medical coverage portion of a good travel insurance plan will also help you with emergency funding. Even if the illness or injury you suffer does not land you in the hospital for an extended period it may prevent you from returning home. If your insurance provides you with emergency funds you will be able to pay hotel bills, food and transportation costs and other expenses related to an extended stay away from home.

Protection for Your Possessions

If you are backpacking your way across Europe you may not be too worried about losing some t-shirts or a pair of jeans. But if you are travelling on business or taking a long-awaited luxury ski vacation you may well be carrying valuable objects such as a laptop computer, sports equipment, expensive clothing, diamond rings or other jewelery.

There is often plenty of confusion associated with travel and things do get mislaid or left behind. On a more sinister note, travelers often become the victims of pick pockets burglars and other thieves. If you have proper travel insurance coverage you will be reimbursed for the full value of any item that is lost or stolen.

When you are at home you wouldn’t even consider being without medical, auto and home insurance. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you need travel insurance then just think of what could happen to you at home without proper coverage and realize that you need all the same coverage and more when you are away. Don’t go cheap on travel insurance. Be sure you have the coverage you need, and then add some more.