# What is travel insurance and where would I get it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559 "2005-05-05T17:40:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/1 "2005-05-05T17:40:33Z")
First off, I don’t mean “trip cancellation insurance”. I know what that is. I’m looking at [this tour website](http://www.trekamerica.com/insurance.html), and they say: > [@](#): > > Before you join your TrekAmerica tour you MUST be covered by insurance that includes adequate coverage for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue to travel. This company is mainly aimed at foreign travelers in the US, and I’m not sure whether I would need this at all. In daily life, I have renter’s insurance and medical insurance, which cover all of my insurance needs. Does this give me something else? And if you do need travel insurance, where would you get it? I assume buying from the tour company is the worst possible place. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/2 "2005-05-05T17:58:27Z")
I was looking into this exact thing an hour ago. I found a place that sells what it sounds like you need - seems pretty cheap. [http://www.medexassist.com/](http://www.medexassist.com/) Click on “Individuals” and you can see the types of plans. I have no idea as to the reliability or trustworthiness of MEDEX - I just found them by doing a search. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/3 "2005-05-05T18:27:12Z")
If you pay for the trip using a credit card, check with the issuing company to see if trip insurance is provided as one of the card benefits. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/4 "2005-05-05T20:13:17Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > First off, I don’t mean “trip cancellation insurance”. Airlines/Airports used to sell ‘travel insurance’ to cover loss of life or limb while travelling on a scheduled airline. Most personal insurance policies did/do not cover accidental bodily loss on public conveyances. ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/5 "2005-05-05T20:50:36Z")
In addition to the suggestions already made, you can generally buy trip insurance from the outfit (travel agency, auto club, etc.) that sold you your travel package. At least that was the case every I’ve booked a package. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/6 "2005-05-05T21:40:24Z")
I’m willing to bet that since you’re a native, you won’t need insurance. You certainly won’t need to be repatriated. I just had a look at their site, and Americans are disqualified from most of their policy provisions (medical expenses and liability). Just to be safe, call them and ask. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/7 "2005-05-05T22:34:36Z")
In addition to all the above, if you are taking a cruise you can purchase insurance to cover helicopter airlift in case of medical emergency at sea. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/8 "2005-05-06T01:59:54Z")
Thanks all. I checked out the site **missbunny** gave, and they seem like just the place to buy it. Their rates are way more reasonable than the tour companies, at least for a shorter trip. But considering none of their products seem to apply in this situation, it seems like I wouldn’t need it at all. I did shoot them an e-mail just in case. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/9 "2005-05-06T11:22:29Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > Thanks all. I checked out the site **missbunny** gave, and they seem like just the place to buy it. Their rates are way more reasonable than the tour companies, at least for a shorter trip. > > But considering none of their products seem to apply in this situation, it seems like I wouldn’t need it at all. I did shoot them an e-mail just in case. When I traveled to Europe.I took the insurance,it made my trip more secure;it took care of me should I have an accident, my tickets were lost or stolen, If my plane was not availabe or if I chosed to return before time. I know a lady who couldn’t get her ticket money back,if she had insurance it would have paid her way back They also transpot you body if somethig should happen to you while you are abroad,the peace of mind was well wothr th $60 then. Monavis ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Violaceous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/10 "2005-05-06T12:53:47Z")
My Canadian friends buy travel insurance before they come over because they are accustomed to state-funded healthcare which won’t cover them if they get injured across the border. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-travel-insurance-and-where-would-i-get-it/302559/11 "2005-05-06T13:09:04Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > Thanks all. I checked out the site **missbunny** gave, and they seem like just the place to buy it. Their rates are way more reasonable than the tour companies, at least for a shorter trip. > > But considering none of their products seem to apply in this situation, it seems like I wouldn’t need it at all. I did shoot them an e-mail just in case. I thought they did have plans that offered medical insurance and repatriation - no? I didn’t notice anything about baggage; not even sure what that means - is it in case your baggage gets lost?