Its not a popular topic but travel insurance should be an important part of your vacation planning. And obtaining the right travel insurance can be confusing. I would say in today's world that anyone traveling outside the USA should never leave home with out travel insurance. If I take a flight today especially outside the USA and quite often inside the USA I purchase the extra insurance and I mail the policy home before I get on the plane.

1. But its important not to leave your travel insurance to be the last thing you do. Especially if you travel a lot and if you also travel to international locations. Be sure the insurance you purchase covers you in case your flight or vacation is canceled through no fault of your own. Also be sure you are covered in case weather causes your flight or vacation to be canceled.

2. Try to purchase and keep in effect a insurance policy that will cover everything and anything about any aspect of your travel during an entire year. Not just that one trip but any trip and in the long run you will find you can purchase a cheaper insurance policy this way.

3. Be sure that you have your E111 Heath Insurance Card for international travel but be sure that you also have medical and dental insurance that will cover you for any needed expense in foreign destinations and even though it will cost you more opt for the no deductible option. This means you will not have a deductible that you are responsible for before the policy kicks in.

4. Be sure that your honest about any current medical conditions and be sure that your coverage includes any and all of your current medical conditions. If not you want to move along to a different insurance company.

5. Be sure that you have the right policy for the right type of thing you are going to be doing on your vacation. For instance if your going to be backpacking and rock climbing in Montana your going to want a insurance policy that will cover you while backpacking and rock climbing. Drill your policy down to cover you in case of any event you may be doing and read that fine print. You don't want a deductible even if you have to pay a higher premium and you want the insurance policy to be specific in what it covers.  

6. You can quite often buy for your family or a large group you may be traveling with and save money. In fact insist that you want a group rate. If the first insurance company you come to says no then just move on to the next company. Always shop around not only for the best rate but also for the best things the policy includes and covers.

7. Make sure that you know exactly what you are covered against. Don't wait until its to late and then get hit with surprises. You want no surprises so be sure to read the fine print and then read it again. If you have questions take a note pad and write down your questions. And insist on answers before you will sign anything or more important insist on all your questions being answered before you will part with any money. If you don't like what you hear move on to the next insurance company.

8. Insist on no deductible and insist on a policy that is going to cover you for the event or activity that you or your family or friends are going to be doing. Tell the insurance company up front that you are not interested in a general or one policy covers all policy because if you read the fine print you'll sadly discover often after its to late that the policy really doesn't cover all that the insurance agent claimed it did. Insist on everything being in writing and be sure to insist on no deductible.

9. This is very important. Know and understand that no insurance company is going to cover you if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If your on prescription drugs be sure that your going to still be covered under your companies insurance and be sure that you get that in writing. Remember if its not in writing it really does not exist.

10. Look for a insurance company that will cover you in case of acts of terrorism. In today's new world that is very important. And yes you can find companies that will cover you and your family in case of acts of terrorism.

And those are 10 tips that you really should pay careful attention to when purchasing travel insurance. If one insurance company won't give you what you need move on to a different company selling travel insurance. Insist on no deductible even if you do have to pay more and be sure to purchase adequate medical insurance for international travel.