I read an article a few years ago about a guy on a shore excursion in like Turkey or something who tripped and hit his head. Had stitches. But then he ended up with a more extensive brain injury that required medical evac from some other far-away country. Just the medical flight was something like a quarter of a million bucks. If you look at your health insurance you'll see that often there's not coverage in other countries AND the medical transport coverage isn't all that much. Aside from the injury itself, the financial repercussions are potentially devastating to a family. It makes an unfortunate to tragic occurance even worse. So for my family, travel outside the country must include travel insurance. I buy mine from a secondary source, not Disney, because I can get better coverage for less $$. Definitely worth shopping! Also, check your credit cards. I've heard some offer travel insurance or options to buy travel insurance for reduced cost.
@sweetpee_1993 those are great points! When I buy travel insurance, I always make sure that I do have a lot of cover for the worst case scenario - like being stranded in a foreign country without being able to be transported back home. There was recently a story about a couple from the UK who travelled to New York. She was pregnant and had her baby prematurely. The baby needs to stay in the hospital in New York for 3 months. The story was about that the couple was faced with costs of 200.000 $ and problem with the travel insurance that only covered the mother, not the baby. Made me think twice about traveling while pregnant...
It is part of the attitude that many people have: "Something went wrong with my life, and now it is up to others to make it better".
Guess, what, crap happens, and sometimes it sucks. You either plan ahead for it, or deal with the outcome. That is why they invented insurance.
If something happens (someone gets sick or hurt) and you did not get trip insurance, then that is your issue to deal with.
If your car gets banged up and you decided not get get collision insurance, than that is your issue to deal with.
If your apartment gets robbed, and you did not get renters insurance, then that is your problem to deal with.
Too often people expect to be "made whole" as if the universe somehow has to be "fair". Nope, it doesn't (and very often is not). In cases of real tragedy, society does tend to pull together and help out (natural disasters, horrible accidents, etc) but for a messed up vacation - not likely.
As an aside, I carry $1,000,000 in personal liability insurance. One close call was more than enough. The $150 or so extra a year it costs me is well worth protecting me and my family from the crazy lawsuits that are out there. I am sure there are many people out there who say "$150, I'm not spending that" but all it takes is one person to slip on some ice in front of your house, or a kid to ride a bike into your mailbox, or for the UPS guy to trip going down your stairs. Then you you are looking at a lawsuit where you could loose your house, and all of a sudden you wish you had spent $150.
-dave
