Travel insurance, yes, no, where to get

[bgreed]

This may sound pretty stupid for someone who haas already made a couple of trips, but how do guys/gals fell about purchasing travel insurance.  I have never used it and when I told afriend of mine he thought I was nuts.  So what do you think?  And if yes where do you purchase it?

[ConnerVT]

I've never considered travel insurance a 'must have' for trips to the FSU.  Most insurance packages are geared towards those heading on a vacation holiday -- something most people who post here aren't doing.

As I know it, the insurance covers things like being unable to make your trip as planned due to illness, injury, etc; having your plans changed due to weather (hurricanes, for example); for cruises that get canceled/terminated due to equipment failures, etc.  None of this seems very useful to the FSU traveler.

If you are talking about health and life insurance, well, the former won't help you very much, and for the later, you can always list me as your beneficiary...   

[Todd]

I wouldn't recommend it myself as insurance should be used in cases where the loss will have an impact on you.
With that said, if you do decide to get insurance, make sure you read the terms of the insurance and know what is and what isn't covered as you don't want to be surprised.

[Kuna]

Have a look at WorldCare.com.au. I think you can use them even if you're not resident in Australia. 

Comprehensive coverage is fairly inexpensive and in my opinion good value for piece of mind.

[BC]

I don't know about the US, but in Europe most automobile clubs have excellent travel health insurance at a very reasonable price.

The one I use:
http://www.adac.de/mitgliedschaft_leistungen/ambulanceservice/english/default.asp

[Bruno]

I don't know about the US, but in Europe most automobile clubs have excellent travel health insurance at a very reasonable price.

Here in Belgium, the social security give a Eurocross card ( called "world Assistance card" ) for free...

- Reimbursement of medical expenses for emergency treatment when abroad :
Covers medical consultations, hospitalisation, medication, ambulance etc (restricted to 25,000 euros for countries outside the European Union).
- Repatriation in medical emergencies or in case of decease

I have use it one time in Russia... simply fax the "apoteek" bill and doctor bill... 5 days after, the money was on my bank account... Beware, social security is not free in Belgium, we pay the big amount of 50 euro by year 

PS: for USA citenzen, try http://www.worldnomads.com/pricesandbenefits.aspx?Country=USA