Whether your next dream holiday is an African safari, Caribbean cruise, ski trip to the French Alps, backpacking in Thailand, sunning yourself on the beach in Barbados, or a quick budget city break, the one thing you cannot afford to skimp on is travel insurance.

If you think your holiday budget is tight now, stop for a moment to imagine what the state of your finances might be like if you left home without travel insurance and the worst happened. Suppose you contracted a tropical disease in Africa, slipped on deck or fell overboard on your cruise, got caught in a tsunami in Thailand, broke your leg skiing (or injured another skier - liability), or stepped on a stinging sea creature while paddling in tropical surf. Medical bills could leave you literally gasping in disbelief as you limp back home.

Travel insurance is one area where it is not wise to bag the cheapest policy on an internet comparison-site - or rely on the one that came free with a membership. Always delve a little deeper to ascertain the levels of cover offered with a policy. They may be adequate - but they may not.

Even the wealthiest travellers, celebrities and glitterati, take out travel insurance. They may be able to afford any unexpected costs, but most are too well advised to take such a chance.

The type of travel insurance you choose depends largely on the type of holiday, the activities you plan to participate in, and the destination. The costliest problems are usually associated with Medical Expenses, Personal Liability, and Legal Expenses. Although other aspects of insurance are important, replacing personal effects and lost luggage may be insignificant in comparison. The amount of cover for Medical Expenses and Personal Liability is usually in the millions with any policy. If you are confused or unsure about the levels of cover included, it is wise to call and obtain advice from an established company - one that you trust.

Getting injured of falling ill overseas could be potentially crippling to your long-term financial health - or put a very serious financial burden on your family. In some areas of the world, especially remote locations and island nations, you may need transfer by air to the nearest country with adequate medical facilities. One thing you can count on is that hospitals and medical facilities will not skimp when they hand over the bill for their medicine and services.

One of the most expensive scenarios might involve having a heart attack, a subsequent long-term stay in intensive care, and eventual repatriation (being transferred home) via air ambulance with a medical escort. If this happened in the U.S. the costs would be truly astronomical, potentially running into tens or hundreds of thousands.

We are talking worst-case scenarios here, and the intention is not to cause undue alarm. However, when you put the cost of your holiday package on a credit card, you know that you may still be paying for it next year. Imagine the consequences of an additional £50-100,000+ in uninsured medical costs on top of that. It would put an end to your holiday plans for many years to come. It simply is not necessary or smart to expose yourself and your family to such potential financial devastation.

If you think travel insurance is not necessary because you plan to spend all your time relaxing and sunbathing on the beach - think again! Save the skimping for your swimwear! If necessary, pay a little more for adequate insurance and buy yourself not just peace of mind, but a whole lot more cover where you may need it most!

See Also : Nuvi 1390T GPS Buy Grills