Going out of town? Trip insurance gives travelers peace of mind

WASHINGTON — Vacation plans may be in order now that temperatures have warmed and the days have become longer. But what happens if your travel plans are spoiled after you book the trip? No need to worry if you have trip insurance.

Most airlines will provide credits or vouchers if a trip is canceled, but without trip insurance, other upfront costs could be lost, including deposits made for cruises or travel and property rentals.

Trip insurance is available for individuals and in family plans, and can provide coverage if a trip is canceled for a variety of reasons, such as medical emergencies or work reasons.

Policies can cover a variety of travel-related expenses, including medical emergencies, lost luggage and even the cost of theater or other event tickets. Travel agents tend to recommend trip insurance for peace of mind.

Agents get a commission when a policy is purchased, but for some travelers, it’s still a good deal.

Experts recommend reading the fine print. The price of trip insurance can vary, but generally will cost between 5 and 10 percent of the trip cost.

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