Why travel insurance, especially if you're traveling single, is something you shouldn't overlook.

No matter how hard your plan, there is always the possibility that something will come up.  Your travel dollars are an investment which you must protect.

Good coverage is a good idea for two basic reasons: (1) You may have to cancel out of a trip for a variety of reason discussed further on, (2) Something could happen while you are on your trip.  With the amount of political unrest, the financial troubles of a few major tour operators and airlines, and the prevalence of nonrefundable airline tickets, more travelers have been purchasing travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen events that may impact their holiday plans.

Top Picks:

Orbitz Travel - Leading online travel company offering single travelers a wide selection of low airfares, as well as deals on lodging, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and other travel options.

Vacations for Single Travelers at Travelocity. You can plan your trip on your own or get help and advice from one of their travel experts.

We have found that occasionally passengers are unable to take a scheduled trip due to health matters for themselves or, more often, members of their family.  cover such situations as cancellations due to terrorism, travel supplier financial failure, pre-existing conditions for family members; such as grandparents, parents, children, in-laws or a traveling companion, jury duty, quarantine, being called to active military duty, etc.   It's not 'change your mind' insurance but covers most situations that prevent you from traveling as scheduled.

A problem could also come up once you've started your trip.  Travel insurance is a good thing to have when a harmless walk through the beautiful countryside turns into a trip to the doctor, stitches, x-rays and a cast for a fractured wrist, or whatever, it's not going to cost you your entire travel budget.

In the wake of September 11th, many travelers are looking to travel insurance to safeguard their trip against any unforeseen terrorist attacks or activities at their destination.  There are several different types of travel insurance policies available, ranging from Trip Cancellation Insurance to Emergency Medical Evacuation, all of which vary widely by company in what their coverage includes and how much it costs.

Different Types of Travel Insurance:

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance - covers you if unforeseen events cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip. In general, this coverage is meant for illness, injury or death suffered by the insured or a member of the insured's immediate family.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance - covers emergency evacuation if a qualified physician determines that you must be evacuated for medical treatment to the nearest medical facility or to the United States, due to a physical injury or sickness.  Highly recommended for cruises and adventure tours.

Annual Insurance - provides benefits in the event of loss of life or limb, as well as minimums for lost luggage and treatment costs for illness or injury for incidents at least 100 miles from home.