For starters, it ain't what pops into your mind first-thing when you start pondering your trip. If someone asks, "How's your trip plans coming along?" you don't tend to hear anyone say, "I'm stuck between the $100 and $250 deductible!" (Well, we certainly haven't; Ant and Chris alone tend to start their itineraries by examining pubs per capita.)

Really, travel insurance shouldn't be your first concern, because you're figuring out the exciting parts, the where you want to go and what you want to do. That's what psyches you up about travel in the first place. As you plan and as that leaving date gets closer and closer though, travel insurance is something to think about getting. But what is it?

Travel insurance provides international health/medical coverage, should something happen to you abroad. And that could be injuries like busting your head rock-climbing, or a case of Delhi-belly that takes a really, really bad turn for the worse. It's also coverage for legal fees, or if your stuff gets stolen.

Travel insurance is something that hopefully you'll never need to use, but if you do, you'll be bloody glad you got it.

Travel insurance

• Gives you coverage abroad. The domestic plan you have at home doesn't always apply for international trips. If you have a policy, look it over or talk to your agent; homeowners, double-check your policies because sometimes you do get international provisions.

• Spreads the risk. We Boots guys talked about this a lot when we started talking about having insurance packages on the site. If you don't have travel insurance, you basically say that you will pay and/or make arrangements to pay for any expenses that happen if you get hurt or have to be evacuated, have legal fees, or something like that. If you're flush with cash that could work, but if you aren't you could be flushing some serious dosh. Spending a couple hundred could save you tens of thousands, should something unfortunate happen to you.

• Increases peace of mind. Yeah, we're independent travelers. We do things our way, and that involves taking risks. We accept that, or we wouldn't do it. But it's also important to cover your tail. If you break your leg trekking through Nepal, or all your stuff is stolen from the hostel in Dublin, having travel insurance means that it will be easier for you to take care of these things and get back to your trip.

• Means no worries. And that's what it's all about, because if you don't have to worry as much about something you can have taken care of up-front, then you can enjoy your trip all the more.

Have a great trip.

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  * NOTE: Actual coverage, restrictions, benefits and requirements vary by plan.