Summer is on the way and thoughts turn to white sand beaches, fresh mountain air, theme parks and family trips to visit relatives abroad. Whether you are planning a weekend break to Mexico, a week-long hiking vacation in the Canadian Rockies, two weeks on a Maldives beach or one month trekking the Andes, international travel insurance should be on your packing list. Visitor insurance makes a wise investment wherever you are going, and for however long you are visiting for.

Taking a look at the following questions, answer them to find out if travel insurance is the right choice for you:

1. Can you afford to lose the money you have invested in your trip (on hotel deposits, flights, excursions etc) if something goes wrong and you can’t take your trip as planned? Do you want to pay to book a new vacation while you are still paying for the cancelled one?

2. Could you afford to fly home early if there was an emergency at your destination such as a natural disaster, or you fell ill?

3. Does your regular health insurance plan cover you if you fall ill or are injured abroad? Does it provide cover for all the medical emergencies you could experience while traveling overseas?

4. Can you afford to buy a new digital camera, a new MP3 player, and a laptop? Can you afford to replace the money you lose if your wallet is stolen?

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions then visitor insurance is a good investment for you. If you can’t afford travel insurance you can’t afford to travel, the old saying goes. For a small amount of money you can buy yourself peace of mind.