International travel insurance is one of the most popular types of travel insurance to buy. Some travelers don’t think it is essential to have extensive coverage during domestic travel, as many health insurance policies will cover emergencies throughout the US, but once they cross the border, insurance becomes more important. If you don’t already have annual travel insurance or a family travel insurance plan, you might want to look into overseas travel insurance for an individual trip. Knowing you are covered in case of an emergency might help you to enjoy your overseas adventure even more.

Before researching international travel insurance, the first step is to identify what type of insurance you already have. Some people are surprised to learn what the fine print of their health insurance policies says. Some policies include emergency medical attention while traveling abroad, especially if the trip lasts 30 days or less, while others do not offer coverage outside of the country. Another avenue to pursue is your credit cards. Some cards offer incentives to pay for a trip with their card, including lost baggage insurance, and sometimes even trip cancellation insurance.

After you know what type of coverage you have, the next step is to compare overseas travel insurance. Some travelers compare based on the type of trip—are you going on a city break in Europe or a safari in Africa? Different types of trip can often call for different types of insurance. There are many ways to choose the most appropriate policy for you, based on your destination, the length of your trip, and who is traveling. Side-by-side comparisons of plans is the best way to know you’re getting the most value for your money, so be sure to read the fine print.

There are a few things to look out for when purchasing international travel insurance. Basic coverage should include medical coverage, trip interruption, emergency travel services, and lost baggage. There are also much more intricate plans which you may want to consider depending on where you are traveling. If you’re traveling with your family, you may want to consider family travel insurance, which might save you significant money as opposed to paying for each family member individually. Once you have all the information, you can make an educated decision on what type of policy is the best fit.

While traveling internationally has its exhilarating moments, there are also certain risks involved. Food poisoning is much more likely to occur abroad, and many people have bad reactions to local water. Overseas travel insurance will cover you for all these basic occurrences and more. Anyone who has gotten food poisoning while traveling abroad and hesitated to call a doctor or get medicine as a result of not having travel insurance instantly wishes they had planned ahead before departure. Don’t take any chances when it comes to your health, purchase travel insurance before your plane leaves the ground.