March 6, 2007There's  nothing like the feeling of excitement when you're going on an overseas  vacation. The red X's on the calendar boldly show the countdown to your  trip. Your bags are packed, your tickets are ready, your passport is  ready for its stamp, and before you know it, you'll be on your way! But  what happens when you get to your destination and the unthinkable  happens? What if weather makes your trip too treacherous to chance? You  end up getting sick? You get pulled over or your baggage is lost?  Insurance.com has a few suggestions as to what you can do to make your  trip as smooth as possible, even when the unthinkable happens.

What to check before you leave:

Health Insurance: In most cases, health insurance plans do not extend outside of the  United States, so it is a good idea to check with your insurance  provider and see exactly what your coverage entails.

Car Insurance: If you are going to be renting a car  and driving when you go overseas, it is a smart idea to apply for an  international driver's license. Be sure to read up on the rules for  driving in the country you are going to, because they may differ from  the driving laws here in the United States. Lastly, be sure you have  adequate car insurance before you leave. Because unless you have a true  umbrella policy which covers you worldwide, your personal car insurance  policy will not cover you if you are out of the United States. You can  do this by contacting your auto insurance company or agent before you  leave. If you'd like to learn more about driving overseas or to get  information on an international driver's license or traveler's  insurance, log on to the AAA website, which offers answers and insights on what you may need when traveling overseas.

Lost Luggage Insurance: Lost luggage insurance is  something that would be a good idea to check up on before you leave on  your overseas vacation. Though homeowners insurance policies cover  theft or destruction of personal property, they only cover the items  that are listed in the actual policy. With lost luggage insurance, you  get the added protection of knowing that if your bags are lost during  your vacation, their contents will be covered.

Trip Interruption Insurance: There's nothing worse  than being excited and ready to go on a trip, then it being canceled  due to conditions that are out of your control. A newer kind of  insurance called "trip interruption insurance" is now available that  may help cover all, or part of the expenses you paid in the event the  trip is canceled. Examples include if a cruise line you booked on goes  out of business before your departure date, or if inclement weather  causes a cancellation you will be reimbursed. Another perk of trip  interruption insurance is that in some cases, if you must cancel the  trip due to sickness or death in the family, you may be covered for the  flight and hotel costs.

What's in an overseas insurance pack?

Many  insurance companies offer full-overseas insurance packs for the  overseas travelers, beginning with a possible seven-day coverage that  costs less than $50 per person. Age, number of people in your party,  and how long you plan on staying at your destination determines the  reimbursement price. Packages generally include:

• Emergency medical evacuation
• Emergency medical and dental
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Repatriation of remains
• Visitor to bedside and return of dependent children
• Pre-existing condition waiver
• Lost/damaged baggage
• Rental car protection
• Trip cancellation/delay/interruption/default

Insurance.com overseas travel tips

• Do not leave your money in bags you check. Be sure to keep cash,  travelers checks, travel documents, valuables and jewelry in your  carry-on
• Add something to your suitcase that makes it easily  identifiable-tie a brightly colored ribbon to the handle or mark an "X"  on it with duct tape. This will make it easier to identify in the event  your luggage is lost
• Choose a rental car that has a trunk-hatchbacks are a homing beacon for thieves
• Drink bottled water instead of tap. Though many places have  filtered water now, it may still make you ill, which can potentially  ruin your vacation
• Phrase books definitely come in handy when going to a country where  the predominant language is one you aren't familiar with. The book may  also save you a lot of time and headaches when someone actually knows  what you're trying to ask for
• Travel in the off-season. To save the most money and find the best  deals, it's a good idea to plan ahead and look to traveling to your  destination at a time that not everyone and their mother is going.

Whether you're preparing for that romantic getaway, an action-packed  adventure, or just a trip to new overseas destination, Insurance.com is  here to help. If you are interested in receiving a travel insurance  quote, log on to Insuremetoo.com.  Here you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class  travel insurance providers - helping you find the best travel insurance  coverage to protect you in your overseas travels.