So youve planned your dream vacation. Bags are packed, itineraries are set. Theres only one last detail to arrangetravel insurance. Travel insurance is a popular option for travelers who want to protect their investment. It can protect your and your loved ones when things go wrong like your suitcases get lost, you miss your connecting flights or theres a scheduling delay. Some plans even cover you if someone in your immediate family gets ill or dies.

While travel insurance can provide assistance and protection against travel woes, its not all inclusive. Lots of circumstances are not covered by travel insurance despite how much consumers pay for the service. Whats not covered? Bad weather, like a full week of rain makes for a gloomy vacation. Youre not covered if you change your mind and decide not to take the trip. And even an unexpected circumstance like losing your job is not covered.

Travelers are also stuck without coverage when their tickets and/or itineraries fail to list specifics like dates, times and departure cities. If your cruise or tour operator cancels the trip, youre out of luckits not covered by travel insurance. Some insurance companies provide coverage if a tour provider goes bankrupt, but not all travel policies offer this assurance.

When it comes to medical issues such as pregnancy and mental health issues like depression, coverage is not an option. In cases of some pre-existing conditions, coverage usually isnt offered if the traveler has been treated for the ailment for at least 60 days (in some cases up to 180 days) prior to departure.

Emergency dental care is often not covered. And some plans won't take care of your eyeglass needs if you lose contacts or break your glasses. Some plans also don't cover you if you forget to pack or run out of your prescription medications. With many insurance policies, terrorism and war are not covered. Neither is the governments announcement that travel to a certain region is prohibited for any reason including political unrest.

One other consideration is age. Some policies limit coverage for travelers over age 75. Make sure your plan covers you and members of your family no matter what their ages. Its important to ask your insurer what your policy covers. You dont want to be surprised later. Find out if it covers accidents and medical costs. And learn if your policy has certain price caps or limitations.

When you travel, be sure to keep a copy of your insurance policy with you and keep another copy at home. Youll also need to hold onto copies of tickets, itineraries, receipts and correspondence with the travel operators. If a claim should arise, youll want to have the necessary supporting documents handy. There are lots of travel insurance companies and just as many insurance plans. Each should be evaluated individually so you can determine which has the best package and the best deal for your travel insurance coverage needs. Its always a good idea to clarify specifics like these with your insurance provider so theres no misunderstanding of coverage.