No one wants to think about getting sick or having an accident while they're on vacation. Unfortunately, this can happen. When it does, travel health insurance can prove to be a very beneficial buy.

Travel health insurance is a temporary policy that provides coverage to people while they're on vacation or in transit. It can work in conjunction with or independent of regular major medical coverage. This type of insurance is very commonly offered to those using a travel agent, booking a cruise or going on a package trip.

The perks of travel insurance even when major medical coverage is in place include:

* Pricing. Travel insurance is typically a very small purchase on top of trip pricing. Although the few dollars would likely be more enjoyed spent on wining and dining, if something does happen, it will be worth every penny in most cases. Typically, this coverage costs no more than a dinner out on a trip.

* Out of network coverage. While most major medical coverage plans will offer some protection anywhere in the world, under any circumstance, they won't always function at their full amounts.

For example, those who get sick on a cruise ship might find their basic co-pay plan will only cover 50 percent of a doctor's visit on board the ship or perhaps even none. The travel health insurance policy, however, will cover this and a whole lot more. Out of country travelers, too, find this coverage very beneficial for covering them when nothing else will.

* Availability. In most cases, some form of travel insurance is available to people without medical examination require. It won't cover pre-existing conditions for the most part, but it can make dealing with a crisis away from home a whole lot easier.

* Peace of mind. Just having this low-cost coverage while away from home can give vacationers a certain peace of mind. Since vacation is about relaxation, ensuring this can really help make a trip.

While travel insurance can be a huge perk for those who need it, not everyone does. People traveling in their own general regions, for example, might not require this coverage or even really benefit from it. If major medical coverage will remain in full force during the trip, there's probably no reason to go to this extra expense. Check with regular health insurance to find out, however.

If major medical coverage isn't available, a travel health insurance policy can be doubly important. The relatively low expense involved in this kind of coverage can really prove beneficial is something does go wrong.

Although this type of coverage is generally offered through a booking agent, it can be purchased by travelers on their own. A basic Internet for phone book search will typically net some great results on places to go for this type of policy.

Vacationing is about having fun, relaxing and doing new things. Unfortunately, sometimes bad things happen to travelers. When they do, travel health insurance can provide an extra level of comfort and peace of mind.