Got an international trip coming up? Lucky you! Whether it's a mission trip to Guatemala or a luxury vacation in Italy, travel overseas is one of the most wonderful experiences money can buy. But if something goes wrong, you don't want to lose your travel investment. That's why you should think about purchasing l travel insurance for your international trip.

Here are the three things travelers need to know before they buy a travel insurance plan.

1. International travel isn't as simple as it appears.

International travel feels so easy now. Remember the days of travelers' checks and staggering long-distance phone bills? Now you can use your credit card and your cell phone almost anywhere you go. You almost forget you're in a foreign country - until you're faced with an emergency.

Then, you may find out that your regular insurance won't cover medical care overseas, or that you have no idea what to do when your passport is stolen. That's why travel insurance is so important - especially a plan that covers unexpected emergencies like lost baggage, accidents, trip interruptions, and trip cancellations.

2. Travel insurance balances the risks of traveling overseas.

The whole reason we travel abroad is to try new things, whether that's SCUBA diving off the Great Barrier Reef or eating pad thai in Bangkok. The more adventurous your vacation, the more likely it is that you'll have to deal with an unexpected emergency.

But the last thing you want to do is spend your vacation worrying about the what-ifs. Look for an international travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage, trip interruption coverage, emergency medical evacuation coverage, 24/7 travel assistance services and more.

3. With travel insurance, you have someone on your side in an emergency.

Experienced travelers know how frustrating it can be to try to solve problems in a foreign country. If you don't speak the language, it can be almost impossible to explain to police that your debit card was stolen, or get an airline clerk to reschedule your cancelled flight.

That's when a travel insurance policy with a 24-hour hotline service can help. No matter where you are in the world, you can speak with a multilingual specialist who can offer guidance in almost any situation, from locating lost baggage to getting emergency medical care. Just make sure you review your travel insurance plan carefully before you buy, because not all plans offer the same coverage.

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