Kelly advises travelers that if they think they will cancel a trip they should purchase a refundable ticket, but otherwise “more extensive travel insurance can be extraordinarily prudent and valuable” especially for expensive non-refundable trips or travel to destinations where medical care might be limited and evacuation could be required.

The bottom line, he says, consumers need to educate themselves about the product they are buying—adding there “is a lot of fine print.”

Independent agents selling travel insurance should make it a point of helping their clients understand these details, and ask some important questions about coverage. Ask how many times and where your client will travel to determine how much protection they need and for how long. The amount of coverage will also depend on the number of travelers. Knowing the location of travel also assists in evacuation if is necessary for a medical emergency. The customer should also have peace-of-mind knowing that if there is inclement weather, natural disaster or terrorist attack, the insurance should respond on some level. Customers should also have access to a 24-hour hotline for assistance, which with some coverage can include travel services such as help placing golf tee times.

One thing that agents need to make clear to clients, travel insurance is not a replacement for homeowners or healthcare insurance. Its purpose is to provide coverage where no other policies exist.