Travel insurance is almost mandatory in today's climate. Medical bills can soar, costly equipment and baggage can get lost or stolen, and travel arrangements can get altered or cancelled without sufficient notice.

CGU Travel Insurance has developed a comprehensive policy to cover a traveler for almost any mishap that could occur during a trip to Australia; the company also provides access to their 24-hour, Worldwide Emergency Hotline. For a week?s Doubles Cover, there is a total premium of AUD$108.80; the coverage includes Additional Expenses ($20,000); Return of Hire Car and Excess Waiver, Cancellation Fees (whatever it costs); Luggage and Travel Documents ($5,000); Accidental Death and Disability ($20,000); and Liability ($1 Million). For further details, log on to http://www.cgu.com.au.

Worldcare Travel Insurance offers widespread benefits at economical rates. For a week?s Doubles Cover, there is a total premium of AUD$73, which includes Cancellation Fees and Lost Deposits, Additional Expenses, Accidental Death, Luggage and Personal Effects, Travel Delay Allowance, Personal Liability, Rental Vehicle, and Domestic Services. The coverage applies from when you leave your home and go directly your place of departure, and ends when you return to your home. For details, send an email to sales@worldcare.com.au or fax +61 7 3305 7028.

NRMA Travel Insurance offers a choice of coverage options for both single travelers and families. And, with a 24-hour Worldwide Emergency Hotline service, help is just a phone call away. A week?s coverage for a single traveler comes at a Premium of AUD$63.22 and includes overseas medical, dental, and associated accommodation/traveling expenses; resumption of overseas journey if you have to return to Australia; payment of hire car excess waiver; trip cancellation expenses if you are unable to travel; lost or stolen luggage and travel documents; accidental death or disability and loss of income; and legal liability for injuries to a third person or property. For further details, contact 1300-305-790.

When lodging a claim, it's necessary that the traveler inform the travel insurance firm as soon as possible and provide all the requisite information to support the claim, including original medical or police reports, declarations, receipts, valuations, or other evidence of ownership. This will help to process the claim smoothly.