A good life cannot be truly lived without risk. Traveling means taking risks ? but risks well worth the experience. Regardless, it might be a good idea to have those risks covered by a good travel insurance plan. Whether you find your plan through an agent or through the ease of the Internet, you'll want to know whether you're eligible to buy a travel insurance plan.

The most common requirement most travel insurance customers face, if they're in the U.S., is to be a citizen of the United States and sometimes Canada. Beyond that, restrictions usually apply to the number and type of people going. It's usually possible, for instance, to get a special ?family package? at a reduced rate.

Travel insurance is sometimes a requirement in and of itself for entry into some foreign countries. Without travel insurance, many countries won't even let you visit. This alone is a good reason to buy insurance ? and if you have to get it anyway, you might as well buy it from the right provider.

The most obvious requirement in travel insurance is that you pay your premium before you leave on your trip. Most providers will say this outright on their websites ? you must register for the insurance and pay off your premium. At that point, you'll be covered for the duration of your trip.

Overall, travel insurance will be available to most people, especially North Americans. It's easy to buy and, in these days of the Internet, easy to find. Neither hassle nor price is an excuse ? travel insurance is worth it for peace of mind alone.