I'm totally excited about my trip to Florence. I've got a checklist of things to do, things to purchase, and even a timeline of all my flights tacked up on my cubicle. I drive to work each day listening to "Learn to Speak Italian" CDs (Non capisco!).

But even with all my preparations, stuff can still happen that I have no control over. What if the airline loses my bags? And what if my flight is delayed? What if I get sick? These questions made me decide to buy travelers insurance.

When I bought my airplane tickets I had the opportunity to buy a small travelers insurance policy. For about $50 I have $200 in baggage delay coverage (in case my bags go on a different vacation than me), and $300 in baggage coverage (my bags go on a different vacation and never come home).

My travelers insurance policy also includes $50,000 for emergency medical transportation and $10,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage (I'm klutzy so a little medical coverage can't hurt.)

I'll also have trip cancellation protection and trip interruption coverage up to the cost of my tickets included in my travelers insurance policy. Since I am staying with my friend I won't have to pay for a hotel, but there are travelers insurance policies which will cover hotels, cruises and much more.

There are some activities and emergencies that travelers insurance won't cover:

• High-risk activities (e.g. rock climbing, kick boxing)

• Change of mind cancellations

• Riots/civil disobedience

• War

• Nuclear reactions

Some travelers insurance policies will cover terrorist acts or labor unrest and strikes, so it is important to check your policy. And should you just change your mind at the last minute, basic travelers insurance will not cover you. You can get a travelers insurance policy that includes cancellations for any reason, but they usually cost more--anywhere from 4% to 8% according to the US Travel Insurance Association.

Since I bought travelers insurance, as I hobble around the office breaking-in my new walking shoes (which I had to get since Florence is nothing but cobblestones) I have the peace of mind that should I trip on those Florentine cobbles, I'll be able to get my ankle looked at.

For more information on travelers insurance check out the InsWeb Learning Center.

Dream Vacation: La Dolce Vita on a Budget

Watch Where you Walk in Florence