Savvy sports travelers know that the way to get the best dates, with the best outfitters at the lowest price is not looking for bargains at the sports shows but rather to be willing to commit to a trip a year or more in advance. Furthermore, if you are hunting more exotic and expensive big game like sheep or polar bear, the most reputable outfitters often host a dozen or less clients a season and you can't even reserve a spot less than two years in advance. To put down your deposit and start making payments on an expensive hunt that far in advance can be risky.

Speaking of risky; flying around in small floatplanes, being dropped off, unguided in some remote wilderness or dealing with potential medical emergencies during the course of your hunting or fishing trip; now that's serious stuff. Fortunately, in my experience, if you are working with a reputable agency or outfitter, adventure travel is no more complicated than a Myrtle Beach golf vacation. But that does not mean things can't happen beyond a client's control.

To take the worry out of advance booking and to add protection to some of the aspects of adventure travel that make it exciting, there is cancellation and travel insurance. In essence, this is a policy usually purchased over and above your hunting or fishing package that covers you up to the total cost should you have to cancel your trip for legitimate reasons. Travel insurance actually refers to a broader coverage policy that often includes treatment of medical emergencies, baggage loss and costs related to delays or travel interruptions in addition to cancellation reimbursement. Another important benefit of most policies is qualifying for reimbursement if your airline or outfitter goes out of business.

Premiums are based on the cost of the hunting or fishing package and the age of the participant. For instance if you were booking a $5,000 caribou hunt and you were 35 - 60 years old, the insurance would cost you somewhere around $225 (figure used as an example only, but its close). The same coverage if you are in your early 70's jumps to $436 and if you are just a young pup under 35, it's probably going to be less than $200. Here's a catch to be aware of; purchasing your insurance as soon as possible following your deposit on your trip usually renders a higher level of benefits. Plus, if you have pre-existing conditions you will still usually be eligible for coverage as long as you again, purchase your policy within a week or two of committing to your trip. There are also upgrades available to many policies which sometimes are real values.

Insurance is usually available through a travel agent but sometimes it may also be available direct from the outfitter. In the resort and cruise line business it is often offered as an upgrade to the trip package itself. New to the market are policies specific to hunting, fishing and related activities. Travel Guard headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin offers such coverage under the name of Sportsman's Travel Insurance Plan. Because they are specialized, these types of plans often carry unique coverage for lost, delayed or damaged equipment like guns, bows and fishing equipment.

In today's adventure travel market trip costs are on the rise due to the cost of gas, exchange rates and other issues to the extent that for many sportsmen and women, adding another couple of hundred bucks to a trip cost can sometimes push the edge of the budget envelope. Does everyone need it? Impossible to answer because that depends on how much good luck you carry in your pocket, along with your health and a whole lot of other stuff. So before you buy, here is some homework you should do that might save you some money:

First, check your existing insurance policy coverage. How many of us really know at any given time what we are covered for? You'll probably be surprised to discover that your current medical and/or homeowners plan may already offer limited coverage you when you are traveling. Secondly, check to make sure there isn't already some coverage as part of your trip package. And, although not all outfitters readily accept credit cards for trip payment many card companies offer various types of insurance as part of their policies. You may already have an array of travel insurance benefits available to you at no extra charge simply by purchasing your trip with a certain type of credit card.

Certainly however, there are individuals and situations where spending the extra money on travel insurance just makes sense. When you are booking an expensive trip a year in advance consider that almost all cancellation policies cover total trip cost reimbursement if you have to cancel do to loss of your job, death or injury to a family member and sometimes this is extended to your traveling partner's family as well. Jury duty, military service and of course personal injury or illness are typically covered.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition from a bum leg to bad asthma or if like many of us, you're just getting dog-gone older all the time, consider the "what ifs?" Some travel agencies strongly advocate buying insurance and some don't even offer it but unless you have a lot of money in the bank, were born with incredible good luck or can foretell the future; purchasing insurance just might make sense.