It's the time of year for vacations, but as you pack you shorts, swimsuit, sunglasses, camera and other items, there's one thing you need to consider. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland encourages you to look into travel insurance. "Travel insurance can provide for you, obviously, protection in the event of trip cancellation, the interruption of your trip, {and} medical emergency," says Angie Barnett, President and CEO, BBB of Greater Maryland.

She also says it can be helpful if you become injured or sick in an area far away from modern medical facilities. "Boy! This is something to think if you're going to a remote country, or going to an area in which there's been civil unrest. The concept of medical emergency evacuation," Barnett says. "And then, of course, there's the simple thing such as a baggage loss."

But she reminds you to look over your homeowner's and medical insurance policies to see if they can provide similar protection if you travel. "Go check your homeowners or your medical insurance policies to see if there's anything those current policies offer when you are traveling," says Barnett. She says your homeowners insurance may cover valuables that have been lost or stolen during a trip, such as digital cameras, camcorders, laptops and jewelry.

However, having travel insurance is only good when you purchase it before you leave. "If you buy your travel insurance after the hurricane hits, it's not going to help," Barnett says. "So you got to make sure that if you are considering it, you got to get it as quickly as possible."

And don't feel pressured to buy it, she says. This will give you some time to look over a policy to prevent any duplication. "You don't want to have that emotional pull of having to make a decision right then if you're not well informed," says Barnett.

Travel insurance can be purchased from many carriers who provide homeowners insurance. Check out the BBB website (http://greatermd.bbb.org) to see if there have been any complaints about a insurance company you're considering.

BBB also reminds you to make a checklist of everything you take along on your trip in case they're lost or stolen; and always pay with a credit card when making a purchase out of town in case there's a disputed charge.