Companies in Asia have gotten more cost-conscious since area economies began crashing in 1997, so they're buying more travel insurance. So chances are, you may find yourself buying a policy sometime. You can also buy online. And a few companies offer discounts for younger travelers. Pre-existing conditions, the companies say, are often the cause of trip cancellations.
Most policies now accept pre-existing conditions for medical coverage, too.
These days, trip cancellation policies will also reimburse you if you can't catch the boat because of a fire at your home, a pilots' strike or even a call for jury duty. Simply pay for the trip with a credit card, and if your travel agent absconds, get the credit-card company to remove the charge from your account. Credit cards also often provide 24-hour hotlines in case of medical emergencies, although they won't pay if you need to be evacuated from the boondocks in a hurry. The cards also provide life insurance in case your plane goes down, and occasionally other coverage. Check with your credit-card company on what kind of coverage it provides.