Travel insurance is optional and you should consider the pros and cons carefully. In doing so, you should be aware that all travel involves inconveniences. Travel insurance does not cover you for these. Travel also involves unpredictable changes in circumstances that sometimes require schedule and itinerary changes and additional costs associated with these. For example, weather conditions, including snow, high wind and volcanoes can impact airline flight schedules. Mechanical failures can also precipitate schedule changes and additional charges, including occasional forced overnights. Vendors of services usually do not assume responsibility for weather conditions, but sometimes they do. Vendors usually assume responsibility for their own failures, but not always to the traveler’s satisfaction. For these occasions, travel insurance is sometimes helpful.