We at Pacific Rim always "highly recommended and encourage" participants that travel with us to buy trip insurance and not just because you can recoup your trip costs if you are unable to go on the trip. The real value of the insurance comes into play if you are injured while traveling -- a point well noted on our Moena, Italy trip. And although this trip was a few years ago, the basics still apply today.
You can read our opinion as to why you should consider buying trip insurance. We have John's story about someone who was injured and without insurance. And finally you can read about some of the trip insurance options that are available.