A reader from Bellingham, Washington asks “Should I get travel insurance for my upcoming safari vacation?”

For big trips like safaris, when you spend a lot, insurance can be a good idea. And when you get insurance, make sure it’s from an independent company, not the travel company you bought your vacation from.

Among the companies offering comprehensive insurance are Travel Guard, Travelex, Access America, and Travelsafe. To compare different insurance policies, try http://insuremytrip.com and http://tripinsurancestore.com .

And remember, even if you have health insurance, it probably won’t cover you when you’re abroad. So for extra peace of mind, consider medical evacuation insurance from companies like Medjet Assist, Air Ambulance, or International SOS. That way, if you do get …

If you’re constantly the victim of lost luggage when traveling, there is new hope for you. Services like Boomerang It and Track It Back allow passengers to avoid putting their contact information on their luggage, instead providing general tags for individual items like laptops, as well as entire suitcases stamped with a toll-free number and website.

That way, anyone — from baggage handlers to Good Samaritans — can simply call or gone online and let the service pick up your bag and bring it home to you. On TrackItBack.com, you also have the option of offering a reward. BoomerangIt.com will allow you to make a complete online list of your possessions, which can then be easily sent …