I have never bought travel insurance - but I have seen it in action and it saved my folks huge. 1999 - Father - heart attack - cruise ship returning from Antartica. Got him to NZ - they took great care of him. I was in Korea - met up with Mother/father - and started making arrangments to ge them home (IAD). Doctor said he needed oxygen standing by on the flight - and should travel with a nurse. She was an international/travel nurse - only flew in F. Airline (UA) said it was the doctors call. No nurse/no seat. So, all in all the deal was close to $30k USD. Every cent was reimbursed by the travel insurance company. So, while he was probably not technically seriously ill, the doctor and the airline were calling the shots. And the shots can be expensive.

Side notes:

a. He is fine.
b. I was able to upgrade myself and mother to C (took a bit of sob story and a bunch of "upgrade coupons" I had from UA.

So, Dad's still alive and I got upgraded. Not a bad week!