Ngaire has a section on trip insurane on her website. You can use Travel Ex or any other company you want. You don't have to pay for the travel insurance from RSSC until the final payments are due. You do have to pay for the insurance from the other companies when you book if you want pre-existing condition coverage. We've used both depending on the cost of the trip. There is also coverage you can buy that covers all your travel for a full year.