My current setup usually works. I make it a point to have my emails on my own domain. I use Google Apps and then use my own IMAP backup app (http://thehorcrux.

My current setup usually works. I make it a point to have my emails on my own domain. I use Google Apps and then use my own IMAP backup app (http://thehorcrux.com/ http://thehorcrux.com/). In case something goes wrong, I intend to move providers and restore the emails back. There are also a few command line tools like http://gmvault.org/ http://gmvault.org/ if you love tinkering.