Things happen. And that’s why I came up with a few ways you can handle an emergency on vacation, should one arise.
Set Up Travel Alerts
It’s important to stay in the know with the world’s current events before traveling. Do some research beforehand and set up travel alerts via push notifications on your phone so you get the latest updates right away. I suggest signing up for the STEP Program (aka, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), where you can enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for free. This will provide everything from safety conditions in your destination country to getting help or putting you in touch with family, should a disaster strike.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Having travel insurance will protect you from all sorts of unexpected scenarios, including medical emergencies or illness, natural disasters, trip delay or interruption, and more. Plus, it’s always nice to have that extra layer of protection so you have peace of mind on vacation. For more information on how to attain travel insurance and the coverage options available, click here.
Save Important Contacts
Before you take off for vacation, you’ll want to load any important contact information into your phone. This includes the U.S. Embassy, the 911 equivalent in your destination, and of course, how to ask for help in the area’s native language. While it may seem like overkill, it’s always a good precaution to take ahead of time, especially if you find yourself in a life-threatening situation.
Call Your Travel Providers
Sometimes, you just need to take action. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, don’t feel obligated to wait until your hotel or airline contacts you to make a change or to cancel. There could be a backlog of requests dealing with the crisis at hand, so make sure to be proactive about a situation you aren’t comfortable with. This can also include non-emergency help, where it might have to be a judgment call made at the time. If you’re already at the airport, it will be fastest to work with the airline directly to change your flights. Remember, your travel agent is also just a phone call away!
I hope these emergency travel tips are helpful and you refer to them before your next trip! To get in touch with me with any questions, you can reach me here.
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