How to Travel Safely and Confidently

Travel Tips and Advice for Frequent Travelers

While planning your luxury travels to exotic locations in the U.S. or abroad can be thrilling and exciting, it's important to recognize that you may face certain risks during your trip. This may include safety concerns due to language barriers, cultural differences, weather, or political challenges, as well as limitations to medical care at your destination(s) if you’re not prepared. 

That’s why we’ve compiled the following travel tips and advice to help you travel safely and confidently wherever you go.

Before you leave (to consider as soon as possible)

Depending on your destination(s), you should research and educate yourself about the risks you could encounter there. These handy tips can help protect your health and safety ahead of time:

• Find out what the potential health risks and vaccination requirements are for your destination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide recommendations for vaccinations and other travel health precautions for most places around the world.

• Sign up for the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Once you provide your travel plans, the State Department can help you in an emergency and contact you if there is a crisis in the country to which you are traveling.

• Make sure you understand the most recent travel requirements and documents you may need for your destination. There are many web-based resources that can help you get organized. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs, as well as with your destination's conditions that could impact your health, such as high altitude, pollution, and types of medical facilities available.

• Make copies of important documents, including your passport, driver’s license, visa, and travel itinerary, and leave with a trusted friend or family member prior to departing. If something happens to your documents while you’re traveling, you’ll be able to get copies with a quick phone call.

• Contact your bank and credit card companies to make sure they know where you are traveling to and when. Credit card companies can also expand coverage and services for overseas travel to minimize foreign service fees. Make sure your credit card is accepted at your travel destination. 

• Confirm whether your auto and liability insurance will cover you overseas if you plan to rent a car. Talk to your auto insurance advisor about how your personal insurance will respond if you are in an accident, or if you need to purchase extra coverage through any rental agencies. 

• Create a list of emergency phone numbers in a separate place from your credit cards. Include information for these contacts:
  • U.S. embassy or consulate in every country you will be visiting in case you lose your passport.
  • Emergency numbers for reaching your bank and credit card issuer from wherever you will be. Note that U.S. toll-free numbers may not work from abroad.

• Review your current health insurance plan to determine how and if it provides coverage while you’re traveling. Also review your destination country’s medical care and policies. 

• Provide a detailed travel itinerary to a family member or friend‒in case you lose connections, someone will know approximately where you may be to track your whereabouts.

• Consider investing in a travel insurance plan that includes medical care coverage, especially if your current health plan limits coverage out of state or country.

While at your destination

You’ve done your homework on your destination(s), kept up to date on all the latest news, and have fulfilled vaccine and other requirements. Once you reach your destination, it’s important to be mindful of the following: 

• Be cautious about private conversations. Some foreign security services may screen incoming visitors. Also, refrain from speaking negatively about a country’s government and its leaders as this is against the law in many countries.

• Try to blend in with the local citizens by choosing similar clothing and jewelry. This can help draw unnecessary attention to yourself, your family, and your wealth.

• Refrain from posting or geo-tagging pictures or comments on social media while you're away. This helps prevent burglars from knowing you're not at home and reduces the risk of theft while you’re away. 

• Protect your passport. Carry it in an inside, front pocket, preferably in a pouch hidden in your clothes or with a zipper close. 

• Always keep at least one form of payment and identification on your person, in a hidden pocket inside your clothing.

• Consider carrying an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) wallet, which prevents a thief from scanning the data contained in your wallet. It can keep your credit cards and identity safe. 

• Activate your “in case of emergency” on your mobile phone. This feature stays outside the locked portion of your cell phone. Add a list of emergency contacts and medical information, such as allergies to certain medications. This will help emergency responders if something happens to you, and you are unable to communicate. 

On the road

Whether you’re navigating from airports, hotels, or attractions, you need to keep in mind the potential risks you could face while on the road outside of the U.S.:

• Familiarize yourself with the local rules of the road and signs in the country you are vacationing. Road maintenance, speed, and other traffic signs may vary and may not be as enforced as they are in the U.S. The U.S. Department of State can be a valuable resource for driving and road safety abroad. 

• Only use authorized taxi services to avoid potential risks such as robbery or kidnapping. Verify the taxi service used in the area you're visiting.

• Only rent a car if you’re familiar w/the area. Navigating a foreign country can be challenging, especially when driving. 

• If you are stopped for a traffic violation, ask to call the local consulate or embassy. Sometimes these stops are scams. If the authority insists on a payment immediately, make sure you get a proper receipt.

• When renting a vehicle, make sure the vehicle is in good working order with a proper spare tire. Be sure to ask the rental agent for the emergency number for the local police as a precaution in case of an accident or if you get lost. 

• Avoid driving too closely to other vehicles. In some countries, criminals create intentional accidents to commit additional crimes, including robberies and kidnapping.

• Be aware that many countries do not have roadside assistance services, so having a spare tire and other parts on hand could be valuable if you’re in an accident or experience mechanical issues. 

• If you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time driving throughout and touring countries, you may consider purchasing a portable dashcam, which could record any suspected intentional accident or theft.

• Always try to park your car near well-lit areas and/or entrances.

At your hotel, resort, or other accommodations (including cruise ship)

• Make sure the desk clerk doesn’t say your room or cabin number aloud. If they do, consider asking for an alternative room as a precaution.

• If traveling alone, always ask for two room keys to give the impression you are not alone.

• When you get to your room, check to make sure all the windows and door locks are functioning.

• Know where emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and alarms (and if on a cruise, life preservers) are located.

• Place valuables in your room safe.

• Always use the deadbolts and locks on your doors. Double check how windows open and lock.

• Consider traveling with a lightweight, TSA-approved door stopper or portable travel door lock to prevent potential break-ins.

Assess Your Travel Risks

Use our handy, interactive risk assessment tool to evaluate your risks and determine your need for travel insurance.

Protect your travel lifestyle with travel insurance.

Travel planners and financial experts often recommend frequent travelers consider investing in travel insurance to help protect their traveling lifestyle. 

Travel insurance is a type of insurance coverage that provides financial protection and assistance in case of unexpected events, mishaps, or emergencies that may occur. It provides travelers with peace of mind in case you become seriously ill, are involved in an accident, need emergency evacuation due to safety concerns, or lose your passport, luggage, or other important valuables.

When looking for a travel insurance policy, there are many benefits and other factors to compare and consider, including:

• Medical coverage. Find a travel insurance plan that includes coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and medical evacuation for both sickness and injuries and offers higher benefit amounts to cover your medical expenses, which can become costly in many overseas countries. In addition, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, make sure the policy covers them. Some policies may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, while others may offer coverage with certain conditions or additional premiums.

• Evacuation assistance services. What if you found yourself in the middle of political or civil unrest or a natural disaster happened, and your safety was compromised? Make sure the travel insurance policy includes coverage for air and ground transportation for medical, weather-related, and safety concerns.

• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delays. This coverage reimburses you for non-refundable expenses, including airline and cruise fees if you must cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons such as illness, injury, or unforeseen events like natural disasters. While some travel providers, such as airlines, cruise partners, and others typically offer add-on options for refunds and reimbursements, they often don’t provide enough to cover all the costs of your trip, including meals, accommodations, and transportation.

• Lost luggage and other personal items coverage. This coverage protects your personal belongings in case they are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip. It typically includes coverage for luggage, electronics, and other valuable items.

• Emergency assistance services. Make sure your coverage includes access to 365/24/7 assistance with a toll-free helpline staffed by live agents who can help you during medical emergencies, offer travel advice, and provide assistance with lost documents or other travel issues.

• Coverage for unique adventures and activities. If your travels will include hiking, skiing, scuba diving, or other adventure excursions, ensure that your policy covers these activities. Some insurance policies may exclude or limit certain high-risk activities.

• Per-trip or annual policy. Depending on your travel plans—whether you plan to take multiple trips a year or just one big trip—you should consider a provider that offers the flexibility to choose which type of policy would work best for your needs.

Once you’ve determined which insurance program features the best mix of travel benefits for you, be sure to review the following before purchasing the policy:

• Policy exclusions and limitations: Carefully review the policy's fine print, including exclusions and limitations, to understand what is not covered. Common exclusions include acts of war, self-inflicted injuries, and participation in illegal activities.

• Policy limits and deductibles: Check the policy limits to make sure they offer enough protection to cover your potential expenses. Also, consider the deductible amount, which is the portion of the claim you are responsible for paying out of pocket.

• Insurance provider reputation: Research the insurance provider’s ratings and reputation. Typically, you want to choose a provider who holds an A.M. Best rating of A- or higher, which shows overall stability in the market and ability to pay claims.

• Customer reviews: Read customer reviews to evaluate the insurance company’s reliability and track record for positive customer service, prompt claims processing, and outstanding customer support.

• Rates: Compare the rates to other policies to make sure the one you choose is comparable to others and meets your needs and budget.

By taking these precautions and investing in a good travel insurance policy with medical coverage, you can plan for an exciting trip spent making memories and exploring new places with peace of mind! Bon voyage!

Contact Marsh McLennan Agency Private Client Services if you would like a complimentary review of your travel insurance or other lifestyle needs.