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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.
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:
You’ve done your homework on your destination(s), have 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 culture by choosing similar clothing and jewelry. This can help divert unnecessary attention away from you, your family, and your wealth.
Refrain from posting or geo-tagging pictures or comments on social media while you're away. This helps reduce 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 you 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” feature on your mobile 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.
Whether you’re navigating from airports, hotels, or attractions, keep in mind the potential risks you could face while on the road outside of the country. Consider taking the following actions to decrease your risks:
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 peace of mind if 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, medical evacuation for both sickness and injuries, and offers higher benefit amounts to cover your medical expenses, which can become costly in many 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 your trip short due to covered reasons such as illness, injury, or unforeseen events like natural disasters.
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 a 24/7/365 travel assistance helpline that can offer critical help for medical and security emergencies, offer travel advice, and assist 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.
By taking these precautions and investing in a good travel insurance policy, you can plan for an exciting trip spent making memories and exploring new places with peace of mind.
Invest in comprehensive travel insurance. Take the first step to obtaining your custom travel quote by clicking the button and completing the form.
National Product Development Leader, Private Client Services
