BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING WHEN YOU TRAVEL
I just read and interesting article from the travel experts at Fodor’s. Last week, their art director found herself on the tarmac in Munich headed for Barcelona with absolutely no cash, no credit card, and no ATM card. All had been left in her camera case that was still hanging on the back of a stall in the ladies room near the departure lounge. Luckily, she arrived in Barcelona and was able to borrow money from friends while waiting for a new credit card to arrive.
But what if she had not had friends waiting for her in Barcelona? What if she's lost her passport as well? In a genuine emergency, when you have no cash or passport on hand, what would you do? It always helps to know where to turn in the event that your trip goes bad, especially when you're abroad and may not know anyone where you are traveling. Luckily, there are some simple things you can remember that can help you turn a travel disaster into something much less terrible. Take a tip from the experts with some simple steps toward safeguarding your travel plans:
1. Make copies of everything. Make color copies of your passport, credit cards and ATM card (both front and back), and your driver's license. If you lose these things, it's much easier to get them replaced if you have a good copy.
2. Know your bank's policies. Would your bank be able to mail you a replacement credit or ATM card immediately? Does it have branches or offices in the country where you'll be traveling? How about a local contact number? If not, how do you reach them?
3. Know the number and location of the nearest U.S. consulate. If you are traveling abroad, you should always have the telephone number and location of the nearest U.S. consulate, which you will have to visit in person to get a temporary replacement passport in the event that yours is lost or stolen. It's usually possible to get an emergency passport within 24 hours.
4. Get travel insurance. Insurance Services of America’s clients are provided with a 24 hour assistance help line. They can help you with an emergency cash transfer or can find the nearest consulate or an English-speaking doctor; even help you rebook flights if you miss a connection.
Some folks think they just don't need travel medical insurance. They figure they are healthy and won't need it. Unfortunately you never know what can go wrong when you travel, and when you're in a different country, small inconveniences can become tremendous problems.
When you are covered by a comprehensive travel medical plan from Insurance Services of America, in addition to being covered for medical emergencies, you'll have access to travel assistance 24 hours a day. We can help locate and return your lost checked baggage, help with cash transfers, make last minute changes to your itinerary, refer you to doctors, lawyers, aid in the replacement of lost prescriptions, and much more.
Don't get caught without adequate travel insurance!
Call the fine folks at Insurance Services of America for a great plan that won't break the bank.
Labels: lost passport, travel insurance, trip insurance
posted by ISA Brokers @ 12:20 PM
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