10 Tips to Make Sure You Have What is Needed in Case of a Travel Emergency

10 Tips to Make Sure You Have What is Needed in Case of an Emergency

A friend of mine recently returned from a trip abroad. When the taxi driver, who was taking her on the day she arrived from the airport to her hotel, pointed out the American Embassy, she asked herself why would he do that. Well, believe it or not, this was probably the most important building she saw in the first few days of her vacation.

This friend of mine is a very experienced traveler, but in a heartbeat, she did something that any of us could do, whether you are experienced or not. She left her pocketbook at her table when she went to get another helping at the breakfast buffet. She always took her pocketbook with her, but for whatever reason, she let her guard down. In that split second, someone took her pocketbook with all her important documents, including her passport. So much for thinking she didn’t need to know where the American Embassy was.

She was a real trooper, and in the end, she was able to get everything straightened out. But, for those first few days, she was worried, as you can well imagine. Below are 10 tips that you may want to follow when you are traveling, whether for pleasure or business.

Make a copy of the passport page where your picture, passport number, and effective and expiration dates are located.
Call your credit and ATM card companies and inform them where you are going to be and for how long.
Document the credit card numbers and the phone numbers (for both national and international travel) so you can report the cards being stolen or lost.
Find out if your credit card company offers trip insurance.
Find out if your health insurance company offers health insurance abroad.
Find out if your bank offers cash advances so you can get some currency immediately.
Store your valuables, including all the documentation, in a safe in your room. If there is no safe, check to see what the hotel has to offer. Do not keep your original passport and credit/ATM cards with the copies of these items.
Pack enough medications to last your entire trip, including some extra in case you are unexpectedly delayed. Pack them in your carry-on bag since your checked baggage may be lost or delayed.
Carry your money, credit/ATM cards, etc. in a cross-body pocketbook, if you are a woman, and some kind of wallet around your neck if you are a man. Backpacks are easy to slash and from which to steal.
Keep your American money separate from your foreign currency.

The most important thing to remember is your life is more important than trying to keep a pick-pocketer from stealing your items. Pick-pocketers are like magicians. You may not even know your things have been stolen.

By being aware of your surroundings and planning carefully in advance, you can minimize the risk. What are some of the things you need to do before travelling to make sure if something happens like it did with my friend you are prepared?