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Travel Medical Insurance and Other Travel Tips

Even though dreaming about and planning for your upcoming vacation can be half the fun, many travelers find themselves worrying about things that might go wrong during their trip, especially when traveling abroad. No matter how well you research and plan your travels, sometimes the unexpected happens and things come up. Keeping a few tips in mind when planning a vacation or other travel can help add a little peace of mind.

First, make a photocopy of your travel documents, such as boarding passes, hotel reservation information, passport information, reservation numbers, your drivers license, etc., and leave them at home with a trusted friend or relative. If you should lose any of these important documents on your trip, being able to call up your friend or have them faxed over can be the difference between a slight snag and a major vacation disaster. Leaving a basic itinerary with your contact at home may also help you feel more at ease, since someone will know where and when you can be contacted if something comes up at home.

Second, you may want to look into purchasing some form of travel insurance, especially for longer or more expensive trips. Travel insurance comes in many different forms, such as travel medical insurance or travel health insurance, as well as plans that cover everything from lost luggage to missed flights. Although buying insurance adds an extra cost to your initial vacation budget, it can pay for itself many times over if you become sick, injured, or otherwise unable to complete your trip the way you intended.

Finally, if you are traveling with one or more other people, you may want to consider putting a few of your items in each other’s suitcases in case of lost luggage. If your own suitcase goes missing during the course of your travels, it can be especially comforting to be able to at least have a couple of clothing items stored in a different bag that you can use to get by until your own luggage can be tracked down and returned to you.

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12 COMMENTS

  1. I have mixed feelings about travel insurance because they have so many exclusions. I used it twice and made a claim once. I mostly travel without it.

  2. I once broke my finger in Scotland and the local hospital saw me for nothing. They put it in a splint and sent me on my way.

  3. I’m not a big fan of travelers insurance either. Another option is to bump up your insurance for the month if you are really worried.

  4. I will make sure to make copies of docs. and leave them behind when we go on vacation next year. Also, I love the idea about splitting up your stuff. I’ve been so freaked because I have awful luck and just know they would lose my luggage. Thanks, this is going to make me feel so much about our trip. 🙂

  5. I always thought travel medical insurance was such a rip off… until you need it. Then, you won’t believe how important it is and how much relief it brings. I’ve used it before… and gladly pay now.

  6. My wife and I paid for travelers when we were leaving the U.S. for a year. When we got to central america, we ended up getting sick 3x (before leaving early). But, we never ended up needing it because the medical care was very affordable. I got an ultrasound for free (but it would have been $20). I still would recommend it for long trips though. It does usually require you to get treatment at the closest place that provides health care (no coming back to U.S. or Canada)

  7. I usually decline travel insurance however we took a trip to Jamaica once and decided to take out a policy because it was during hurricane season.

  8. We are lucky we have health travel insurance through work. When it comes to trip cancellation we usually just risk it. There are too many exclusions that make it not worth the fees.

  9. I’m not quite sold on the travel insurance for missed flights. I’ve never missed one. Came close, but lucky so far.

  10. I’ve always brought a photocopy of my passport with me. It’s any easy fix at any US embassy if you lose the original.

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