Planning and research can help you avoid or prepare for many of the frequent challenges of adjusting to a new environment abroad, such as petty thievery, traffic safety, and water safety. One must also remember to buy online travel insurance. For most international destinations, it may be a must. Keeping a low profile and staying in touch with loved ones is advisable. Here are a few pointers and tips to remember when you travel overseas:
Be aware of the usual safety and security concerns
- Thievery: Petty thievery is frequent abroad. Many international destinations have pickpockets and scammers.
- Always watch your bags and things.
- Stay alert on public transit to arrive safely. Observe your surroundings and belongings.
- Use a cross-body bag, and don’t keep valuables in your back pockets (wallets, cell phones). Travel with backpacks on your front.
- Road safety: Travelling is the most dangerous on the road.
- Do not drive abroad. Ignorance of local driving laws in your host nation could result in accidents and fines.
- Listen to your on-site orientation about safe public transit.
- Walk carefully. Cross the street carefully and watch traffic patterns.
- Water safety: Swimmers and boaters can be surprised by foreign waters. Follow water safety signs, use a life jacket, and don’t take needless risks.
Ensure that the online travel insurance plan you choose covers a variety of risks and dangers so that your finances stay protected against untoward incidents.
Maintain a low profile
- Safety starts with awareness—of yourself, your surroundings, and public conduct.
- Be vigilant—set limits, study your environment, be aware of others, and trust your intuition.
- Tourist areas are at high-risk for petty theft, fraud, and other crimes.
- Dress inconspicuously.
- Avoid pricey jewellery and electronics.
- Never leave friends or go out alone at night. Take 3-5 individuals.
- Know the local customs.
- What’s appropriate here?
- What do locals do?
- What do you do at home that would get you in trouble abroad? Smoking, drinking, dating, public shows of affection, etc. should be considered.
How to handle money abroad
- Notify your credit card and bank of overseas travel.
- Keep credit card and bank contact information for lost or stolen cards.
- Have multiple payment options ready.
- Ask your credit card or bank about foreign transaction costs.
- Only bring your travel credit and debit/ATM cards.
- Wear a money belt or pouch with your passport and cash during your journey.
When you are carrying out a comparison of travel insurance plans, check if the insurer covers the loss of debit and/or credit card. This coverage can come in quite handy if an unfortunate situation were to occur. *
Keep copies of important documents handy
- Copy passports and credit cards. Leave one copy at home and one when travelling.
- A copy of all documents required for a passport should be kept handy, in case of a lost passport.
- Leave an itinerary and emergency contact information with a trusted person.
- Report missing or stolen travel documents to your Embassy.
Understand how communications work abroad
- Staying in touch with family and close friends while overseas is crucial, but set expectations so they know how often to expect you to call.
- Always have a charged and international cell phone.
- Bring the right plug and voltage converter for your destination.
- Learn to call your destination country.
- Give your close ones your emergency contact information and international mobile number.
- For mobile, buying a “pay-as-you-go” option is mostly preferred. *
* Standard T&C Apply
To ease the process of buying travel insurance, you can use an online travel insurance premium calculator to quickly check their premium amounts. This may help you in selecting the one that suits your needs.
Needless to say, travelling abroad requires a valid passport. If you don’t have one, check the list of documents required for passport online and apply for one immediately.
‘Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.’
