Avoiding Pickpockets And Other Dangers When Traveling Abroad

Visiting foreign countries is fun, educational and sometimes challenging. It’s wise to become familiar with a few travel tips that can make traveling abroad be what it should be–a treasured experience. Look for travel reviews that offer critical advice about what to expect and avoid. People anticipating foreign travel should check with their insurance companies to determine what they might offer in the way of travel insurance. Many insurers will add travel insurance as a rider to existing personal property protection. There are also policies that stay in effect for the length of a person’s travel plans. Either type of insurance covers a variety of property issues, including damage, theft or other types of loss.

Travel insurance reviews are going to point out that unless special attention has been made, health insurance policies valid in the U.S. may be useless in foreign countries. Medicare and Medicaid don’t cover medical care outside the United States, but there are foreign travel health insurance policies. Make sure that any such policy covers medical evacuation, should an accident or serious illness severely incapacitate a person. The costs for medical evacuation can skyrocket to absurd levels. Let the insurance company deal with that issue.

Begin a safe trip abroad by packing carefully. Travel light to eliminate some of the risk that thieves or con artists can create. Don’t be a target. Keep important valuables at home, and let a hotel safe hold passports, credit cards and cash. Explore cities like Rome on foot, but be aware there are innocent-looking natives searching for marks. One scheme that can be encountered in Rome involves a woman using her children to demand, or steal, wallets and watches. Local authorities routinely shrug off such incidents as just gypsies being gypsies, but with today’s global economic mess, who knows what might trigger such a scam?

Take along all medicines, but pack them in a way that makes them easily identifiable. Have copies of prescriptions in hand and any generic names that might be used for various medicines. Any prescribed drug that might be considered a narcotic should have a doctor’s written explanation about its use. Also pack extra eye glasses. Losing or breaking eye glasses not backed up with spares can interrupt even the most carefully-planned foreign tour.

Provide family and friends with a comprehensive travel itinerary. Consider signing up with the State Department’s Smart Travel Enrollment Program. The service is free and the program deals with travel emergencies that might have any impact on personal travel plans. Take along a list of travel tips and refer to them as situations arise.