How to reduce risks when travelling

Insurance Insights | June 22, 2017

How to reduce risks when travelling

Scoping out the landscape of risk and taking reasonable precautions when travelling is known as your duty of care. You may be held liable and incur considerable expenses if you fail to do so. This includes conducting research and planning for contingencies before travelling. Recognizing this, TSG has compiled a handy guide to ensure a safe trip for you.Medical considerationsIllnesses can happen at anytime and any place, but they become more frequent and severe when travelling as your body adjusts to a new climate, unfamiliar food and air, and the time difference. You may also be exposed to bacteria and viruses which can aggravate a pre-existing medical condition.In some cases, you may need urgent treatment, but finding, receiving and paying for it will be much more difficult when you don’t have a prior relationship with a physician in a foreign country or if you don’t speak the local language.Moreover, injuries and diseases may worsen if the area lacks adequate medical infrastructure and resources. Another problem is that you may receive a lower standard of care than you’re used to at home. Part of addressing this means doing your research to find where good hospitals are located and how to access them.Safety and security considerationsEconomic and political instability can interfere with your travels. To prevent this, create an action plan to follow in case of political unrest, kidnapping or ransom. Kidnapping can take different forms, including something known as “virtual” kidnapping where scammers claim they have kidnapped someone and demand a ransom from friends and family. This scheme relies on the family being unable to reach the person as, for instance, in a remote vacation spot.This is not to scare or deter you from going on vacation, but outsmarting risks is all about being proactive.So to manage and reduce your travel risk, follow these steps:1. Perform a risk assessment of your destination. This includes checking the government’s website for travel warnings and bans.2. Make sure your airline has a solid safety record.3. Book a safe hotel and find safe car and public transit routes.4. Leverage online review forums5. Locate the best available hospital.6. Establish means of emergency communication.7. Create and communicate safety procedures to all trip parties and family at home.8. Keep an eye on the weather and the news. Be aware of extreme weather events like storms, floods and fires and political developments.9. Designate an emergency contact.10. Speak with your broker and insurance provider about getting the most appropriate coverage for your travel needs.How are you managing and mitigating your vacation risks? Comment below or tweet us @TheShepherdGroup