• 27
  Jan
  2012

• Passport Card or Passport?

  
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US citizens traveling abroad sometimes don’t need a passport to travel. Instead, you can use a passport card. Are you aware of the difference? Read on to find out when you can use a passport card to travel. Make sure you are protected with international travel insurance wherever you are traveling to – international travel insurance and a valid passport or card are essentials for travel.

Until 2007 US citizens could come into the US from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada and Bermuda with a valid driver’s license. Now, citizens need a valid passport card if they are only traveling between US and these countries.

The passport card allows people to enter the US by land or sea only, from the specified countries. There are some restrictions, however.

The passport card may not be accepted by the country you are visiting, so you should check with your travel company to make sure. You cannot travel extensively overseas with a passport card. For international travel beyond the Caribbean and Mexico, you need a passport.

• 23
  Jan
  2012

• Adventure Travel: Set Your Limits

  
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Travel can be exhilarating, fun, exotic and exciting but it’s important not to push yourself past your physical limits. Especially when you are taking part in adventure sports or vacations, you should know what a safe limit is for you. Whether you are a student on a gap year, or a family taking the vacation of a lifetime, buy insurance and stay healthy.

Have a physical exam before you go if you are concerned about your fitness or health. If you have recently undergone a procedure or surgery, make sure your doctor has passed you safe to fly and take part in the activities you plan to do.

If you are suffering from a cold, flu or other minor illness make sure you take it easy in the first days of your vacation – too much exertion can turn a minor condition into something more serious. If you feel ill, stop the activity and rest.

Know your own limits. If you cannot walk as far as the others in the group, walk for a half day and sight-see in the afternoon. If you have problems in the heat, book your vacation for the cool season or try a country with a moderate climate. Knowing your restrictions can help you towards a much more enjoyable vacation.

• 16
  Jan
  2012

• Auto Accident Abroad: What to Do

  
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When you go on vacation or travel for business, hiring a car is often the easiest way to get around, to see the sights and to get to important meetings. But driving abroad can be a lot different to driving at home. What do you do if you have an accident when driving abroad? First of all, make sure you have enough travel insurance to cover you abroad. With international travel insurance and some helpful advice, you can limit the damage caused by an auto accident.

If you are in a crash, contact the local police immediately. You will need to fill out a formal police report form. Make sure you do not admit any blame at the scene of the accident, or at the police station, even if it was your fault.

You need to exchange insurance information with the other party or parties, and the police or your consulate should be able to help you with this. If you rented your car, consult with the rental company.

If you do rent a car, make sure you are fully protected with insurance. Drive carefully when you are abroad. Even if the cars are the same, the rules of the road and driving habits may be very different.

• 08
  Jan
  2012

• What to do if You Lose Your Wallet Abroad

  
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First of all, if you discover that your wallet or purse is missing when you are travelling abroad, retrace your steps to see if you can retrieve your lost possessions. If you don’t find your wallet within a reasonable amount of time, call your credit card companies immediately. Here’s where international travel insurance is very useful. International travel insurance can help you recover what you lost.

Cancel your credit cards. If you lost travelers checks, call the bank that issued them. If you call immediately after the loss, the banks will be able to guarantee that you won’t be liable for any unauthorized use of the cards or checks.

If you can, go to the police station to file a report if you believe your possessions were stolen. This will make your insurance claim for theft more robust.

If you are stranded in a foreign country without any money and without any way to withdraw money from your account, go to your Embassy in the country. The Embassy can give you advice as to what to do, and can help you contact relatives or friends that can help.