Creating An Effective Travel Emergency Action Plan

Steps for Creating an Effective Travel Emergency Action Plan

Assessment and Research

During the planning process of your trip, you’ll want to research everything from the weather to the social atmosphere of the destination you will travel to. This includes researching potential risks in the activities you will doing, food and drink you will consume, and areas you will visit. 

It may seem like a downer to do this, especially when you likely are planning a relaxing or fun getaway, but taking just a little more time and this extra step to ensure your travel safety can help you avoid some simple pitfalls that others will have to suffer through. For example, by looking up the weather forecast, and understanding the season you will be traveling in (i.e. if it is a rainy or dry season) could help you prepare the activities you will do and gear you pack (i.e. a travel fan or poncho), while other travelers are left out in the rain or suffering through heat.

You should also look at things like health threats, cultural customs, and local laws.

Creating a good travel emergency action plan needs this step. Don’t skip it! You want to know about all dangers before they happen, not after! Knowing these things will help keep your trip safe and fun.

Documentation Backup

Keep important papers safe when you travel. It’s simple enough to scan into your smartphone your passport, driver’s license, and visa. Also send a copy to your email or cloud so that you can access it from any computer. Some people still also like to make physical copies. Also keep the names, contact info, and addresses for your tickets, transfer, and accommodations. These backups will help if the real ones get lost or stolen.

Emergency Contacts Compilation

Take the time to have a couple of emergency contacts. This part of your travel safety plan helps you reach out fast to people who can help you during an issue.

You can also store this in your phone’s note area and pin it to the top or go old school and create an index card and keep it in your carry-on or wallet.

1. List the phone numbers of close family or friends who are your emergency contacts. 
2. Add the contact details for your country’s embassy or consulate in your travel location.
3. Put the local police, fire department, and hospital numbers on your list.
4. If you have a medical condition, do write down your doctor’s contact number.
5. Write down the hotline numbers for lost credit cards or passports.
6. Get a contact at your travel insurance firm. You may need to call them if an issue crops up.

Financial Preparedness

Having cash on hand, in particular local currency, is also part of your travel emergency action plan. Take steps to keep your money safe. Also, have bank cards or credit cards handy but secure.

Visa and Mastercardare the most commonly accepted cards. So I recommend that you have at least one debit card and one credit card with one of these brands. For your debit card, you can withdraw money from an ATM, and in case of emergency, friends back home can send you money if needed, and you can withdraw from your bank without having to do an expensive wire transfer.

For your credit card, I recommend getting a card like the card_name which comes with emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. This protection is worth up to $100,000, and it pays for eligible transportation expenses, medical services and medical supplies that are necessary during evacuation.

Between the 10x total points on hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, access to the latest chain of airport lounges — the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club — and plenty more bonus points opportunities, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best credit cards to have in your wallet if you’re a traveler.

Health and Safety Measures

You also need to think about health and safety as a key part of your travel emergency action plan. Start by looking for possible dangers on your trip.

A good first step is making a list of all the risks you might face. These could be as simple as bad weather or food that makes you sick. It could be more serious things like natural disasters, too.

Next, come up with plans to keep yourself safe from these risks. It could be as simple as ensuring that you never get dehydrated while traveling. Travel dehydration is a cause for so many ailments that you get while traveling so  by bringing a Lifestraw or using a UV water bottle so that you can drink (most) tap water is a way to prevent travel dehydration on your own terms.

By assessing the overall risks you may potentially face on your journey, you can map out what steps to take if something bad happens healthwise on your trip. Then share this plan with everyone involved in your trip.

Using a service like Medjet can also help with this process. They can give you advice and even help you predict risks from the journeys you will take so you don’t have to think about how to stay safe while traveling with your own limited knowledge.

Communication Strategy

Having a clear chat plan for emergencies is key. You need to know how you will reach your friends and family if there’s trouble. Think about different ways to get in touch –  use of phone calls, emails, or text messages. But, also think about how you would reach people if wifi and cell towers are down. Social media can also help with this. Also, knowing where the U.S. Embassy or consulate is located is smart. 

Evacuation and Shelter Plan

So many of us don’t think about this (and honestly, who really wants to think of this worst-case scenario when you are on vacation). But, you need an evacuation and shelter plan for your trips. This plan keeps you safe in times of danger. It can be really simple, just take a few moments to map out the main route to leave a bad area quickly. Then pick a meeting spot outside this area for everyone in your group.

Think about what types of disasters could happen where you’re going. Know the local plans for each disaster kind too. These steps are key parts of any good travel emergency action plan.

For example, if you get invited to a big party or festival. Before you jump in the fun of it all, scan the room or event space, and know where you could run, hide, or escape should something tragic happen.

Recommended Travel Insurance

So, you’ve got your bags packed, itinerary set, and you’re buzzing with excitement for your next adventure. But wait, did you remember to sort out your travel insurance? I know, I know, it sounds like just another boring adulting task, but trust me on this one—it’s a game-changer. Think of travel insurance as that trusty umbrella you pack “just in case” it rains. Whether it’s a lost suitcase, a surprise bout of Bali belly, or a cancelled flight that leaves you stranded, travel insurance has got your back. It’s that peace of mind that lets you fully dive into your travels, knowing that if things go sideways, you’re covered. So, before you jet off, take a few minutes to get that safety net in place. 

Here’s my recommendations for different travel scenarios.

World Nomads: Best for adventure and remote travel

World Nomads is a top choice for travel insurance. It gives you peace of mind when you are far from home. This service helps those who love exploring new places and taking part in exciting activities.

World Nomads covers over 200 adventure sports, so it’s great if you’re the type to go hiking or bungee jumping on your trips. If you’re a frequent travel you can get an annual plan.

Being hurt overseas can cost a lot of money. But with World Nomads, your medical bills can be covered. You don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket for any surprise illness or injury while abroad.

The best part? People like us made this plan! It understands what we need when we step outside our comfort zone and venture into the unknown.

Safety Wing: Ideal for digital nomads and long-term travelers

SafetyWing Insurance is a top choice for digital nomads and long-term travelers. It gives global coverage when you are far from home. The plan even covers COVID-19, which makes it fit for today’s health needs.

This insurance is made just for those who work while they travel. Even if you have a full time job that is based in the U.S. that offers medical insurance, it likely will not cover you abroad. So this is the top choice for Digital Nomads. It has both travel and health help. It also offers personal liability coverage to protect you.

Medjet: Suitable for high-risk or specialized trips

Medjet is a top choice for high-risk or specialized trips. You can buy it just for the time you travel or opt for an annual plan according to your travel risks and lifestyle.

A stolen passport. A broken leg on a remote mountain. Civil unrest. Natural disasters. A positive COVID-19 test. Whatever the emergency, wherever you are, this service offers help that is unique to all other insurance.  They have a team of medical and security experts — staffed by veteran Navy Seals, Army Rangers, Air Force Pararescue, Defense Intelligence Agency Analysts, paramedics and physicians — come through for you when it matters most. 

Traditional insurance won’t rescue you, and a medical evacuation can cost up to $300,000. Without Medjet, your travel emergency could take longer, cost more — and make a dangerous situation a lot worse. That’s the value of a travel protection membership.

With Medjet, you get the peace of mind that the finest medical, security evacuation, field rescue, intelligence and telehealth personnel always have your back.