By Karla Sullivan
Planning a trip over spring break should be an exciting venture to sail in gentle waters, spend time on the beach or if a snow bunny through and through, skiing in the mountains. However, what happens if you are not prepared for losing your luggage, having to use the nearest emergency services at a local hospital or even bad weather that causes cancellations?
The following are tips to encourage a trip that will result in fond memory and not a nightmare exposed.
- Know where you are going, travel routes, places you want to visit and any costs involved with those activities. Have apps ready to go on your phone or computer
- Check with the local Chamber of Commerce in the area for any free activities
- Confirm and reconfirm flight information if traveling by air as well as lodging
- Make sure you check in early at the airport which should be about 2 hours prior to flight time
- Make sure you pack medications
- Keep luggage at a minimum
- Double check on limits for credit cards and debit cards
- Separate your money and cards possibly leaving some funds at your hotel
- Have copies of important documentation including your travel policy
Look into travel insurance options that will give you the protection you need to secure a safe and happy trip. Some insurances offer round the clock assistance if something goes wrong and can work to help you make changes in flight and hotel confirmations. Travel insurance may be able to coordinate cash transfers in an emergency. Some will help you locate a doctor if you need assistance and they can offer waivers for pre-existing conditions. If something does happen while you are gone and need to come home early, travel insurance may help reimburse a portion of your trip. And if you happen to bump into another on ski slope and cause injury, you may want to check into that coverage option as well.
Obviously, cost is determined by a number of factors including the type of travel, how long and number of dependents. The basic policy should cover your exact needs though you can add extras.
