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4 ways to worry less while traveling
November 15, 2022
Author: Marissa Kozma
When you’re about to travel to new territory, it’s likely you’ll feel a little uneasy — especially if you don’t speak the local language, are exploring a rural area or a country less frequented by Americans, or aren’t as familiar with the potential risks in your destination. It can be difficult to stay up to date on current events abroad, but don’t let the fear of catastrophe deter you from taking your dream vacation. Here are four of the most common travel fears — and what you can do about them.
I’m worried I’ll lose my passport or get robbed
The two most important things to take with you while traveling — your passport and your wallet — can sometimes get misplaced. It’s not an ideal boat to be in, but it can happen. It’s easy to cancel credit cards if they have been lost or stolen, but make sure you carry a few in your purse or wallet and leave others in a secure location in a hotel room safe, separate suitcase out of sight, or in a secret pocket/neck pouch in case of emergency.
While you’re likely to get big bills when you withdraw from an ATM at the start of your trip, make sure you break the bills right away and keep smaller amounts safely hidden in a separate location. Wallets and purses are always easy grabs when a robber is searching for valuables, so always have a back-up stash!
Just in case you lose your passport or visa, make sure you have a scanned copy of the document(s) saved on your phone or in your email account and carry an additional form of identification, such as a driver’s license, to assist with the replacement process. OZZI also offers information on nearby embassies, non-emergency contact numbers, police stations, and overall advice on what to do if such an incident occurs.
I’m worried I’ll get sick abroad.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us all to prioritize our health when traveling abroad. If the country you are visiting is experiencing an outbreak, you should delay your trip, but if the CDC suggests there is minimal risk for disease or other immediate health concerns, make sure you’re still prepared.
A lot of times your existing insurance coverage will follow you on your travels. Home owners, renters, and some medical policies will cover most situations. It’s best to call your provider to see if you have coverage while traveling. If not, consider purchasing a short-term travel insurance policy to cover you in the event of a medical emergency or evacuation — especially if you plan to stay abroad for a long period of time. Use OZZI to stay informed on food/water safety, immunization requirements, COVID-19 entry and exit restrictions, and other health alerts in your destination. If you become sick or injured abroad, use OZZI to immediately contact the nearest U.S. embassy for assistance. Consider enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to register your trip with the State Department.
I’m worried I won’t be able to communicate with locals in an emergency.
You don’t need to speak the local language if you need help. If you become sick or injured abroad, your nearest U.S. embassy will be able to inform you of hospitals and health care providers in your area that speak your language and/or have translation services available. OZZI is a great resource for immediately connecting you to embassy officials and emergency personnel and offering language and gesture support so you can effectively interact with locals. You can also store your own personal emergency contacts on OZZI, so that you are able to contact friends or family without a SIM card or WiFi with the press of a button.
I’m worried about unexpected terrorism or civil unrest.
Making sure your destination is a safe one in regard to this matter might require some digging, but before you book your flight, check OZZI’s travel advisories to learn of recent unrest, terrorism, environmental hazards, or other threats to safety and security. OZZI will ensure you’re aware of recent safety incidents, dangerous regions/neighborhoods, disease outbreaks, and more. The app uses multiple alert levels to help you determine the level of risk.
If your destination has a Level 4 travel advisory on OZZI, you may want to reconsider your plans as your destination has a high threat of danger, and if it’s under a Level 5 advisory, cancel your plans immediately, as your destination has extreme risk of danger. It’s unlikely that travel advisories will change on short notice, but if they do, make sure you’re prepared to come home. Your health and safety are always OZZI’s number one concern.