Family Travel Plans? How to Protect Yourself While Away

Have you been bitten by the travel bug this year? Summer is officially less than one week away, and you may be dreaming of vacation. Whether your ideal vacation includes hiking through a national park, lounging on the beach, or hitting the slopes, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most desirable luxury vacation destinations for families. Before you finalize your next vacation, you’ll also want to review these tips to keep yourself and your family protected while away.

Family Vacation – Ensure You’re Protected

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of an upcoming trip. Before you pack your bags and hit the road (or the sky), take these steps to keep yourself protected while punching out with your loved ones.

1.   Have someone you trust watch your home

Beyond having someone stop by to water your house plants, we recommend asking someone you trust to check in on your home regularly while you are out of town. Add an extra layer of surveillance to your home security system and ask a friend or family member to stop in and enjoy the house to themselves throughout your trip! 

2.   Don’t post until you return

It’s likely you will want to share photos of your trip on social media while you’re on vacation, but you may alert the wrong person that your house is empty.

3.   Travel Insurance – To invest or not?

If you are planning a shorter, weekend-long trip, travel insurance may be worth skipping. The cost of the policy could potentially be as much or more than the trip itself. When it comes to plane tickets and hotel bookings, your airline, hotel or credit card may be able to provide reimbursement in the event of last-minute cancelations or offer a credit for future use. Be sure to read the fine print before booking if there is a chance of a change in plans.

On the other hand, travel insurance can be very beneficial if you are taking an expensive vacation with non-refundable fees such as your flight, hotel, transportation, etc. While your credit card may reimburse for a portion of these expenses, you may likely be out of luck on a large part of your vacation expenses. Even if your chosen travel provider offers a reimbursement policy, it may not be as lenient and flexible as what you might get with a travel insurance policy. Travel insurance could reimburse you for a myriad of reasons, including unexpected work requirements, illness and military deployment. The last thing you want on vacation is a medical emergency, but if it were to happen, travel insurance could cover the cost of a Medical Flight back to the U.S. Our local contacts at Brush Creek Partners recommend Allianz Travel for travel insurance.

Speaking of insurance... If you are planning a long trip away from your home, be sure to let your homeowner's insurance company know you will be gone. In the unlikely event of a flood, pipe burst, or other damage, providers may not cover damage without notice of your extended absence.

4.   Beware of pickpockets

Whether traveling in the U.S. or internationally, always be wary of pickpockets. Contrary to what you might believe, pickpockets often work in teams. While one swindler approaches to share a travel or pamphlet or even spill a drink on you as a distraction, the accomplice can snatch items from pockets or bags. Be especially alert in highly trafficked areas and popular tourist attractions.

Backpacks are a convenient choice while traveling, but are also convenient for pickpockets. If you carry a backpack, we recommend using one that zips from the back. This way, as long as the bag is on your shoulders, a thief would not have access to outside zippers.

Be cautious, but not too cautious. If you are consistently patting your pockets to check for your wallet or checking in your bag, you are sending a signal to a potential thief that you have something of value to steal. 

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