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Personal VPN

If you’re going to take your laptop with you when you travel, consider getting a personal VPN.  Considering all of the different places you might be connecting to the internet, even with a firewall, it’s a good idea to “protect” your web browsing and email.  The best way is to use a personal VPN.  A personal VPN protects your information once it leaves your computer.  Your firewall and virus protection don’t do that.  When you use an internet connection or hotspot, you don’t know who may be “sniffing” that traffic just looking for personal information, credit card numbers, etc.  Who knows who’s in the hotel room down the hall that’s monitoring your internet traffic on the hotel network.

We’ve used WiTopia for PersonalVPN service for over three years.  It’s extremely reliable and really doesn’t have any affect on internet speed.  It’s very reasonable at around $60 per year and it’s easy to install and use for both Windows and Mac users.

Medications

One thing you don’t want to forget when you leave home, is any medications that you take on a regular basis.  While it may sound simple just to throw them in your luggage, there are a few things you need to think about.

Destination Check

If you’ll be taking prescription medications along, it’s always advisable to check and see if they’re allowed in the country your visiting. It’s also helpful to make sure you’re name appears on the bottle to help avoid confiscation at your port of entry. You can check the State Department website for the country you are planning to visit.  You certainly don’t want to have your medications confiscated or worse yet, be stuck in jail in the country your visiting for violating local laws.

IAH TIP:  Make a list of the medications your taking before you leave and carry the list with you.  Better yet, enter it in your wireless, so it’s always handy.  That way, in case of emergency, you have a list of everything you taking at hand.

Extra, Extra!

You never know what will happen on your trip, so you should always take a few extra days worth of medication.  You never know when your flight may be delayed or you decide to spend a few extra days (expected or unexpected) at your destination.

IAH TIP:  Never put a majority of your medication in your checked baggage.  If your bag is delayed or contents stolen, you’ve got a problem.  Put most of your medication in your carry-on.  You may still want to put a small amount of your medication in your checked bag, just in case you lose your carry-on.  Never put all of your eggs in one basket.


Copy Cat!

Before leaving, have your doctor give you duplicate prescriptions for your medications.  That way, if you lose your medications on your journey, it will make it easier to get the necessary refills.  Also, you should take a copy of your current prescription for each medication that your taking.  That way, if you’re stopped in immigration and your destination, it will help prove that the medications are yours and not illegal.

IAH TIP:  Put your doctor and/or pharmacists phone number in your wireless address book.  That way you’ll have it handy if you need to contact them in an emergency while you’re away.

Trip Insurance

Travel insurance is a must if you’re traveling internationally.   While you may think that you’re invincible, trip insurance can keep your trip from being ruined. Whether it’s a bad case of the flu, or a twisted ankle, you don’t want to be without insurance.  Most people think that their health insurance will cover them anywhere. That’s not necessarily true. Do you really want to come up with $1500 in cash to pay for a doctor in Singapore? Do you want to spend two weeks in a hospital in Poland, or would you rather be in a hospital at home? Evacuation insurance is usually part of better trip insurance policies.  Remember that if you do end up needing medical care while you’re gone and can’t pay your bill in full before you leave, you may not be able to leave the country your in.

Don’t Procrastinate

So you can make sure you have maximum coverage for your trip, you’ll want to buy insurance as soon as you make your first trip payment or deposit.  Many policies offer lesser coverage the longer you wait.  Travel insurance varies in price based upon your destination, how long you’ll be gone, your age and how many people you’ll be insuring.  You’ll be surprised at how inexpensive it is.  For medical only, you’ll probably pay around $39 or so for a week long trip.  Make sure to shop around for the best rate and options that fit your type of travel.  Before you buy insurance, check with your current medical insurance carrier and regular insurance agent to see what coverages you may already have when you travel abroad.  That way, you can just buy the insurance coverage you need.

Where to Buy Insurance

There are many different places on the web to buy insurance.  You’ll want to make sure you stick with reliable companies, so that you don’t end up uncovered.  All companies that sell travel insurance in the US are rated by AM Best.  AM Best rates all insurance companies, so you can be assured of the companies financial viability to pay your claims.  We use Squaremouth to purchase travel insurance when we travel.  It allows you to compare all kinds of companies and coverage side-by-side.  For some companies, Squaremouth also will give you a satisfaction guarantee, which most individual carriers do not.  If you’re planning on doing sporting activities while traveling, you should also check out World Nomads.  They often cover you against potential injuries that other companies won’t.

Find the Right Fit

Just like any insurance policy you buy, there are a lot of different flavors of travel insurance.  You certainly don’t want to buy more coverage than you need, but you definitely want to make sure you have the right coverage..  Where to start?  Here are some features of the major basic coverages:

  • Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption.
    This provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits if a trip is canceled and/or interrupted for illness, death or other specific unforeseen circumstances.
  • Terrorism.
    Provides coverage in the event of a terrorist incident.  Coverage varies widely for terrorism, so make sure to read the details closely.
  • Financial Default.
     Even the best known companies can have unforseen financial issues.  This covers you if there is a complete suspension of operations by your tour operator, airline or other travel provider due to financial circumstances whether or not bankruptcy is filed.  Coverage details vary based upon many factors so read the fine print carefully.
  • Hurricane & Weather.
    Covers you if there’s a travel delay coverage due to a mandatory evacuation; complete cessation (meaning the destination airport has been closed for a certain amount of time)of either a common carrier (ticketed public transport) or travel supplier (hotel, condo manager etc.) or your accommodation at destination being rendered uninhabitable by weather (meaning it has either been flooded or so damaged that you cannot stay there).
  • Missed Connection.
    Will reimburse you in the event of a missed flight connection or for the additional costs to “catch up” to a cruise if the cause of delay is an accident or bad weather.
  • Travel Delay.
    Travel Delay provides reimbursement for meals and accommodations when a trip is unexpectedly delayed.
  • Baggage & Personal Items Loss.
    Provides reimbursement for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or personal items.
  • Baggage Delay.
    Can reimburse you for clothing, toiletries and other essential items if luggage is delayed for a specific amount of time.
  • Emergency Medical & Dental.
    Reimburses you for the cost of treatment associated with a medical or dental emergency incurred while traveling.
  • Medical Evacuation & Repatriation.
    Emergency Evacuation arranges to medically transport you to an appropriate medical facility. Medical Repatriation arranges for you to return home to receive care. Repatriation of Remains arranges for return of your remains back to the place of your residence.
  • Life Insurance.
    There are various flavors of Life Insurance coverage, so read your policy carefully.  Basically it provides cash payment for accidental loss of life or limb while traveling.
  • Rental Car Damage.
    Collision loss/damage insurance for rental cars covers the costs of damage to, or theft of, a rental car.  You may want to check with your credit card company to see if they will provide this coverage at no charge.

There is a Difference

In addition to checking for the type of coverage you might need, you need to look at more than just the total price.  The last thing you want when you have a claim is a hassle.  Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, check to see if the companies offer these features.

  • Cancellation of your Trip for any Reason.
    Provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits if a trip is canceled for any reason. Be cautious, however, as some plans provide only return of premium.
  • Deductible.
    Deductibles vary by each plan and can range from $0 to $2500.  Many plans offer $0 deductibles, so determine how much your willing to spend out of pocket, if you have a claim.
  • Hazardous Sports.
    This is one aspect of coverage you’ll want to pay special attention to.  Most policies exclude any “activities” that are considered “dangerous”.  Definitely read the fine print and if you have any “out of the ordinary” activities planned, you may want to make sure you’ll be covered.
  • Trip Duration.
    Many policies limit the amount of time you can be away.  A trip starts when you leave your home and ends when you return to your home regardless of the number of destinations in between.
  • Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions.
    Some companies may cover pre-existing conditions after a specified waiting period, while others may not provide any coverage.  Read the fine print.
  • 24 Hour Assistance Service.
     This is one of the most important.  When you have a problem, you want to reach someone….NOW.  Move companies that offer a 24 Hour Hotline to the top of your list.
  • Money Back Guarantees.
     Money back guarantees are provided to allow you to decide if the policy you purchased is right for you. Your guarantee or “free look” period can last for up to 14 days depending on insurance company although it expires as soon as you use the policy by making a claim or reaching your departure date.

IAH TIP:  World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover most sporting activities.  You can check them out here.

Pre-Trip Immunizations

You can’t plan far enough in advance for pre-trip immunizations.  The US CDC recommends checking with your doctor AT LEAST 4-6 weeks before you travel to see what immunizations you may need for your intended destination.  Even if you don’t want to get certain vaccinations, you may not have a choice.  Certain countries, Saudi Arabia for example, actually require you to have some vaccinations before you’re allowed entry into the country.  The last thing you need is to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an airline ticket, only to be turned away at your destination.

At A Minimum

You’re never too old or young to have basic immunizations.   At a minimum, you should at least be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, plus be current on your Tetanus shots.  Adults should have a Tetanus booster every 10 years.  You’re highest risk while traveling is Hep A.  Hep A can be contracted in areas of poor sanitation or from infected people who handle food.  Hep A and Hep B can be contracted via unprotected sex or from IV drug users.  Tetanus could be easily contracted by simply stepping on a rusty nail.  Many people contract Hepatitis without even leaving the country, so even if you travel domestically, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated.

IAH TIP:  When you get your vaccinations, ask for a vaccination record card.  File it away in a safe place at home so you’ll have a handy reference for what vaccinations you’ve had and not had.

Vaccination Requirements for your Destination

It’s easy to find out what you need as far as vaccinations for your destination.  You can check the US CDC website or the UK NHS Fit For Travel site.  Both have very detailed information about what you need and things you should be aware of for every country on the planet.  You may also want to check with you regular family doctor or your local County Health Department. If you belong to an HMO, they may have a travel clinic that can help you as well.

IAH TIP:  Disease outbreaks can happen at any time.  The CDC maintains a a “Travel Notice” section of their website that has up-to-the-minute health information for every destination.  Check it out right before you leave!

Check Travel Advisories For Your Destination

If you’re planning on a trip abroad, you should always check the US Department of State or the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth office website for the latest in travel advisories for the countries you are visiting. For more detailed information about what’s happening in the country your about to visit, another great resource is the Overseas Security Advisory Council. They have links to recent news stories in the country that may affect your travel plans.