To not be aware of the risks associated with traveling is the worst neglect you can ever allow yourself to do. You cannot be blind to the dangers of traveling. It is all over the news and social media. Travelers get jailed for offenses that wouldn’t count as offenses in their home countries. They spend days in detention simply for spitting or chewing gum. Then, some get into accidents and find themselves in a strange hospital with people whose language they cannot understand.
But are these reasons enough for you not to see the world as you’ve always dreamed of? No. To experience the world is one of the most exhilarating and unforgettable moments in your life. There is nothing that can replace that. What you need to do is understand and analyze the risk and plan on how you can address these issues to protect yourself from harm.
Get Insured
The best way to fight against these risks is to get traveler’s insurance. But not just any traveler’s insurance, mind you. If you have medical conditions or any other concerns that may not be covered by regular insurance, you can undergo an underwriting service wherein an insurance company will assess the risk of insuring you and come up with the right policies to cover all your needs. Gun shops use an insurance underwriting service so they can get covered for all types of risks. They are the most popular type of business or establishment to use this service.
Illnesses and Accidents
Your health is a primary concern when you travel. Are you healthy enough for the rigorous journey of traveling? Make sure you have a clean bill of health before you go into any adventure. Have a thorough physical check-up before you travel, especially if you’re planning to do extreme outdoor activities such as skiing, paragliding, and skydiving.
Unfortunately, the reality is that accidents do happen on the road. Whether minor or major, you will have to face authorities, as well as check yourself in the hospital to prevent injuries from getting worse. While you do not have control over how others drive, you’re going to have to learn about local driving if you plan to drive a rented scooter or car.
Stomach Problems
It is not uncommon for tourists to get an upset stomach when traveling. Beware of the water you drink. You might want to bring extra cash for all the bottled water you have to buy. You can use one of those personal water filters to make sure the water you drink is free of bacteria. At the same time, don’t think that expensive restaurants are safer. They use the same water as everyone else, so be careful what you drink.
Pickpockets
Have you ever lost a wallet or passport abroad? It is one of the worst things that can happen to you. Aside from the fact that you do not have family or friends there, you also have to explain to your embassy why you need a new passport. You need someone at home to fax or email you a copy of your documents to prove that you are who you say you are. As always, it is best to have your valuables in the hotel’s safety box.
Animals and Insects
Those tiny bugs in the Amazon rainforest are not exactly harmless. They can pack a punch. Make sure you are vaccinated against all types of known diseases in the countries that you are visiting. This is especially important if you’re planning a trip to developing nations that have not eradicated malaria, polio, yellow fever, and such.
Scams
Unfortunately, some people will try to scam tourists who they think have more money to give. When arriving in a country, try to get used to the currency and have a reference for the items you want—bottled water, meals, souvenirs, etc. Don’t try to haggle. Just stick to the price that you want when you’re shopping in the market. You can avoid falling into these traps if you stick with authorized travel agencies, cab drivers, and hotels. This way, you can go to the authorities and file a complaint if you feel that you have been duped.
Although these risks may put some off to traveling, it needs to be said that nothing quite compares to seeing the world. There are many things you can do to protect yourself from these risks. One of that is getting a traveler’s insurance. Another is using only authorized agencies for transactions. But at the end of the day, the memories you carry from these travels are going to be worth the inconveniences of getting bitten by bed bugs and having an upset stomach somewhere in the middle of Asia.
