If you experience an injury while traveling, you aren’t alone; it’s estimated that between 15% and 20% of vacation goers get sick, experience an accident, or encounter some sort of injury when they’re on vacation.
With a little pre-trip planning, you can keep on top of your finances, prevent the de-escalation of health, and keep your stress levels in check.
Research Travel Insurance
Travel insurance comes in many forms. You can get insurance that exclusively covers the duration of one singular trip or a package that covers you and your family for the entire year. The choice is yours.
Most packages will cover costs and medical treatments up to a set limit. They can also provide financial reimbursement if there’s a change to your flight or your baggage gets lost — to name a few troublesome travel scenarios.
Further, insurance teams can help with virtual assistance, like finding a medical practitioner and filing a claim. Always keep a copy of your travel insurance policy with you on vacation.
Make Sure Your Emergency Fund Is Accessible
If you’re a savvy saver, you’ll no doubt have an emergency fund that you can draw upon to cover on-the-spot medical costs, like care, hospital stays and prescriptions.
Before you travel, make sure you can easily access this fund wherever you are in the world. While your insurance will likely cover some of your incurred medical expenses, you won’t receive immediate funding from them.
Look Online for a Line of Credit
Suppose you’re unfamiliar with the concept of an emergency fund. In that case, it’s a financial cushion comprised of approximately three to six months’ worth of expenses that can shoulder the blow should you and your family experience an emergency.
If you don’t have a fund like this, keep in mind that online lenders from the country you reside in may be able to provide aid, and all from your laptop or cell phone.
If you don’t have a personal loan, first check your credit score. Having a handle on your credit score will empower you with the knowledge of the costs you might incur with a personal line of credit and your chances of qualifying.
Plus, if you’re aware of your score, you can work towards bettering it. Boosting your score can greatly improve your chances of qualifying for a loan and with better terms should you need to apply for one.
Finances aside, there are some real-time measures that you should take if you’re injured overseas.
How to Process an Overseas Injury
How you manage your injury will vary based on its severity.
- First, ask your hotel for the information of a local doctor or the local hospital. Often, the hotel will have a medical professional on staff who can guide you best.
- Connect with your embassy if you’re in a rural location with no immediate medical office.
- Keep any physical information. Take, for example, you were in a road accident, keep photos and any paperwork that was drawn up by first responders.
The Takeaway
Millions of people travel overseas every year. It’s unlikely you’ll encounter an injury that derails your vacation plans too much. However, by preparing as best you can before you jet off, you’re likely to combat the bureaucracy of a vacation injury in quick time, redirecting your energy to recuperating and getting better.
