Traveling, whether locally or abroad, can bring great joy and new experiences into your life. However, not all of these experiences are positive. While it would be wonderful for all travel experiences to be absolutely perfect, sometimes setbacks happen. Here are some of the most common worst-case travel scenarios, and what you can do when they happen to you.
Losing Your Passport
Losing your passport is every traveler’s worst nightmare, and unfortunately one of the most common setbacks to traveling. A passport is the most important document that you’ll have as a tourist, so keeping it safe and secure is tantamount. However, if you do end up losing it or having it stolen, our post ‘I Lost My Malaysian Passport Abroad. What Should I Do?’ explains the steps you should follow in order to get back home. Remember to lodge a police report and contact your local embassy or consulate immediately, and they’ll guide you through the rest of the steps.
Crashing A Rental Car
Renting a car is a popular option in countries that don’t have an accessible or efficient public transport system, or for long road trips while you’re abroad. While everyone tries to maintain safety on the road at all times, sometimes unfortunate accidents can happen. In case you do get into an accident with your rental car, take photographs of the damage and immediately contact your rental company. Rental insurance can be complicated, so CarBibles lists the different types of insurance that you may encounter while renting a car. Make sure to read up on these different types and see which is the best fit for your budget before signing the rental agreement.
Delayed or Cancelled Flight
Cheap airfare and an increased number of flight routes means that flying is one of the most popular ways to get around in this day and age. Aviation JobNet reports that airports are extremely busy during the holiday season, revealing record revenues worldwide. However, flying by air means that there’s always a chance that your flight could get delayed or cancelled. When that happens, make sure to read up on your passenger rights and make sure that you get the compensation you deserve. Keep a cool head and make sure to contact your airline for information on the full situation as well as on possible compensation.
Getting Stuck in a Natural Disaster
With climate change becoming an increasing reality in our daily lives, travelers should be prepared for worst-case scenarios while abroad. Travel website Traveloka has a list of things to do in order to be adequately prepared for natural disasters while abroad. Make sure to keep updated on weather or local news, buy travel insurance, and contact your country’s embassy or consulate in case evacuation is needed.
Getting Injured
Whether you prefer exploring the city or going on adventures in exotic locales, you’ll need to be prepared for injury in any situation. Travelers should always bring around a first aid kit in case of emergencies. For more serious situations, Mic has prepared an article on what to do if you’re injured abroad. Getting travel insurance, taking precautions, and being aware of the nearest health facility or embassy are all important tips to keep in mind.
