The world can change quickly. One day, you’re planning a dream trip to Paris. The next day, you may be wondering if you should cancel your vacation because World War III is about to break out. Or, you might be afraid you won’t be allowed back into the country if a border agent finds a social media post critical of President Donald Trump.
Ongoing wars, geopolitical instability and an erratic American president mean travel anywhere in the world is unpredictable and subject to disruption at any time. The threat is significant enough that the United States Department of State issued a rare worldwide travel advisory for Americans traveling abroad.
That doesn’t mean you should scrap your travel plans. However, it does mean you should be prepared for cancellations and disruptions due to political upheaval. “The overarching advice here is simple. Be prepared for a full, COVID-style shutdown lasting for a few days as the country either absorbs the initial shock of unrest or begins to adapt to a new normal,” advises Daniel Herszberg, an international attorney and co-founder of Travel Insighter who has visited every country in the world.
We asked travel experts for their advice on how to make sure you’re prepared for anything this summer.
Get the right kind of travel insurance.
Some travelers embark on their trip, smugly believing their travel insurance covers them for any mishap that may arise. Often, these travelers are surprised when they file a claim only to find that the value of what was in their lost bag or the cost of a doctor’s visit abroad isn’t covered. When it comes to the fallout from the current geopolitical landscape, the stakes of choosing the wrong insurance policy are a lot higher.
As a starting point, Mercedes Zach, a travel agent with ASAP Tickets, recommends getting an insurance policy that covers both cancellations and interruptions. However, that’s just the start. Standard travel insurance policies typically won’t help if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to political instability, Herszberg explained. “Generally speaking, standard travel insurance packages will include exceptions for civil unrest or political evacuations,” he said. To see if you are protected if political chaos derails your trip, Herszberg recommends reading your policy carefully and contacting your insurance provider to clarify exactly what is and isn’t covered under your policy. Ask about “events like airport closures due to protests,…
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