While most vacations go off without a hitch, it is always a good idea to be prepared for the occasional speed bump. Knowing your rights and the proper steps to take in each predicament will help to guide you through the emergency. Here are three of the most common vacation emergencies and what you need to do in each situation:
The Airline Lost Your Luggage
Even the best-laid plans cannot prevent the airlines from losing your luggage. If you are lucky, your luggage will be delivered back to you shortly. However, knowing what to do in the event of a long-term delay or complete loss will help you to salvage your vacation. Once you realize that the luggage is delayed, you need to report it to the ground crew at the airport immediately. Ask the customer service representative to file a report so that you have a paper trail. You should also check the fine print of your ticket to understand how your specific airline will deal with the misplaced luggage.
Medical/Dental Emergency
Nothing can ruin a trip faster than a medical or dental emergency. Before you leave for your destination, be sure that you have packed all of your insurance information. Locating the closest urgent care clinic upon arrival will give you the peace of mind of knowing where to go should somebody get sick. According to dentists, if you've had a tooth knocked out, the best thing to do is clean the tooth with milk or saline and then put it back in the socket as quickly as possible, biting down with a handkerchief to hold it in place. You can then seek medical treatment from a dental provider in the area. Lastly, travel insurance is always a good idea as it will help you to recoup the costs that you lose as a result of any type of medical emergency.
Losing Wallet
Everyone knows the dread that comes with realizing that you have lost your wallet. According to travel risk management experts, losing your wallet on vacation is even worse. Once you realize that you are no longer in possession of your wallet, your first step should be to cancel all of your credit cards. If you are flying home without identification, you need to arrive at the airport extra early. If you are traveling abroad, the U.S. Embassy will be able to help you get what you need to travel back home.
Preparation for a variety of mishaps is the best way to ensure a seamless travel experience. When it comes to travel, you can never be too prepared for the unexpected to occur.
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