Common Problems You Might Face During an Overseas Travel

6 Common Travel Problems You Are Likely to Face Abroad

There are endless problems that you might face when you are travelling abroad. Right from getting insured to getting lost in a place where you don't know how to speak their native language. Keeping them in mind, we have come up with some travel tips to avoid the 6 most common but difficult scenarios that you might face in a foreign land:

1. Getting Lost

   Losing your way in a foreign place is the number one risk while travelling. However, getting lost in a foreign country can be dangerous for solo travellers, especially if you don't speak their native language. It can be stressful, and you might panic without reliable support.

   Travel Advice for You

   Always keep an offline translator tool while travelling abroad. With the help of this tool, you won't have to rely entirely on the internet to communicate with the local people. Also, we suggest that you download offline maps for the places you are planning to visit. Usually, these offline maps by Google are small in size, roughly between 20 to 50 MB.

   Additionally, carry a power bank to charge your phone in case your battery dies while travelling. Apart from this, you should practice situational awareness. This is a process of remembering important landmarks while travelling to a new place. Try to be like a sponge and soak up all your surroundings. Moreover, if you have a travel insurance plan, it can offer necessary support through tough times in your journey.

2. Getting Sick or Injured

   No one wants to get injured or sick abroad, but you cannot rule out its possibility. Moreover, if you are unfamiliar with the place you are travelling to, it becomes difficult to find a medical care provider who can help you. But what if you already have a health condition and it flares up during the trip?

   Travel Advice for You

   Always carry a first-aid kit and essential medicines for a trip abroad. They will come in handy in case of common issues like fever, motion sickness, upset stomach, headache, etc. Also, save the contact number of the local Embassy and the medical care providers before leaving your country.

   Other than these, don't forget to buy an international travel insurance plan. It will cover all major medical emergencies in a foreign land. Especially in Europe, where healthcare is expensive abroad, travel Insurance for Schengen visa can financially protect you.

   Finally, if you have an existing health issue (like high BP or thyroid or asthma), then many insurers also offer add-ons covering your PED. Always declare your health issues to your insurer and inform them of your hospitalisation within 24-48 hours.

   They also provide essential coverage like medical evacuation and repatriation in case of an accident, illness, death, etc.

3. Being Robbed

   As scary as it may seem, getting robbed while exploring a foreign country is a real possibility. Especially if you're travelling solo or unfortunately fall victim to targeted scams, you can lose much more than your wallet. It can not only part you from your essentials but can also leave you stranded. From cash and credit cards to your passport and other documents, there is a lot at stake.

   Travel Advice for You

   Buy travel insurance that covers the loss of your belongings while travelling abroad. Whenever you head out to explore a place, carry limited cash and a notarised copy of your passport (digitally too) instead of carrying the original one. Besides this, have some kind of emergency fund for any financial emergencies you might face while travelling abroad.

   Also, if you get robbed, do not panic. File a police report for every item lost. It will be required to raise your insurance claim later. Additionally, block your stolen debit and credit cards by calling your bank or credit card company. In case your passport or visa has been stolen, your insurance company will assist you during the whole process and cover associated costs.

4. Flight Delay or Cancellation

   When travelling abroad, you may find that your flight has been delayed for a long time, or worse, cancelled. Such situations can be physically as well as financially draining. You may have to either wait for hours or book another flight. Your hotel bookings may also go to waste if your flight is delayed for an extended period of time.

   Travel Advice for You

   It is always a good idea to have a trip insurance policy which covers flight delays and cancellation-related losses. Also, your insurer will cover extra accommodation expenses in case you need to wait for your flight overnight.

   Always check your flight status before you head to the airport. Most of the rescheduling notifications come at the last minute. You should also download your airline app, as it will give you all the updates. Moreover, you can also search directly on Google to check the status of your flight.

   In case of flight cancellation, you may have to cancel all your plans if you're unable to find a replacement flight. In such cases, you can get reimbursed for many non-refundable bookings and the unused portion of your trip.

5. Losing Your Mobile Phone

   Usually, people use their mobile phones in public places for taking pictures, making videos, or surfing on the internet during their trips. However, from pickpocketing to freak accidents, you may end up losing your phone.

   Travel Advice for You

   The solution to this common problem is to use a sling bag while travelling and not to wave your phone unnecessarily in public places. Make sure to back up all your passwords and contact numbers digitally and physically, if possible.

   In case you lose it, try to call your own number from a borrowed phone. There are chances that you might have simply left it somewhere, and either you will hear it ringing or someone else will answer the call.

   You can also use the 'Find My Phone' feature available on most cell phones. It will either play a sound from your lost device or locate it on the map. However, it will not work if your phone is switched off or is in aeroplane mode. Also, keep your phone's GPS always ON while travelling, as it can help you to locate your phone in a lot of ways.

6. Legal Troubles

   Nobody plans to get into trouble, especially involving the law. However, rules abroad may force you to compensate another person if you cause them or their property unintentional damage. What if you accidentally bump into an expensive vase that you were only meaning to look at during window shopping? Or what if your bike crashes into someone's Mercedes-Benz because you lost your balance out of nowhere?

   Travel Advice for You

   If you are held liable for harming someone or their property abroad, it is very likely that it will cost you more than you can guess. Travel insurance is your best bet for such cases. You can get covered for these legal expenses once your insurer is convinced that the damage was not intentional. If something happens abroad, record or take pictures of the damage, do not tamper with the items/objects, inform police or concerned authorities immediately and finally, contact your insurer for further help.

Conclusion

Travelling is both fun as well as tiring. Do not expect your trip to be perfect every time, but it is important to be composed all the time. Make sure to incorporate the above-mentioned tips before planning your next holiday. Also, buy an international travel insurance plan as it will cover you in case of any emergencies that might occur during your foreign trip.