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Tips to Help Make Your Next Business Trip Safe
Whether your next business trip takes you to another province, a conference down south, or even overseas, there are a number of things you can do before leaving home to help make sure you feel confident while on your trip.
- Keep credit cards and travellers' cheques, passports and other identification in several different places and make two photocopies of the main information page of your passport - one for someone staying at home and the other for you to keep separately from your passport.
- Use pockets or purses only for items you'll need frequently. Be sure to use a money belt or take advantage of hotel safety deposit boxes so that you won't be left without identification or money if your wallet is lost or stolen. If travelling overseas and you lose your passport, call the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate immediately as well as local authorities.
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With airfares creeping up again, more travellers will likely opt for less expensive, non-refundable tickets. Don't risk losing your entire travel investment should something unexpected happen. Purchase Cancellation & Interruption insurance to help protect your investment in case you have to cancel your trip, come home early, or stay later at your destination.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance at the same time you book your trip, as you are then protected from the moment you book your trip to the moment you return. This way, should one of the covered risks occur between the time you book your trip to the time you leave for your trip, and cause you to cancel your trip, you are covered.
- Airports are reporting longer waiting times for travellers as the result of new security measures. Go early to give yourself plenty of time to make your flight and avoid that stressful last-minute dash to the gate.
- Remember that medical treatment outside of Canada can be very expensive and your government health insurance plans, company benefits plan, or insurance offered with your credit card may only cover a limited portion of these costs. Find out exactly what you're covered for before you leave, and purchase travel insurance to fill in any coverage gaps.
- Make sure your passport is current. Some countries require that passports be valid six months beyond expected departure dates. Make sure you're aware of the individual requirements of the country you are visiting, including whether you will need a visa or be required to pay entry fees.
- Be sure to carry your travel insurance policy with you, along with the phone numbers you need to call in the event of an emergency. Leave a copy of this information at home with family or friends, as well.
- Make sure you're up to date on all your immunizations. Contact your doctor well in advance of your trip to see if you need any specific medication or immunizations. To find out more about medical issues related to international travel, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's website (www.TravelHealth.gc.ca).
- Medication that is legal in Canada may not necessarily be legal in the country you are visiting. If you're bringing prescription pills, check to make sure they are allowed in the country you are visiting and be sure to bring a copy of your prescription.
- Check to see if any travel advisories or warnings have been issued for your destination.
- Gastrointestinal illness is one of the most common illnesses affecting travellers. To minimize the risk of such discomfort, consume only foods that have been well cooked. Fruits and vegetables should be freshly peeled or cooked. Drink bottled beverages, especially water, or hot drinks such as coffee or tea. Avoid ice that isn't made with purified water. And wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
- Provide your family and friends with a copy of your itinerary and keep them informed of any changes. Be sure to give them your daily contact information, copies of the identification page of your passport, and travel insurance information.
- If your spouse is going with you, tell your neighbours you're going on a trip. Ask if your neighbours can pick up your mail, park a car in your driveway and, if need be, shovel snow. Also be sure to suspend daily newspaper delivery, as a pile of papers on the stoop is an obvious sign that nobody is at home. Just don't forget to return the favour to your neighbour.
- If you're travelling in warmer or tropical climates, don't forget to wear sunscreen that blocks out both UVA and UVB rays - SPF 15 or higher is recommended.
Learn more about our travel insurance
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Choosing the right travel insurance
Learn about the different travel insurance coverages we sell through travel agents.
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