After a full year of lockdowns and quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the United States are more than ready for a well-deserved vacation. Traveling is a great way to refresh yourself, feel renewed with the energy you need to take on new challenges. After all, wouldn’t we all want to be on a beach somewhere, enjoying the hot air and the cool breeze? Maybe you’re more of a road trip type of person who doesn’t like a hot day. Well, imagine yourself on the open road, the air conditioner cranked up, and your favorite tunes blasting on the sound system. Whatever destination is your top pick, it’s a great idea to start thinking about local and international travel for the summer months, especially now that the COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to be distributed more widely.
That being said, it’s also important to take precautions when planning to visit a new (or old) destination. For example, travel insurance is never a bad thing to add to your list as you prepare to head out. This year, it’s also a good idea to check out the CDC guidelines updated by the CDC. To learn about travel insurance and why it’s a good idea to get some, read on.
You’re better off safe than sorry.
First of all, any travel plans entail a certain level of danger. That’s part of what makes them exciting and fun, and it’s part of why so many folks are missing their travel plans during this year of COVID-19. Travel insurance is just what it sounds like—an insurance policy that keeps you safe if something extreme happens. Plenty could go wrong. Your belongings could be stolen, you could get sick in a foreign country, you could wake up in the morning with food poisoning, your flight could be cancelled. Different insurance policies include different coverages, so be sure to compare and contrast to ensure you’re getting the policy that best matches your plans.
Hot days can be fun, but excess heat is dangerous.
Lying in the sun’s rays on a beach is fun, especially if you’ve been cooped up in a New York apartment due to COVID-19, but high temperatures can be dangerous, too. It’s essential to read up on tips for keeping yourself cool this summer and to use those tips. Heatstroke and dehydration can land you in the hospital, using the insurance you’d better have purchased before getting on a flight.
Air conditioning and ceiling fans will help, of course, but when you’re outside, it’s important to monitor your body temperature and use a damp cloth or an ice pack to keep your body temperature normal. Drinking plenty of cool water is also a good option. Actually, drinking is the best way to combat heat exhaustion of any kind, even if you keep the ceiling fan on and an open window nearby.
Cool temperatures can be a problem, too.
The cool temperature needs to be considered if your destination is a cold climate. Are you attempting international travel to view the aurora borealis? Or maybe you want to hike to a glacier in the Yukon? While you’ll want to keep unwanted heat away in the Caribbean, make sure you’re bringing enough equipment to keep what’s essentially a huge outdoor freezer from impacting your body heat too much. If you catch a chill overseas, you may also find yourself utilizing the travel insurance policy you purchased pre-trip.
Whether you’re road-tripping from New York to San Francisco, prepare yourself for the journey. Look carefully at CDC guidelines for COVID-19 (we’re not out of the woods quite yet), purchase comprehensive insurance, and be smart about the climate you’re visiting.
