Smart Traveler Enrollment Program<\/a> (STEP), a free service that sends you email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.<\/p>\nKnow the laws.<\/strong> Clement said it\u2019s important to research the rules and laws whenever you visit a foreign country so that you don\u2019t end up making a mistake that gets you arrested. Otherwise, you can risk \u201cdetainment for things that you wouldn\u2019t realize,\u201d she said. \u201cLike, in some of these countries if you spit your gum out on the street, you\u2019re arrested. If you dress inappropriately, if you\u2019re holding hands\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYou\u2019ve got to make sure that you respect the culture [of the country] that you\u2019re going to, and you need to know ahead of time. It\u2019s super important,\u201d she said, noting that a lot of people \u201cget themselves into trouble because they happen to do something silly that wasn\u2019t classed as silly in that particular country.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/ins> <\/div>\nConsider purchasing a K&R policy.<\/strong> Clement said that kidnap & ransom (K&R) policies are seeing a sharp uptick in recent months, both for affluent families and business travelers. Policies can cover ransom payments, crisis negotiator fees, emergency evacuation and related expenses. Coverage may include kidnap & ransom, extortion, threats of violence, wrongful detention, political evacuation, express kidnappings (short-term abductions to drain bank and digital accounts), and medical emergencies in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.<\/p>\nK&R policies can also offer key benefits such as immediate access to professional security consultants and crisis response teams, which Clement considers crucial. The important part is \u201caligning yourself with resources to get you through whatever that crisis is going to be,\u201d she said. \u201cThe bonus would be if there\u2019s an insurance policy attached to it that pays for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Have a team in place.<\/strong> Even if you don\u2019t purchase K&R coverage, make sure to have a briefing with a security firm before you travel to even a moderately risky area, Clement advised. She said most of the security firms HUB works with \u201chave access to the underground world and they\u2019ll sweep the travel itinerary before you travel\u201d to identify any safety concerns.<\/p>\nClement said it\u2019s important to have a specific contact person in case of emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is to know who that responder is ahead of time\u2014not just a 1-800 number,\u201d she said. Whether you have a K&R policy or you consult with a crisis management team on your own, \u201cresearch who that person\u2019s going to be who is going to take care of you.\u201d In an emergency situation, \u201cif you don\u2019t have that right person in place who knows the currency and the language, you\u2019re in trouble,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Be ready for a medical emergency.<\/strong> It\u2019s also important to plan for a potential medical emergency, Clement said, especially since most health insurance has limited or no coverage for those traveling outside the U.S. Beyond the usual packing of extra medication and medical supplies, she advised those with pre-existing conditions especially to research local hospitals and talk to an expert to create a medical evacuation plan.<\/p>\nClement said that HUB\u2019s portfolio of resources includes access to doctors that will put together medical preparedness plans for traveling executives and families. If you have a medical emergency while traveling overseas, like a brain aneurysm or critical illness, \u201cit\u2019s a matter of life or death,\u201d she said. \u201cThose first minutes and hours are critical.\u201d If you have an emergency team ready to bring in a helicopter to get you to the right hospital, \u201cthe survival rate is really good, but if you don\u2019t have any of that in place ahead of time it could be fatal,\u201d she warned.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t go if you don\u2019t have to.<\/strong> \u201cIf you\u2019re traveling, you have to be aware right now. Everything is at risk. Listen to the resources. If they tell you not to travel to a certain area, don\u2019t go,\u201d Clement said.<\/p>\nIf your destination has a high-risk alert, don\u2019t go. \u201cIf there\u2019s an advisory team that\u2019s advising you not to go\u2014and these are safety and security experts, former government officials, military officials\u2014if they\u2019re telling you not to go unless it\u2019s extremely necessary, don\u2019t go, because you\u2019re already inviting the conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n
When possible, take advantage of video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, which make it easy to conduct business meetings without having to leave the country\u2014or even the office.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if you do have to travel, make sure you align yourself with somebody who has boots on the ground in that country, who can help you with the language and the currency if something does come up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Take extra precautions.<\/strong> You can\u2019t be too overcautious, Clement said. That starts with watching what information you share with the public.<\/p>\n\u201cPeople have to be really careful what they post on social media because it is an invitation for somebody to go after you or your family members,\u201d she said. Don\u2019t post anything that can give the location of your home or help criminals catalog your belongings. And especially don\u2019t post information about when you\u2019re going to be away. If you want to post pictures of your trip, wait until after you return home.<\/p>\n
More importantly, Clement said, don\u2019t post any details about your future travel plans. Knowing your destination and the duration of your stay gives criminals time to research and plan ahead.<\/p>\n
She also advised travelers to consider using a fake name if you have a driver picking you up at the airport so they can\u2019t research your name before you get there.<\/p>\n
It might be wise to wipe banking and other financial information off your phone before you travel so that criminals can\u2019t use it to access your accounts, she said.<\/p>\n
Clement said that HUB is also counseling travelers to have a codeword to alert their company or loved ones if they\u2019re in a crisis situation\u2014for example, if someone is trying to get them to initiate a wire transfer or to make a call home under duress.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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