Summer Travel Safety Tips from Allianz

From heat waves to hurricanes, summer travel has proven to be quite unpredictable. Whether your travel plans have been impacted by current events or climbing temps, or if you’re considering booking a last-minute getaway, it’s a good time for a refresher on the benefits of travel insurance.

Allianz Global Assistance, a leading travel insurance and assistance company, has put together the below travel tips to help keep you protected this summer – and don’t forget, buying when you book helps protect you from the unpredictable and can often save you time and money.

Hurricane Season

Last year, Allianz Global Assistance received a total of 6,700 claims from customers whose travel plans were impacted by hurricanes or storms, and this year, as of July 19, the company has received 352 claims for Tropical Storm Barry. It is extremely important to buy travel insurance as soon as you book a flight or cruise because if you wait to shop around, and a hurricane impacting your destination is identified and named, you can no longer buy a plan that protects you from the impact of that hurricane. Insured customers may be reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if they need to cancel due to severe weather conditions covered by their plan.

Heat Wave in Europe, U.S.

Prolonged or intense exposure to hot temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke. Be sure to stay hydrated, use sunscreen, take breaks inside air-conditioned spaces and seek medical attention immediately if you get ill. The right travel insurance policy from Allianz Global Assistance can also cover the costs of treatment for unforeseen illnesses like these while traveling. Allianz’s 24/7 assistance team will also make sure to recommend the closest appropriate medical facility and can even arrange for your medical transport home if necessary.

Illness Abroad

With the Dominican Republic in the news recently, Allianz has received a total of 60 calls on the customer service side relating to travel to the island country. For any trip, if you feel sick before you depart, check with your doctor to make sure it's okay to travel. If they say you're too sick to go, file a travel insurance claim and get your money back so you can travel another time. If you get sick while traveling, seek medical attention right away. Your travel insurance provider can direct you to the closest appropriate medical facility and may pay for your care and arrange and pay for your medical transport home for a covered medical emergency. And by downloading the free TravelSmart app from Allianz, you’ll have access to several useful features including policy information, a hotline to our assistance team, international hospital search and more.