Travel accidents happen all the time, but what’s scarier is when they happen overseas; away from the familiarity and comfort of home. But this doesn’t mean that you should stay at home and lock yourself in your room. Instead, read this to fully prepare yourself for the worst so that if it happens, it doesn’t take you by surprise.

• Rental Car Accident

Getting into an accident overseas can be a stressful situation with potential angry drivers cursing at you in a foreign language. It may be frustrating especially if you are alone but here are some ways to cope with the issue.

How to cope:

Take down the particulars of the other driver and take a video of the damage to the car and the surrounding area. Then, call the rental company to report the accident. Most, if not all, car-rental companies have emergency numbers written down for you in the rental booklet or stuck on the windshield. While waiting for help to arrive, dial your insurer’s hotline to clarify the necessary information you need for a claim. They will also guide you through how to handle the situation. You will then have to file a police report for your insurance claim. If you’re near farmland and it is a situation where livestock have been harmed, get the name of the farmer and his insurance policy.

Prevention:

Most car accidents occur when the driver is inattentive to the road situation or unfamiliar with the rules. To avoid this from happening, educate yourself on the rules pertaining to that city and do not drive when you’re tired. Additionally, to minimise the financial burden of an accident, ensure that you are well covered by the student travel insurance from your home country.

• Natural Disasters

Singapore’s geography means that we don’t see natural disasters happening on our shores (the closest would be falling trees during thunderstorms). But that doesn’t mean that it is the same overseas.
How to cope:

When disaster strikes, the easiest way to survive it is to follow the instructions of the local authorities who are trained to deal with such situations. Do not attempt to salvage your belongings if the disaster is something severe- your life is more precious than material items. If phone lines are not down, contact the local Singapore Embassy and check in with your loved ones to let them know you are safe.

Prevention:

While it is hard to avoid natural disasters, there are some ways in which you could mediate the situation. The most important tip is to check travel advisories of your destination country to keep yourself abreast with the latest. Don’t forget to register with the Singapore Embassy so that they know to look out for you in an emergency. Additionally, share your itinerary with your loved ones so they know of your whereabouts and carry copies of essential documents with you for identification.

• Injured Abroad

The biggest bummer of all the mishaps would be getting injured while abroad. This puts a damper on all your trips and forces you to make amendments to it.

How to cope:

If the injury is superficial, visiting the local pharmacy should do the trick in solving your problems. However, if it requires more serious attention, the best would be to call your insurer for help or go to your hotel concierge/hostel master. In the case of a third world country, you may be better off contacting your local embassy to arrange medical treatment should it be severe.

Prevention:

Prevention is the best course of action for injuries. Always wear your seatbelt in moving vehicles and load up on protective gear when doing adventurous activities. Furthermore, pack important medication and first aid gear if you know you are going somewhere with little to no access to medical supplies.

• Lost Valuables

You may have lost your valuables while you were ride-sharing or you could have gotten it stolen. Whatever the case, losing important resources can mean immense stress on you.

How to cope:

Items lost while ride-sharing are now easily recoverable given that you have your trip history stored in your phone. However, if you have dishonest drivers, prepare to say goodbye to your handheld device. If you lose your passport, contact your local embassy to get it replaced. If your wallet is stolen, call your bank to get the credit and/or debit cards cancelled immediately. Once done, be sure to call your insurer to notify them of the loss and get a report filed.

Prevention:

Always be alert especially if you feel that people are pushing you or trying to divert your attention. Keep photocopies of your passport and identification cards in your luggage and hand carry in case of an emergency. Turn on tracking applications on your mobile devices in the event that they get stolen or lost. Alternatively, carry travel safe backpacks that have secure zips and are made from durable thief-proof material.

• Accommodation Cancels

Be it hotels, hostels or Airbnb’s, we’ve heard horror stories of people being stranded with no accommodation due to the host flaking on them. What then do you do if you’re in this sticky situation?

How to cope:

Remain calm and talk to the front desk politely. If you have proof of booking, show it to them and more often than not, they will honour that reservation in some way. However, if you’re stuck with accommodation that refuses to, despite proof, ask for a refund if it has been paid in full.

Prevention:

Before your trip, it is good practice to call your accommodation to confirm your booking. Especially if you booked through a third party website (eg. Agoda, Booking.com) you should definitely call the hotel or hostel directly to ensure your reservation is secured. If you plan to arrive late, advise the host/hotel so that they know to hold your reservation.Traveling may not always be easy but this should not stop you from exploring the world and expanding your horizon.

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