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Love traveling to hot, dry, or fire-prone vacation destinations? It’s important to know what to do in a wildfire so you can act fast and stay safe if one affects your trip. Discover the steps to take, plus see how we can help if you have a Travelex policy.

If you’re a sun-seeker on vacation, it’s likely you’ve visited — or want to visit — popular warm places like California, Hawaii, or Greece. And while these beautiful spots can give you the long, sunny days you’re after, they can also be prone to wildfires.

Don’t let this stop you from going on vacation, though. Instead, make preparing for potential wildfire smoke or flames part of your planning process to help cool your concerns.

"Knowing what to do in a wildfire when you're on vacation can make all the difference.

“Before you leave home, check the news or government websites to see if wildfire smoke or flames are affecting your destination and speak to your local accommodation about an evacuation plan upon arrival. They’ll know where to go for safety and the signs to look out for.

“If a wildfire does impact your destination, do your best to stay calm, so you can protect yourself and follow instructions from the local authorities."

Frank Harrison, Regional Security Director Americas at Travelex Insurance’s 24/7 assistance provider, Zurich Travel Assist.

Not sure what to do in a wildfire or if there’s smoke or flames nearby while you’re on vacation? We can help you understand how to stay safe, from staying updated to knowing evacuation routes.

5 steps to take if you’re vacationing near wildfire smoke or flames:

1. Remain calm and stay informed.

2. Call our 24/7 travel assistance provider.

3. Pack and prepare in case of evacuation.

4. Follow evacuation procedures and move to a safer location.

5. File a travel insurance claim.

Vacation safety tips: What to do in a wildfire

Step 1: Remain calm and stay informed

If you’re near wildfire smoke or flames on vacation, staying calm is key to staying safe. One of the best ways to try to stay relaxed is to keep up to date on the latest information. Because if you’re informed, you’re less likely to need to make rash decisions if the situation escalates.

Local authorities are your best resource when it comes to knowing what to do in a wildfire while you’re on vacation. They know the area and are best equipped to deal with incidents. Follow the social media accounts of local authorities or national park services for real-time alerts. It's also helpful to sign up for emergency notifications through your phone.

It’s smart to frequently check local news stations and weather apps for the latest information on wildfire movements and air quality, so you're ready to act quickly if needed.

Did you know: When you travel with a Travelex policy, you’ll get access to our Travel On app, which contains the phone numbers for local authorities. Just search your destination in the app to find key contacts and more. Plus, if you share your location with us, we can share updates on the status of the wildfire and provide additional support if needed.

Step 2: Call our 24/7 travel assistance provider

Did you protect your trip with a Travelex policy? If so, our travel assistance provider, Zurich Travel Assist, is available to support you 24/7 whether you’re simply nervous about wildfire smoke in the skies or required to evacuate because of a wildfire. The easiest way to reach them is by tapping the assistance button in our Travel On app.

You can also contact our travel assistance provider by:

  • Calling from the U.S./Canada at 1-800-555-0870
  • Calling overseas at 1-416-977-1803
  • Emailing [email protected]

Need medical care because wildfire smoke or flames affected you during your vacation? Our assistance provider can help you find reliable doctor’s offices or hospitals for in-person or telehealth visits. They can also help explain your travel insurance coverage for wildfire-related scenarios before you file a claim.

Step 3: Pack and prepare in case of evacuation

If there’s wildfire smoke nearby but the authorities have advised everyone to remain in place, prepping for a potential evacuation can help ease your mind while allowing you to still enjoy your vacation. Try to keep your belongings packed up and ready to go in your accommodations. If you’re traveling with others, make an action plan you’re all comfortable with.

If you can’t keep all your items packed, make sure to at least have a go-bag ready with essentials. Try to include your forms of identification (such as your passport), medications, cash, and basic toiletries. You may also want to pack snacks, water bottles, a portable phone charger, and a first-aid kit.

If you’re staying in a hotel, learn its evacuation procedure. Speak to the staff and make a transportation plan so you know how you’ll evacuate to a safer location if needed. If you arrived at your destination in your own or rented car, keep your car fueled up and know the quickest routes to safety.

What do you do if wildfire smoke pollutes the air at your destination before you evacuate? Follow these steps to stay healthier:

  • Stay indoors as much as possible, especially if you have breathing issues.
  • Use air conditioning to filter the air.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
  • Consider wearing an N95 mask outside (if you can access one).
  • Keep an eye on local air quality updates. Consider relocating to an area with cleaner air if conditions worsen.

Step 4: Follow evacuation procedures and move to a safer location

If wildfire smoke or flames are quickly approaching your destination, local authorities may order an evacuation of the area. Following evacuation procedures swiftly is essential for your safety and those around you.

In emergency situations like this, it’s not uncommon to feel nervous and worried. Do your best to stay calm and listen to local authorities' instructions through news updates or emergency alerts. They can help guide you through the situation and are best equipped to help keep you safe.

When it’s time, grab your pre-packed or essential belongings, and make sure everyone in your travel group is with you, ready to go, and knows the plan.

Use the safest and quickest route to evacuate suggested by the authorities, steering clear of smoky areas if possible. Once you're at a designated safe location, check in with friends or family to let them know you're okay. If there are others at the evacuation area with you, remember to look out for each other — it’s likely an unnerving situation for all vacationers and locals affected by the fire.

Continue to follow the advice of the local authorities, whether that’s returning to your vacation spot when it’s safe, moving to another area, or returning home. Our travel assistance services are here to help if you need them, so contact our assistance provider any time.

Step 5: File a travel insurance claim

If wildfire smoke or a wildfire affects your trip, it’s likely you’ll need to change plans to ensure you stay safe. This could include booking a room at a different hotel, taking unplanned transportation to another area, or coming home with damaged luggage. Or it could even mean canceling your trip entirely.

If you purchased a Travelex plan for your vacation, we may be able to reimburse you for wildfire-related trip mishaps. You'll find your wildfire coverage in your description of coverage, so make sure you read it before buying and during your trip if you’re affected. If you still have questions, reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-819-9004.

Ready to file your travel insurance claim? Collect documents like receipts, proof of loss, and medical bills to submit with your claim. Then, file a claim online or contact our claims team.

Be a smart traveler: Know what to do in other vacation situations

From emergencies to less urgent travel obstacles, our travel assistance provider can help you in several vacation situations beyond wildfires.

When you travel with us, our assistance provider can help you with:

Feel extra informed and safe with our Travel On app

Keep our travel assistance provider just a tap away with our Travel On app. Plus, it’s easy to stay updated with real-time safety alerts, destination information, potential risks, and more.

 

Discover more travel insurance benefits

Traveling can be unpredictable — from flight delays to luggage that doesn’t arrive at your destination with you. Focus more on enjoying your vacation and less on unexpected mishaps with our reliable coverage.

With a Travelex plan, we may reimburse you for these situations and more:

Want travel insurance you can depend on?

Vacation confidently with comprehensive coverage, 24/7 travel assistance, and award-winning technology. Get a quote now.

Want to focus less on worrying and more on vacationing? Here’s how our travel insurance can help save you money and make your trip smoother.

Traveling is usually fun and exciting, but sometimes unfortunate things do happen on a trip. Whether your airline goes on strike in Sweden or you catch the flu in France, the benefits of travel insurance can pay off (literally!). So, let’s see why our travel insurance is worth it for those “what if” moments.

7 situations when travel insurance is worth it

1. You get sick or hurt abroad.

2. You need to cancel your trip.

3. Your belongings are lost or stolen.

4. You have flight delays.

5. You need travel assistance.

6. Your plans include adventure activities.

7. A natural disaster affects your trip.

Reason 1: Travel insurance is worth it if you get sick or hurt abroad

Imagine catching a virus or breaking a bone while on vacation in another country. Medical treatments can be pricey, and your U.S. health insurance likely can’t help you abroad.

One of the top benefits of travel insurance is coverage for emergency medical expenses. With one of our Travelex plans, you can focus on feeling better, instead of footing the bill long-term.

“If you need medical care in another country, you will likely need to pay out-of-pocket for any services. Even if a country has nationalized health care, it may not cover people who are not citizens. Before you go, consider your insurance options in case you need care while traveling.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Our emergency assistance provider is here to help you 24/7 — whether you need to access travel health care, go to a hospital abroad, or even speak with medical staff who don’t speak your native language. We’re not just here to help pay for eligible bills; we can help you get the care you need in more ways than one. You can reach us quickly by tapping the assistance button in our Travel On app.

Reason 2: Travel insurance is worth it if you need to cancel your trip

Sometimes life throws curveballs — like sudden illnesses or severe weather — that cancel your plans. And when you call off your trip and you don’t have the right travel insurance, you'll likely lose the nonrefundable payments you made.

If you’re still asking yourself, “Should I get travel insurance in case I need to cancel my vacation?”, you’ll be interested to hear this: Trip cancellation is one of the most common reasons our travelers make a claim. Yes, over 65% of our travelers’ claims in 2023* were for canceled trips. When you cancel your trip for an eligible reason, travel insurance can reimburse you for the insured expenses you can't get back elsewhere.

Want to be able to cancel your trip for any reason? Our Ultimate plan offers a cancel for any reason upgrade that allows you to call off your trip no matter what happens if you meet all requirements. This way, you can feel more confident knowing you have the flexibility to cancel if needed.

Reason 3: Travel insurance is worth it if your belongings are lost, stolen, or delayed

Have you ever thought, “What if my luggage doesn’t arrive?”, while waiting for your checked suitcase at baggage claim?

Losing your baggage or someone stealing it can put a dent in your trip plans. And because you’re likely missing things you need for your vacation, you’ll have to purchase new belongings. Travel insurance can reimburse the cost to replace your essential items, so you can restock the items you need.

Travel insurance is worth it even if your bags are running late, because delayed baggage can mean you’ll be in your destination without your essential belongings for a long period of time. Travel insurance can reimburse you for items you need to purchase while waiting for your luggage to arrive if you’re traveling with one of our policies (up to the policy limit).

Reason 4: Travel insurance is worth it if you have flight delays

Flight delays are common, whether they’re because of severe weather, mechanical issues, or strikes. And a delayed flight can mean a delayed vacation, potentially affecting your plans.

When you have a flight delay, you may buy snacks and drinks to get you through your wait in the airport — or you may even need to book a hotel room for longer delays. Our travel insurance can help reimburse you for reasonable necessary things like food and lodging while you wait for your trip to continue. Your coverage may even reimburse the cost of your nonrefundable prepaid tours that you miss because of a flight delay.

So, if you’re still wondering, “Should I get travel insurance?”, remember this: without it, you’ll likely be left paying for all these unexpected costs yourself.

Reason 5: Travel insurance is worth it if you need travel assistance

If you need to go to a doctor on vacation or lose your passport, do you know what to do or who to call?

With a Travelex policy, you’ll have support any time you need it. Plus, our 24/7 travel assistance provider is easy to reach — just tap the assistance button in our Travel On app!

Reason 6: Travel insurance is worth it if your plans include adventure activities

Want to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or ride a horse through El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico? If something goes wrong during your activity, travel insurance may provide coverage for your emergency medical expenses or other unexpected costs.

At Travelex, our base plans offer coverage for adventure activities like kayaking, hiking, and surfing. Want to enjoy more thrilling activities like skiing, zip lining, bungee jumping, and skydiving? Consider adding our adventure activities upgrade to your Ultimate, Advantage, Essential, or Travel Med Go plan. Then, you can zip through the jungle or scuba dive at greater depths with extra confidence.

Reason 7: Travel insurance is worth it if the weather affects your trip

The weather can be unpredictable, and things like snowstorms or heavy rain can cause flight delays and cancellations. One of the benefits of travel insurance can be reimbursement for trip cancellation and delay when bad weather strikes.

Planning a summer vacation during hurricane season? Or visiting a seismically active area like Japan, where natural disasters may be more likely? No matter where you travel, natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes can happen suddenly — and quickly ruin your trip. With our travel insurance and travel assistance services, we can be there to help you navigate your trip plans, 24/7.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of travel insurance

Travel insurance is worth it for these seven reasons and more. Enjoy your vacation knowing you can lean on our travel assistance provider and reliable coverage. Get a quote now.

 

*2023 claim totals reflect claims made by our Travelex customers traveling on plans underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway. As of December 3, 2024, plans sold via travelexinsurance.com are underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company.

 

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