Traveling can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Some people get anxious about what might happen if…
… their luggage is lost
… they miss their plane
… they get sick
… their passport is stolen
Luckily, good travel insurance can help with these situations and expenses. But what happens if you are asleep in your hotel room and a massive earthquake hits or a war breaks out? For these scenarios and many more related situations, STEP can be a lifesaver.
What is STEP?
STEP stands for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program which “is a free service to allow U.S. Citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate”, according to step.state.gov.
How does this help you in an emergency?
Once enrolled you will receive updates from the Embassy about safety conditions at your destination to help you make informed decisions about your travel plans. Enrollment is a way for the U.S. Embassy to know you are there to contact you quickly in the case of a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency. They will also be able to help you communicate with friends and family during an emergency.
While we hope everyone always has the best vacation experience, we understand that things do happen out of our control. It can be one less thing to stress about, when you know that someone else knows you are there and is looking out for you.
Cheers to your next adventure!