As the season for Spring Break travel is upon us, it’s important to note that a number of popular Spring Break destinations may not be the safest places to travel – for families or for students traveling on their own away from their families.
- Mexico – Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan are all highly popular Spring Break destinations, but each comes with a number of travel warnings including situations of violence and crime.
- Jamaica – While the two international airports in Jamaica have had regular reports of violence, many of the popular resort areas are considered safe as long as spring-breakers remain on resort property.
- South Padre Island – Even on U.S. soil, popular Spring Break destinations come with some danger. Mexican gangs competing for control of drug trafficking routes have been in the news for many years, and with the border so close, many spring-breakers are tempted to wander near the border to enjoy cheaper alcohol and the lack of drinking age enforcement.
It is important that U.S. students who are traveling to these locations understand three things:
- U.S. laws will not protect them outside the borders
- Crimes against U.S. tourists often go unpunished in foreign countries
- Law enforcement in other countries is often understaffed
How can travel insurance help Spring Break travelers?
Families and students traveling alone need to be aware of the dangers of their intended destination and purchase travel insurance protection that will provide coverage in the event something happens.
- Parents traveling with children can purchase a travel insurance plan with medical evacuation coverage that provides for the return of minor children if the parent or parents are hospitalized.
- Students traveling alone can purchase emergency medical coverage to provide coverage for necessary medical treatment and transportation.
- Many policies provide trip interruption coverage as well, so if the traveler is a victim of assault, they can abandon their trip and return home early while recovering their unused travel costs.
Important note: if any loss is incurred as a result of intoxication or participation in an illegal act, then the coverage is considered null and void.
