How to prevent and remedy situations that can ruin your trip?

How to prevent and remedy situations that can ruin your trip?

How to deal with a few situations that can ruin your trip Whatever its preparation, an organized trip is never safe from the unexpected.

 

Several problems such as the theft of your passport, the loss of your driver's license, an accident or an attack can occur along the way or during your stay abroad.

 

Overview of some risky situations and the solutions to be implemented to prevent or remedy them.

 

Loss of your identity documents: what to do?

 

In case of loss of your documents such as passport, driving license or identity card, the good reflex is to think about where you saw them the last time. Indeed, the stress of the trip can sometimes lead to a simple forgetfulness or poor storage of your files.

 

In the event of the theft or permanent loss of your passport , the first thing to do is to inform the local authorities and then notify your consulate. This can either provide you with a pass to allow you to return to France, or provide you with a temporary passport, also called an emergency passport, to be able to continue your journey.

 

As for the driving license, the first step is to go to the local authorities to declare its loss. The local authorities will have to provide you with a document certifying the loss of your license. This will in turn be used to obtain a receipt from the police station once you return to France. This receipt is valid for two months, during which time you will need to request a duplicate of your driving licence.

 

Impossible to get on the plane: how to react?

 

Being unable to board a plane is a mishap that can happen to anyone. This situation can come from different causes:

 

In the event of a cancellation of the flight by the company, you are entitled to compensation covering your accommodation, your transport and even your meals.

If it is an overbooking and the negotiation with the other passengers is unsuccessful, you can claim compensation from the airline.

Finally, if this is related to your delay, a refund or modification is still possible in certain cases. This depends on your type of ticket and/or the subscription of cancellation insurance which covers this type of risk.

In any case, the easiest way is to immediately contact your airline or your travel agency to inform you of the procedure to follow and the possible reimbursement methods.

 

I have been the victim of an accident or assault: what reaction should I adopt?

 

In the event of a serious accident, the local authorities are responsible for notifying your consulate. After the emergency treatment, you can be repatriated or treated on site. You will be responsible for medical expenses, reimbursement being only possible if you have travel insurance including medical expenses cover and repatriation assistance .

 

If you are the victim of an assault, you must file a complaint with the country's police services, which will take care of an investigation. Your consulate should also be informed of the detailed circumstances of the assault. It is good to know that if you cannot obtain compensation from the author of the aggression or from other local organizations, in certain cases, you can ask for compensation from the CIVI (Commission d'Indemnisation des Victimes d'Infractions) once back in France.

 

How to avoid these disastrous situations during a trip?

 

An informed traveler is worth two! Although there is no miracle cure to avoid disastrous situations during a trip, the main thing is to have taken all the necessary precautions.

 

In terms of preparation, you can find out beforehand about the deadline for check-in and boarding. As a precaution, you can also provide an alternative solution if your plane takes off without finding information on other flights with the same destination.

 

Likewise, in order to avoid the theft of your passport and identity documents, it is best not to expose them and to always keep them with you. In addition, a copy of these documents will be of great use to you when reporting loss or theft.

 

On the compensation side, having a good insurance policy is the most effective way to have coverage in the event of an accident or health problem abroad.

 

Do you have any other advice or comments on the disastrous situations a traveler may encounter? Share your opinion in the comments of this article.

 

Category: Advice for travelers