WHY BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Why travel insurance outside the U.S. is always necessary!
​
There is no better way to protect your vacation investment than by purchasing travel insurance. With the possibility of cancellations, flight delays, lost luggage or passports, medical emergencies and any other unexpected incidents, travel insurance can provide the reassurance and peace of mind that you need.
​
Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000. Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States, nor do the Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States.
​
While travel insurance is optional, it is highly recommended. We provide you with information to make an informed decision. Some things to take into consideration are: We can never predict when an unexpected emergency will arise. How willing are you to take the risk? Would you purchase a car and no insurance protection?
What is the difference between Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and the other Trusted Traveler programs?
​
TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are both Department of Homeland Security {DHS} Trusted Traveler Programs. TSA Pre-Check provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Global Entry members also receive TSA Pre-Check benefits as part of their membership. For more information on all of the DHS Trusted Traveler Programs use the DHS interactive Trusted Traveler Tool. Click here for more information: https://tsa.gov/travel
​
SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM {STEP}
What is STEP?
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP} 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.
Benefits of Enrolling in STEP
​
-
Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country to help you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
-
Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
-
Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. https://step.state.gov/step/
PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION
Knowing which documents you need when traveling internationally is essential to having a stress-free vacation. Prepare yourself by learning about the latest travel requirements and important information you need to know before traveling.
​
​
For additional information, call us at 505.670.1265
-
What documents are required when traveling internationally?You are required to have a U.S. Passport Book when traveling by air to any international location. If you are traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos), you are required to have a U.S. Passport Book or Card. ​ Please note: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate), a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. ​ ****IMPORTANT NOTE****: Some of the above information may have changed, we recommend you go online to: www.travel.state.gov and click on the International Travel tab for the most current information.
-
What is a U.S. Passport Card?The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.
-
How long does it take to get a passport?Processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances. During busier times, such as the summer travel season, customers are encouraged to expedite their applications if traveling in less than 10 weeks.
-
How long is a passport valid and when should I renew my passport?If you are over age 16 when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years. If you were age 15 or younger when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 5 years. The Issue Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your Passport Book or on the front of your Passport Card. If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine (9) months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six (6) months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. If your passport has already expired, you may still be able to renew your passport by mail.
-
How do I purchase or renew my passport?Detailed information about passports and international travel requirements, along with instructions for applying for a passport can be found at travel.state.gov. ​ *For information about passport requirements, please contact the U.S. Department of State.
-
ABOUT VISAS: Do I need a visa if I am a U.S. citizen?U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad they may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. When planning travel abroad, learn about visa requirements by country by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s Country Specific Travel Information. ​ *Find out more about the immigrant and non-immigrant visa process at the State Department’s visa main page. U.S. Passports and International Travel.