How to travel with peace-of-mind

‘Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.’ — Francis Bacon

Considering many of us have roots in other countries and a spirit of adventure, it comes as no surprise that millions of Australians travel overseas each year. Travelling can be a fun and rewarding experience. Most of us return home with great stories, great bargains and great memories to share with family and friends.

However, in some cases, emergencies and accidents when travelling could leave you and your loved ones at home struggling.

Plan ahead

Before you hop on that plane, bus or train, put your affairs in place and make sure you and your loved ones are cared for. It doesn’t matter how, where or when you travel, anyone over 18 should consider making a will and power of attorney before they travel. To the backpackers out there, you aren’t exempt, in fact given the unpredictability of backpacking it’s a good idea to get your affairs in order in case something unexpected happens on your travels.

Don’t become a statistic

It is a sad truth that each year almost 1000 Australians die whilst travelling overseas*, usually through accident or from illness. Don’t become a statistic, get things sorted by writing a will and preparing your powers of attorney as part of your travel preparations.

You might also want to consider keeping the whereabouts of your will, power of attorney and important travel information together for a trusted family member or friend to access it in the event of an emergency. By doing a little extra travel preparation today, you can set off with the peace of mind that you have all your bases covered.

How to get sorted

A convenient way to get things sorted is with the State Trustees $69 Online Will. Complete 8 easy sections at your own pace.

Complete will online

* Source: http://smartraveller.gov.au