Tips for Having a Safe Business Trip

While you are away on a business trip, there are a few ways you can protect yourself while you are out of town or out of the country.  Beginning at the airport, you will want to keep yourself and your luggage safe while getting through customs or finding a taxi.  You can also easily get lost when you are in an unfamiliar country or city, leaving you and your possessions vulnerable to those with less than good intentions.

Here are some safety tips you can use while travelling on your next business trip:

• Make copies of your important documents, such as passports, visas, credit cards and your driver's license, you are taking with you in case the originals are lost or stolen.  
• Carry your identity, passports or other documents close at hand.  Use a wallet to keep them organised and available if you need to show them to the hotel or other officials while you are travelling.  Be careful about putting your documents in a purse or backpack, they could be taken by pickpockets or snatched from you by thieves.
• Report any lost or stolen credit or debit cards immediately so they can be cancelled and your money and credit can be safe.
• Be careful about withdrawing money from an ATM or disposing of receipts and other items with your personal information on it to prevent identity theft.
• Don't pack any valuables in your checked luggage as they can be stolen by airport baggage handlers or accidentally picked up by someone mistaken your luggage for theirs.

If you do have items stolen or damaged on your trip, put in a claim with your corporate travel manager.  They will make a report to the company's travel insurance company so you can get reimbursed for your items.