If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world anything, it’s that the unexpected can arise at any moment. And it’s only by our wits and our ability to adapt that we can move beyond these unforeseen events, learn from what happened, and become better prepared.

But when you set out to go on vacation, the last thing anyone is thinking about is what could go wrong. 

Vacations are supposed to be a time where you can forget about your daily chores, your worries, struggles, and everything else that makes life stressful. And the last thing you’ll want to have happen on vacation is a problem that you could’ve planned ahead for.

When it comes to being prepared on vacation, the secret is to expect the unexpected. Or better still, plan for the worst while hoping for the best. 

Here we’ll detail a few common scenarios that may arise while out on vacation, and how to plan ahead to deal with them.

Vehicle Checklist 

If you’re going to be heading out on the open road for any distance for vacation, you’re going to want to be proactive when it comes to vehicle maintenance. 

For example, if you’re going to be traveling cross-country, you’re going to want to ensure that your car is operating at top performance and that you’ve had any existing vehicle problems fixed. Because the last thing you’ll want is to be broken down on the side of the road with no services for miles.

In addition, having adequate car insurance is also imperative while on the road as well. And this is because it’s not uncommon for a vacationing motorist to be involved in a car accident while traveling far from home; you want to be prepared for the worst, as well as have a good accident attorney on hand to ensure you receive due compensation for your injuries.

In order to be prepared, consider the following checklist prior to leaving home:

• Update insurance 
• Change oil and filter
• Check wipers
• Check all lights and signals 
• Top off all fluids 
• Ensure tires are balanced and inflated
• Inflate spare tire
• Have a road-safety kit
• First-aid kit 

Sticking to the above checklist will have you better prepared for any contingencies you might encounter while on the road. And as always, drive safely and defensively.

Make Copies of Important Documents 

If you’re going to be traveling overseas, you’re going to want to have documentation of your itinerary and of your important documents such as your passport and other forms of identification. 

When you travel abroad, situations may arise where you may become separated from your luggage, your traveling companions (if any), and your important documents. As such, it’s highly recommended that you leave copies of these documents with a trusted friend or family member prior to departing.

Additionally, it’s also recommended that you leave copies in your hotel room or wherever you’re staying. And if traveling with family, ensure each member has several copies of their information as well.

All in all, having several copies of all of your important documents will help you in the event that you have to prove your citizenship at any point while traveling abroad.

Plan for Inclement Weather

One thing that can totally ruin a vacation for anyone is the onset of inclement weather. And though our meteorologists today are fairly good at delivering accurate predictions (for the most part), it’s not uncommon for travelers to miss a flight due to impending weather, or be delayed for several days.

In addition to being delayed for a flight, weather can also play a huge role while traveling by car as well. 

In order to plan ahead for both, ensure that you’ve kept money set aside for an extra few nights’ stay if you have to hunker down in a hotel room to ride out the weather or the delay. This way you won’t be stuck sleeping in an airport, or in your car on the side of the road.

Planning ahead is the best way to navigate any obstacle that may be thrown your way while on vacation. And even though we don’t want to think about these things happening, planning for the worst is always the best strategy.