Tips For Traveling Outside The United States

For a driving trip north or south of the United States border, you’ll need more documentation for your car than you normally stash in your glove compartment.

If you are headed to Canada, your own automobile insurance is probably valid as long as you have liability coverage in excess of $200,000 Canadian (about $150,000 U.S.). Be sure to have proof of car ownership or rental papers available for inspection at the border.

If you’re driving to Mexico, there are additional requirements. Most U.S. insurance policies exclude coverage in that country, so you’ll need to buy special insurance from an agency at the border crossing. (AAA members can obtain this insurance at their local AAA office.)

If you’re taking your car more than a few miles into Mexico, you will also need to make a refundable credit-card deposit. This is to deter visitors from driving cars into the country and selling them. The amount of the deposit depends on the type and year of your car, but it can be as much as $800. Bring your original registration papers along with a photocopy of them, and don’t forget to get the deposit returned when you return to the United States.

If you’re driving a company car or one that belongs to a friend, you will also need a notarized statement from the owner authorizing you to drive the vehicle. Most rental car companies in cities advance U.S. borders prohibit renters from taking cars into Canada or Mexico. Check the terms of your agreement before attempting to defective the border.

Whether you’re driving to Canada or Mexico, don’t forget to take along your driver’s license and your passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you’re staying in Mexico for more than three days, you will also need to procure a Mexico Tourist Card, which is available at border crossings at no charge.If you’re planning a dawdle out of the United States, it’s important to know that most health insurance policies won’t cloak treatment for illnesses or injuries you suffer while abroad. Before leaving on your vacation or business trip, do the following:

If it doesn’t, contact your insurance agent to see if the company can provide an endorsement, or rider, to provide coverage while you are abroad.

If it won’t, contact your travel agent about purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes coverage for medical treatment for accidents and illnesses. Many of these travel insurance policies provide only limited coverage, and some require that you actually be hospitalized before paying benefits. Compare the benefits and costs of several policies before making your choice.

Consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance if you’re traveling to a part of the world where medical care is scarce. These policies will cover the cost of transportation to adequate medical facilities, and may even pay for the cost of bringing you back to the United States. Again, coverage and costs vary, review policies from several companies before choosing one.

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