Travel is more dangerous than ever. Here are the biggest misconceptions travelers make.
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Don’t worry, the destination you’re visiting this summer is safe. If you use a VPN, you’re protected from hackers when you travel.
Oh, your travel insurance will always cover you.
Those are three of the most dangerous travel assumptions you can make when you travel this year.
Safe destinations can turn dangerous quickly. VPNs are just one weapon in your arsenal of tools to keep your devices safe when you’re on the road.
And travel insurance? Oh boy. Let’s just put it this way: If it’s not in the policy, don’t assume it’s covered.
“Travelers often hold many critical misconceptions,” says John Rose, the chief risk and security officer for ALTOUR, a global travel management company.
With the world becoming a more dangerous place — and with more people expected to travel in 2025 — many of these assumptions could land you in deep water. This week’s plane crashes in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia have only underscored the importance of travel safety.
Assumption 1: Travel insurance will cover “everything”
“Many travelers assume travel insurance is meant to cover every aspect of their 2025 trips,” says Jenna Hummer, a spokeswoman for Squaremouth. “While it can cover many travel mishaps, all policies have common exclusions that could affect traveler’s coverage.”
Coverage varies significantly between policies, especially when it comes to exclusions like pre-existing conditions or certain activities.
“It’s crucial for travelers to thoroughly review their policy to ensure it covers their specific needs, whether it’s adventure activities, medical evacuation or trip cancellations due to illness,” says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association.
That extends to health insurance benefits. Many policyholders also assume their domestic health insurance policies cover them outside of the U.S. Not necessarily.
“Most U.S. health insurance providers firmly limit themselves to domestic coverage,” explains Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye Travel Insurance. Medicare, for instance, generally doesn’t provide coverage outside the U.S. Even if your insurance does offer some international coverage, it may be limited.
Even credit card coverage has its limits. Over the past two years, many credit card insurance offerings have undergone significant changes. These include lowered limits, coverage reductions, and, in some cases, the complete voiding of certain benefits.
“These adjustments can surprise travelers who have historically relied heavily on the insurance benefits provided by their credit cards for travel-related protections,” notes Frank Harrison, regional security director of the Americas at World Travel Protection.
Why it’s so dangerous: If you’re not insured, you might have to pay for medical coverage out of pocket and in extreme cases you could be denied lifesaving medical medical care. Know before you go.
Assumption 2: Your VPN will protect you from all cybercrime when you travel
It won’t. “Nothing can be a true silver bullet for all cyberattacks and hacks,” says Emily Belton, a privacy advocate for ExpressVPN. “The best way to keep your travel accounts secure is to adopt a multi-faceted approach.”
A recent ExpressVPN survey found that 81 percent of Americans have shared passwords with their partners, potentially compromising security. If your password is compromised, then a VPN won’t be enough to protect you from an online travel scam.
One way to ensure you’re protected is to never share your password, even with someone you know and trust (or think you trust). Belton also recommends using a password manager that allows you to generate distinct, complex passwords across accounts. The best password managers will also alert you to data breaches, assess your password health, and generate one-time codes for two-factor authentication.
“Perhaps the biggest mistake consumers make when it comes to cybersecurity is simply not taking it seriously,” adds Belton.
Why it’s so dangerous: Your devices are exposed to more risk when you travel, from prying eyes of border security to unsecure Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi networks can share your data with third parties while rogue networks can look at your passwords or inject malware into your device, resulting in hacks such as identity theft. You could unwittingly expose your personal information to a bad actor when you’re away without even knowing it.
Assumption 3: The place you’re visiting this summer will be safe
“Travelers often assume that just because a destination was safe in the past, it remains so,” says Raymond Yorke, a spokesman for Redpoint Travel Protection. “Political instability, crime, and environmental factors can change quickly. Always check updated government advisories, such as those provided by the U.S. State Department or the CDC, for the most recent travel warnings and safety recommendations.”
Experts also recommend signing up for alerts from the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
And err on the side of caution by booking accommodations in safer neighborhoods and traveling with local guides — even if you think you know the area well. Because if 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that conditions can change without notice.
Why it’s so dangerous: The geopolitical situation promises to be more volatile than it’s been in years, and safety warnings can change at a moment’s notice. “You have to research your destination—understand any potential health risks, political or social tensions, and weather or climate patterns,” advises John Gobbels, chief operating officer of air medical transport and travel security program Medjet. “If you’re heading to a region prone to natural disasters, make sure you know the emergency protocols and how to contact local authorities.”
Want to travel safer? In 2025, assume nothing
If you’re concerned about safety when you travel, here’s the golden rule in 2025: Assume nothing.
I’m taking that advice to heart. I’m headed to Dubai soon, and with all that’s going on in the Middle East, I’m glued to the travel advisories and monitoring the news. Yes, I have a VPN, but I’ve taken other precautions as well, including two-factor authentication on my most sensitive accounts and other recommended steps that safeguard my passwords. And I have triple-redundant coverage — my credit card, travel insurance and travel medical insurance.
If 2024 has taught me anything, it’s that crystal balls are out and crystal-clear planning is in. As you venture into a world where even the most innocuous tweet could spark an international incident, and your favorite beach resort might suddenly decide to erupt in riots, the art of assumption-free travel becomes not just a skill, but a survival tactic.
So don’t forget to pack your skepticism, your research skills, and your ability to pivot faster than a politician in an election year.
