Travel Alerts vs. Travel Warnings

In today’s climate, it’s not unheard of for the government to issue travel warnings and travel alerts. Depending on where you’re traveling to and what you’ll be doing while you’re there, it’s important to understand how these two differ as they could potentially affect your trip.

A travel alert is also known as a travel public announcement and is typically short in nature. These alerts are issued due to factors like events that are related to terrorism, an anniversary of a specific terrorist event, and political unrest. These alerts are usually accompanied by information regarding potential threats and short-term conditions that the government believes may affect American travelers and pose significant risks to their security. Travel alerts were recently issued due to the hurricane and typhoon seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico.

A travel warning is considered more severe than a travel alert and means that the State Department is suggesting Americans entirely avoid traveling to a particular country because of instability, or when a U.S. embassy or consulate is closed, therefore reducing the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens. The U.S. Department of State issued travel warnings back in April urging citizens to avoid travel to several states in Mexico due to increased crime threats and violent homicides. It’s important to note that warnings do not mean you cannot travel to the country in question, they are simply meant as safety or precautionary measures.

Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types around the world. We offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insuranceinternational travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. 

Our company mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com