8 Tips To Avoid Spring Break Disaster

News Release

Contact:
Tricia Glodowski
1-888-411-4911
info@csiprotection.com

Spring break is a time for students to kick back and forget about the burdens of research papers, speeches and midterms, but experts say it's not an excuse to disregard common sense and safety, either.

Government and insurance experts offer students simple tips to help protect themselves and their belongings, such as valuable electronics and jewelry, while off campus or away from home during spring break.

Protect Yourself

• Phone home regularly to let parents or guardians know where you are and that you’re OK.
• Register with the U.S. embassy or consulate through the State Department so there is record of where you are in case an emergency arises. Registration only takes a few minutes at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
• The government urges students traveling to Mexico to only use licensed and regulated “sitio” taxis. Some illegitimate taxi drivers are actually criminals, and some have been known to rob, kidnap or rape victims.
• Realize that alcohol plays a factor in the majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes and deaths suffered by American students on spring break, according to government officials.
• Don’t swim on beaches without lifeguards, and be careful in hotel or motel pools when overseas because drain systems are not always up to U.S. standards, a government Web site warned.

Protect Your Things

• The U.S. government warns students that theft is a common problem during spring break, but it’s also important to lock up dorm rooms and protect items left behind before leaving for spring break vacation, too, security experts say.
• Purchase low-cost, low-deductible, specialized insurance from a reputable company, such as CSI, to protect possessions abroad. For instance, CSI, which has been featured in the New York Times, covers stolen or damaged iPods, downloaded songs, cell phones, laptops and other electronics that often are not covered by homeowners' insurance when students travel outside the country or away anywhere off campus.
• When purchasing insurance to protect your possessions, ask the sales representative if coverage includes things that could occur during spring break, such as: spilling alcohol on an iPod, dropping a laptop on a sidewalk, having something stolen from your hotel room or accidentally dropping a cell phone in a pool.

One California couple that purchased insurance for their daughter before she went abroad said:
"As a parent, no one wishes to have to file these claims. We all hope our children will be cautious and safe. CSI not only cared about our daughter’s stolen items, but her well being."

Links:

Know Before You Go: Spring Break in Mexico http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html
College Student Insurance
www.collegestudentinsurance.com