Protect Yourself Financially When Traveling

Sometimes, things just don’t go as planned. When preparing for a trip, it’s best to think ahead. Ask yourself, how can I protect myself financially while away? And we aren’t just talking about making sure your bank and credit card providers know you are traveling. We’re talking bigger picture — a large sum of money is suddenly needed, or important financial information is stolen or lost. While thinking of negative what if’s can put a damper on vacation planning, it’s essential.

SunTrust Private Wealth Management recommends asking yourself important questions before departure:

• Do you have a back-up plan if your passport/credit cards, etc., are stolen? Do you have the numbers for your card issuers?
• If you need to check your account overseas, what security precautions should you take?
• Will someone at home know where to find your financial information if there’s an emergency? What about other important documents?

SunTrust and other banks offer financial planning tools for travelers. In addition to helpful features that address the risks of traveling, SunTrust SummitView is an online financial planning tool that enables people to integrate all of their accounts and investments from various sources, allowing them to see their full financial picture in one place and the full scope of their financial plan. In the event of an emergency, family can access an up-to-date summary of the assets.