Go beyond copies of your passport docs and medical records

In case something goes wrong on your trip, it’s always a good idea to have extra [% 2517871 | | copies %] of your passport, itinerary, key medical records, and the like. If your bags get lost, stolen, or are simply delayed, though, having all those extra copies stashed away in your luggage may not do you much good. There are two solutions that involve a lot less paper.

One is to back up all your documents on a USB flash drive, which you can keep attached to your keychain. Prices for the most basic flash drives start at under $10. If something goes wrong once you arrive at your destination, just turn over your flash drive to the nearest embassy, hospital, or travel official to access your documentation. You can also email copies of your documents to yourself—just make sure you send them to an email address you can access from any computer.

If you want a bit more security, consider setting up an account with an “online safe deposit box” through a company such as KeepYouSafe, which enables you to upload key documents, credit card and customer service numbers, travelers’ check stubs, and more—for free. Your account will be password protected and guarded on a secure network.

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