Don't forget travel insurance!

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones have become key accessories for modern travelers, so keeping your electronics safe and fully charged is very important. Whether you're looking to entertain yourself at a busy airport or find your way in a foreign city, be sure to consider these helpful technology tips before your next trip:

Buy a foreign SIM card

International travel can be expensive, especially if you plan on frequently using your mobile phone to make calls, browse the internet or scroll through social media. To avoid racking up outrageously high roaming charges, purchase an international or local SIM card. Most options come with prepaid minutes, texts and data, which can reduce your phone bill without limiting your smartphone usage.

Keep your smartphone in airplane mode

Even the most energy efficient electronics run out of battery eventually, which is why it's a good idea to put your mobile devices in airplane mode when you're not using them. This helps you conserve battery power while you're on the go and may eliminate the need for an external charger. When activated, airplane mode will automatically switch off your cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, ensuring your devices are charged when you need them most.

Always bring a backup charger

For many travelers, forgetting their smartphone or laptop charger in a hotel room or at the airport is a bit of a nightmare scenario. Keeping track of all your tech accessories can be difficult when you're moving from place to place, so it's important to have a backup plan. Be sure to bring along a second charging cable for any of your must-have electronics and remember to research local power plug formats if you're traveling internationally.

Try to avoid using public Wi-Fi

While a stable Wi-Fi connection may help you cut down on roaming charges and data usage, it can also put your personal information in harm's way. Most publicly-accessible Wi-Fi networks are unencrypted and unsecured, which can leave you vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and identity theft. Using these networks, hackers can intercept the data that passes between your device and the websites you're visiting, including account logins, online transactions and more.

Save everything to an external hard drive

Traveling with expensive electronics comes with a few inherent risks, both for your devices and the files stored on your hard drive. Backing up your important photos, documents and personal information to an external hard drive before you leave can help prevent a total loss if your laptop or smartphone is ever stolen, lost or damaged. Accidents do happen, so it's important to be prepared for worst case scenarios and take precautions whenever possible.

Bonus Tip: Purchase Travel Insurance

You can’t prepare for everything, so remembering to pack a travel insurance plan through Travel Guard is important. Travel Guard’s travel insurance plans can provide coverage for lost or stolen baggage as well as medical expenses and emergency medical evacuations. Travel Guard’s assistance services can also go to work on your behalf re-booking flights and hotels, locating lost luggage and more. To find out more call 877.414.8506, visit www.travelguard.com, or ask your travel advisor.

Situated on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand, this small capital city is one of the most popular travel destinations in all of Denmark. Copenhagen is a major hub of Scandinavian culture and is home to over 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the Nordic-themed Noma, which was named the best restaurant in the world four times between 2010 and 2014. Adventurous travelers can explore the cobbled streets and lavish historic buildings scattered throughout the city or take a day trip to one of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Roskilde Cathedral, Kronborg Castle and Stevns Klint.

“My wife and I were enjoying a vacation to Barbados when she became ill. After a couple of trips to the clinic in Barbados we decided to cut our trip short. Travel Guard took care of everything they said they would in a very timely manner. I have used Travel Guard many times and I would highly recommend them to everyone!”

-  Gary Y