Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Free Travel Safety Alerts

Key Takeaways

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free U.S. State Department service that may provide security and safety alerts for destinations you visit.
STEP alerts may make it easier to stay informed about emergencies abroad and to connect with nearby U.S. embassies or consulates if you need assistance.
Pairing STEP enrollment with a Generali Global Assistance travel protection plan may offer both timely information from the State Department and potential financial protection for covered trip interruptions or emergencies.

Everyone wants to be a smarter – and safer – traveler. Fortunately, the U.S. State Department has made smart, safe travel easier with its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP.

The STEP program is one of the best ways to stay abreast of security and safety issues in the countries where you travel. It works for two big reasons:

1) It leverages the power and reach of the State Department’s network of embassies and consulates around the world; and

2) It’s free.

STEP was set up to protect the interests and lives of U.S. citizens when they travel abroad, and notify them of things that may put them in danger or alter their travel plans.

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How To Sign Up

You can subscribe to the STEP travel program online, by providing your full name and email, and the countries you plan to visit. If you’re currently traveling, you can sign up for email alerts and updates pertaining to your itinerary.

You can also download the free Smart Traveler app from iTunes or Google Play, and use that to sign up and get alerts.

The one thing you need to remember about STEP is that it works on a per-trip basis. You need to sign up for each international trip you take.

5 Reasons to Use the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

STEP can provide information about your destinations before you leave. You aren’t likely to cancel your trip just because the State Department sends you a security bulletin, but it never hurts to be more informed.
STEP can send you safety updates. You’re probably not paying attention to the news headlines when you’re traveling. You may not know if you’re heading into political unrest, violence, or natural disasters. STEP alerts you of these issues. And what could be better than having the State Department feeding you the latest travel information?

Also read: The 6 Top Travel Emergencies and How To Deal With Them
STEP can help with evacuation. When a crisis strikes, you’ll discover STEP’s real value. STEP may provide notifications of a pending natural disaster or emergency in your area, and send you evacuation information once a disaster hits. In addition, registering for STEP makes it easier for the State Department to find you, and get you the help you need – up to and including evacuation. In addition, STEP can make it easier for you to get to nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if you need help.
STEP makes it easier to contact you if a family emergency arises back home. There are two groups you need to worry about when you travel: You and your traveling companions, and then the folks back home. If disaster strikes back home, natural or otherwise, STEP can get in touch with you and help expedite your return home.
STEP makes it easier for you to contact a local embassy or consulate. Even in a case of something as simple as getting lost in a city and being unable to find your way back to your hotel, STEP can help, either by giving directions or pointing you towards mass transit, a cab or an Uber.

Police clash with protesters in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018.

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Real‑World Examples of How STEP Helps Travelers

You can see the real-world benefits of the STEP program once you’re out on the road. Suppose you’re in Paris and there’s a protest scheduled for that day that shuts down a lot of the city. STEP alerts you and you adjust your plans for the day.

Or suppose you’re traveling in Antarctica and you get a message that a relative is severely ill. STEP can inform you of what’s going on and help you get in touch with the nearest embassy and consulate to arrange transportation back home.

One of the best things about STEP is how well it works with a travel protection plan. Consider the previous example. If a sick family member is one of the covered reasons for trip interruption in your travel protection plan, the plan may help cover the cost your trip back home, and STEP may inform you of the issue and help you connect with the nearest embassy to start the return-home process.

Remember: You need to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for each international trip you take.

But if you can remember that, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program will be a big step forward in travel safety for you and your traveling companions. Just don’t forget to pair it with a travel protection plan!

Also read: How Travel Insurance Helps When You’re Sick and Stuck Abroad