URGING LAWMAKERS TO FIND A DEAL TO END THE SHUTDOWN. AND IT IS A STRESSFUL TIME FOR U.S. TRAVELERS. WE HAVE RECENTLY SPOKEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS STUCK IN COUNTRIES LIKE DUBAI BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT WITH IRAN, AS WELL AS MEXICO, BECAUSE OF ISSUES WITH THE CARTEL AND WITH SPRING BREAK TRAVEL AND SUMMER RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, OUR ERIN BURNETT SPOKE WITH THE TRAVEL EXPERT ABOUT HOW TO BEST PREPARE FOR UPCOMING TRAVEL. ERIN GOOD MORNING. WHAT DID THEY TELL YOU? GOOD MORNING GUYS. PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL RIGHT NOW. LIKE DOES TRAVEL INSURANCE HELP IN THESE SITUATIONS? AND WHAT DO I DO IF I GET STUCK IN A COUNTRY? WELL, WE SPOKE WITH LAURA MURILLO, WHO’S THE OWNER OF DE.LUCA LUXURY TRAVEL DESIGNER IN WINSTON-SALEM, AND SHE SAYS THESE ARE QUESTIONS SHE’S GETTING A LOT FROM HER CLIENTS LATELY. SO LET’S START WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE. SHE SAYS YOU NEED TO READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE BUYING IT. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE, SHE SAYS, WHILE MANY COMPANIES COVER SITUATIONS LIKE TERRORIST ATTACKS, EVERY COMPANY HAS A DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF WHAT SITUATIONS QUALIFY. AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF GRAY SPACE IN MANY OF THESE SITUATIONS. YOU GUYS MENTIONED THAT WE’VE WATCHED PLAY OUT LATELY. SO SHE SAYS, DON’T BE SURPRISED IF A SITUATION IS NOT COVERED. ALSO, MURILLO SAYS THERE ARE INSURANCES THAT SPECIFICALLY COVER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE. A FEW OTHER TIPS SHE SHARED INCLUDED PLANNING YOUR TRIP AT LEAST 4 TO 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE, AND USING A PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENT. OFTEN TIMES THEY HAVE CONNECTIONS THAT YOU DON’T AS A REGULAR PERSON THAT COULD HELP IN CERTAIN EMERGENCIES OR IN GENERAL WHILE ON YOUR TRIP. SHE ALSO STRESSED CHEAPER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO WHERE YOU’RE STAYING. YOU REALLY WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THINGS LIKE LOCATION. ALSO, REGISTER WITH THE U.S. EMBASSIES WHILE YOU’RE ABROAD. STAY UP TO DATE. AS FAR AS LIKE THE NOTICES THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS ISSUING AND THAT KIND OF THING, YOU CAN ACTUALLY REGISTER WITH THE EMBASSY OF WHERE YOU’RE GOING. YOU CAN LET THEM KNOW, HEY, I’M GOING TO BE HERE. THAT’S A REALLY HELPFUL TIP AS WELL. IF YOU’RE CONCERNED, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE GOING SOMEWHERE NEAR THE CONFLICT, YOU CAN READ MORE TIPS FROM MARIALO ON OUR WEBSITE, WXII 12 DOT COM. WE’LL ALS
Travel safety tips: How to prepare for international travel as global tensions rise
Planning a trip overseas soon? Read these pro-tips from a travel agent first
Updated: 6:49 AM EDT Mar 18, 2026
Are you planning a spring break or summer vacation abroad?Recently, we have watched Americans from across the country and right here in the Piedmont Triad get stuck in Mexico and Dubai because of various global conflicts.As Americans continue to make travel plans, Laura Morillo, owner of Deluca Luxury Travel Designer in Winston-Salem, said her clients are asking questions like, does travel insurance cover war? And what countries are safe to travel to right now?The first piece of advice Morillo had was that people should be aware that there is always a certain level of risk associated with traveling both domestically and internationally.Travel InsuranceMorillo advised travelers to read the fine print of travel insurance policies.She said many companies offer coverage for terrorist attacks. But the definition of a situation like this can vary between companies. This means not all situations may be covered. “A lot of people have a misconception about that. they can just get travel insurance, and if things get a little complicated, they can just tap out and be like, ‘I’m not going,’ and use the travel insurance. It will cover some situations, but, if there’s any government-mandated bans, like we had during COVID, or if the government says you can’t go to whatever country, it does not cover things like that,” Morillo said.Morillo explained that travel insurance is often insurance for whatever is non-refundable.She explained that in many unforeseen circumstances, many suppliers like cruises and airlines will step in and refund the money before the insurance ever has to be used.’Cancel Anytime Insurance’Morillo said some companies offer insurance, which is sometimes called ‘cancel anytime insurance.’ She explained it can be expensive, but it usually allows travelers to cancel a trip and get covered, without having to justify a reason. She said for travelers who are particularly nervous or uncomfortable about global relations right now, this could be your best option. Traditional Travel Insurance But Morillo said she still believes buying travel insurance is worth it, because it can help with weather-related issues, injuries and illnesses.How to plan safelyMorillo recommended:planning trips at least four to six months in advanceusing a professional travel advisor for their connections and expertise (which can sometimes help you get out of a sticky situation abroad)prioritizing safety over cost when choosing accommodations.Register with the U.S. embassies in the countries you are visiting for updates and assistanceWhat countries are safe to travel to right now?Morillo said it’s just a matter of being smart and paying attention to what is going on abroad. If there is a major conflict in a particular area, she said, you could avoid that country and neighboring destinations.But don’t let current events paralyze you from exploring the world.What to do if I get stuck in a country and flights are canceled?Especially in the case when all flights out of a country are canceled, Morillo said oftentimes travelers will likely have to wait out this situation, because there isn’t much (that even professionals can do) to get you out quicker. However, she said you can try getting home through bordering countries. “I’ve also seen people that have been able to get transportation near another airport that maybe is in a different country or a different province, or whatever the case may be, and get out that way,” she said.She said some insurance companies have a type of hotline that you can call for emergencies.”They will try to help you. But it’s not like a given that your policy is going to cover absolutely everything, or they’re going to have, like a special flight, you know, like a charter flight, fly out there and get you out,” she said.And Morillo said that is just one more resource and/or person on your team in a situation like this. She said having these resources can give many travelers peace of mind before even booking their flight.
Are you planning a spring break or summer vacation abroad?
Recently, we have watched Americans from across the country and right here in the Piedmont Triad get stuck in Mexico and Dubai because of various global conflicts.
As Americans continue to make travel plans, Laura Morillo, owner of Deluca Luxury Travel Designer in Winston-Salem, said her clients are asking questions like, does travel insurance cover war? And what countries are safe to travel to right now?
The first piece of advice Morillo had was that people should be aware that there is always a certain level of risk associated with traveling both domestically and internationally.
Travel Insurance
Morillo advised travelers to read the fine print of travel insurance policies.
She said many companies offer coverage for terrorist attacks. But the definition of a situation like this can vary between companies. This means not all situations may be covered.
“A lot of people have a misconception about that. [They think] they can just get travel insurance, and if things get a little complicated, they can just tap out and be like, ‘I’m not going,’ and use the travel insurance. It will cover some situations, but, [for example] if there’s any government-mandated bans, like we had during COVID, or if the government says you can’t go to whatever country, it does not cover things like that,” Morillo said.
Morillo explained that travel insurance is often insurance for whatever is non-refundable.
She explained that in many unforeseen circumstances, many suppliers like cruises and airlines will step in and refund the money before the insurance ever has to be used.
‘Cancel Anytime Insurance’
Morillo said some companies offer insurance, which is sometimes called ‘cancel anytime insurance.’ She explained it can be expensive, but it usually allows travelers to cancel a trip and get covered, without having to justify a reason.
She said for travelers who are particularly nervous or uncomfortable about global relations right now, this could be your best option.
Traditional Travel Insurance
But Morillo said she still believes buying travel insurance is worth it, because it can help with weather-related issues, injuries and illnesses.
How to plan safely
Morillo recommended:
- planning trips at least four to six months in advance
- using a professional travel advisor for their connections and expertise (which can sometimes help you get out of a sticky situation abroad)
- prioritizing safety over cost when choosing accommodations.
- Register with the U.S. embassies in the countries you are visiting for updates and assistance
What countries are safe to travel to right now?
Morillo said it’s just a matter of being smart and paying attention to what is going on abroad. If there is a major conflict in a particular area, she said, you could avoid that country and neighboring destinations.
But don’t let current events paralyze you from exploring the world.
What to do if I get stuck in a country and flights are canceled?
Especially in the case when all flights out of a country are canceled, Morillo said oftentimes travelers will likely have to wait out this situation, because there isn’t much (that even professionals can do) to get you out quicker.
However, she said you can try getting home through bordering countries.
“I’ve also seen people that have been able to get transportation near another airport that maybe is in a different country or a different province, or whatever the case may be, and get out that way,” she said.
She said some insurance companies have a type of hotline that you can call for emergencies.
“They will try to help you. But it’s not like a given that your policy is going to cover absolutely everything, or they’re going to have, like a special flight, you know, like a charter flight, fly out there and get you out,” she said.
And Morillo said that is just one more resource and/or person on your team in a situation like this.
She said having these resources can give many travelers peace of mind before even booking their flight.
