Vacations are a time to relax and have fun, but travel plans can quickly unravel due to unforeseen disruptions, including travel delays, medical emergencies and crisis situations.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways agents and brokers can help clients prepare and prevent any interruption while on vacation.

Pre-departure prep

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         1. Going small: When clients are choosing a hotel, advise them to stay in a smaller, boutique hotel, many of which offer five-star amenities. It can be less conspicuous than staying at a larger chain that might attract a thief's eye due to the sheer number of tourist guests.

         2. (Don't) stand out from the crowd: Clients should keep cultural differences in mind when choosing what clothing to bring. Recommend they research local customs about skin exposure and clothing colors, including which jewelry and accessories to bring prior to departure (best practice is always to leave valuable jewelry at home).

         3. Know where they're going: With more than 1.25 million road traffic-related deaths each year, clients should only rent a car if they are familiar with the terrain, particularly if they're traveling to emerging or developing countries. Confirm that your clients' auto policies include worldwide coverage.

         4. Leave some papers behind: While there are certain documents clients should bring with them on vacation — including their driver's license, passport, visa and itinerary — having clients make a copy of these documents and leaving them with a trusted friend or family member prior to departure is equally as critical. Alternatively, clients can scan and store the documents online to help ensure instant access in the event they're lost or stolen.

Related: Bon voyage: 4 keys to staying safe during vacation season

On-the-ground considerations

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         1. Sightsee safely: When traveling around town, taking a taxi is preferable to public transportation. Clients should have their hotel arrange a ride to ensure the driver works for a registered company. With public transportation, advise they map their routes in advance and stay aware of their surroundings.

         2. Take a social media break: Although clients can be tempted to post trip highlights to their social media accounts while on vacation, doing so can put them at risk. In addition to alerting local thieves that an unsuspecting tourist is nearby, it can send a signal to criminals that their residence is unoccupied or empty. Clients should never post their travel plans or travel dates online. If they must go online they should be wary of using unsecure Wi-Fi connections offered in restaurants, bars and tourist sites.

         3. Write it down: If clients are traveling with small children, ensure that their kids know their address and phone number before heading out for the day. Clients should tuck a note in their children's pockets with the local hotel and embassy or consulate phone numbers. It can add extra protection if they're separated from their children.

Annmarie Camp is Executive VP, North American Sales & Distribution Leader at Chubb Personal Risk Services. She can be reached by sending email to [email protected].