Are You Ready to Go?! ARAG Offers Five Spring Break To-Dos

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Feb 26, 2015, 01:50 ET

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Are you ready for spring break? Maybe it's that vacation of your dreams or the fun family getaway you take each year. Wherever you're headed, include the following items before you start packing so you don't carry on any legal issues.

Update Crucial Documents – Creating essential legal documents, like a will or a healthcare power of attorney, is always a good idea, but updating them before you travel becomes even more important. "Make sure these documents contain the most current beneficiaries and instructions," said Ann Cosimano, ARAG General Counsel. "If you don't have a will, you may leave important decisions – such as guardians for your children – up to the court system and the laws of the state."
Consolidate Important Information – It's helpful to put your personal, financial and legal information in one place before you leave town. You can easily consolidate information in the ARAG^® Personal Information Organizer. "Tracking all critical information is incredibly useful for a trusted family member or friend to reference in case something happens to you," said Cosimano.
Get Your Travel Documents Together – If you plan to travel internationally, you'll be required to have a passport – or a passport card if you are traveling to certain countries or regions by sea or by land. The application process involves several steps and takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete. Visit www.travel.state.gov for more information.
Additionally, a state-issued driver's license is considered valid proof of ID at the airport, so remember to bring it along when you fly. Before you go, remember to check the expiration date and make sure all your information on the license is current. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), if your identity cannot be verified, you may not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint or get on an airplane.
Complete Healthcare Forms for Children – If you are a parent or guardian, it is a good idea to complete a form referred to as a Medical Treatment Authorization for Minors. This document provides information regarding your child's medical history as well as insurance information and authorizes medical personnel to treat your child in the event you are not physically present or you cannot be located or contacted.
Review Rental Contracts Carefully – If you're planning to rent a car, vacation home or a boat, make sure you understand the terms and conditions involved. Some rental cars, for example, impose strict mileage restrictions for first time renters. It may be a good idea to have an attorney review the document before you sign on the dotted line.

An additional spring break safeguard is to enroll in a legal plan that offers convenient access to a nationwide network of attorneys and legal resources. These types of plans, which are offered by providers like ARAG, give members peace of mind knowing that they'll have immediate access to professional services and resources when a legal need arises. Legal plans often cost less than a roadside assistance membership and are usually offered through employers or organizations, although some options are also available to individuals. To find out more about how legal plans work, visit www.ARAGgroup.com.

About ARAG:

ARAG^® (www.ARAGgroup.com) is a leader in legal insurance. It provides people with affordable and reliable legal counsel for everyday life matters. The company has an international premium base of more than $2 billion and protects 15.5 million individuals and their families – worldwide. We give you the freedom and control to embrace life's opportunities.

ARAG's North American headquarters are based in Des Moines, Iowa. We've earned the prestigious Center of Excellence Award for eight consecutive years (2007-2014) and have been named a Top 100 Call Center by BenchMark Portal for four consecutive years (2011-2014), continuing our track record of industry-leading customer service. ARAG team members voted ARAG a Best Places to Work in Insurance (2009-2014).

For more news and information about ARAG visit ARAGgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Jen Harken, Corporate Communications Manager

[email protected] or 515-237-0271

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