Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental overseas medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation, may prove useful. Boiling water or purchasing bottled water for consumption is recommended. The crime rate in the Republic of the Marshall Islands is relatively low, but increasing.
Most common crimes are break-ins and thefts from homes, hotel rooms and vehicles.
Random acts of vandalism are also on the rise. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police, and the U.S. Embassy in Majuro. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.