Travel tips before you travel
To help you to make the most of your holiday, here are some simple insurance and travel tips before you travel:
Tip 1: Know your destination
You invest a lot of time and money in your holiday so it’s worth spending a bit of extra time researching your holiday destination to get the most from it. Even if it’s a last minute trip, you can pick up a guide book or surf some travel websites on the internet to get a better idea of the holiday activities you can do; any customs or traditions you should be aware of; expected holiday weather; and transport and payment facilities that will be available.
Tip 2: Travel insurance
Take out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday to ensure you are covered in the event of a cancellation. Make sure that your travel insurance covers you for the length of your trip, for the destination you’ll be traveling to, and for the activities you’ll be doing.
Make sure your policy provides cover for:
a. all potential medical bills
b. an air ambulance in case you need to be flown home
c. bringing your family home in the event of your illness or injury
d. any sporting or adventure activities you may be doing
e. replacing and / or bringing your car home if you are taking it abroad
If you plan to use travel insurance provided as a benefit on your credit card, make sure you read your policy carefully. Some policies linked to credit cards will only cover you if the full amount of the holiday was paid on that credit card.
If you decide to take valuables on holiday with you, make sure your insurance cover is sufficient and that you are aware of all of the terms on your travel insurance policy. It may state that items need to be stored in a safe. If you are unsure, contact your travel insurer, or consider covering the items under your household contents insurance.
Tip 3: Do as many things as you can before you travel to save yourself time and money:
- Check that your passport has at least six months left on it (from the date of your return journey home)
- Check the vaccinations you need at least six weeks before you travel
- Check if there are any Visa requirements for the country you’ll be visiting
- Arrange airport parking or taxi to and from the airport
- Arrange airport transfers at your destination
- Order travellers cheques or any currency you might need
Tip 4: Have a healthy holiday
- Ensure that you take your travel insurance details with you, and have the emergency helpline number easily available
- If you're travelling within the EU, get an ECIH card for free or reduced cost emergency medical care. This shouldn’t be used as an alternative to travel insurance as it will not cover you for any repatriation or air ambulance that you may need. It may only reduce the costs of actual medical treatment
- Pack any medication in your hand luggage
Tip 5: Holiday money and Travellers Cheques
- Take a mixture of cash, travellers cheques and credit / debit cards
- Make a note of your travellers' cheque numbers in a different place to your travellers cheques
- In most of Europe you now need euros. For the US always take dollar denominated travellers cheques. Also take dollars to Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean
Only take the cards on holiday that you are likely to use - leave store cards, company credit cards, and any other cards you won't use in a safe place at home
- If you’re planning to use your credit or debit cards abroad, be sure to let your bank know before hand. Some banks will automatically block your card if it is used in a different location and you’ll be unable to use it until you’ve been able to contact them. In addition, it’s important to check what you will be charged for using your card abroad. It can sometimes be more economical to take cash or travellers cheques
- Make sure the card is accepted in the country you are visiting, especially if you plan to draw cash on them
- Make a note of debit and credit card company emergency telephone numbers
Tip 6: At home
- Let your neighbours know you’re going on holiday, and ask them to keep an eye on your home
- Cancel the milk and papers
- Let your household insurer know if you’re planning a long trip abroad
- Consider using a timer to switch on some of the lights at night
- Clear any perishable items from your fridge
Tip 7: Final check list before you travel
- Travel insurance documents and 24 hour helpline number
- Passport
- Visas
- Tickets
- Money/traveller's cheques/credit/debit cards
- Luggage tags – be sure to write your onward destination on your luggage tags, not your home address (unless you are on your return journey)
- Medication
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