It may sound obvious, but before you do anything else, make sure you have comprehensive car insurance and home insurance in place. Although the first two items on the list below can be done the minute before you leave, the rest of the items on this list cannot be left until the last minute. It is always advised to inform your broker in advance of any items you might be taking with you on holiday that do not normally leave the safety of your home, to be specified on your policy.
Here are a few tips that will help make your time away from home more enjoyable and you can rest at ease knowing that you are covered:
1. Unplug all unnecessary electrical appliances Make sure to unplug any unnecessary appliances (e.g. TV, coffee maker, kettle) to protect your home from possible power surges or fire.
2. Lock all doors and windows Double check that all doors are locked and that all windows are shut properly.
3. Contact your alarm company Let your alarm company know that you are going on holiday and do a final check to make sure that the alarm, all motion sensors as well as the electric fence are in working order before you leave. Make sure to set the burglar alarm when you leave on holiday.
4. Install exterior lights If possible, try to install exterior lights activated by motion sensors a few weeks before you leave. This may deter criminals from targeting your property.
5. Use a timer switch Consider using a timer switch to turn your lights on at random times of the evening, rather than programming this to switch off and on at the same time every day.
6. Safely store all jewellery and valuables The best option would be not to store any jewellery or valuables in your home whilst you’re away. However, if you have no choice in the matter, make sure to lock these away safely.
7. Take your car for a roadworthy inspection Take your car for a roadworthy inspection and make sure the tyres and breaks are in good working order. Double check that each tyre has adequate tread (1mm of tread). In our opinion, it’s best to replace your tyres if the tread is below 3mm limits as this directly affects the tyre’s ability to function properly.
8. Check the condition of your windows and wipers Inspect your windows for any chips or cracks and have these fixed before you leave on holiday. Also, check that your window wipers are in good working order.
9. Check the condition of the spare wheel Make sure that the spare wheel is in a good condition and that you have all the necessary tools to be able to change a wheel and tyre on the road.
10. Invest in safety equipment If you do not have a reflective triangle in your car, it may be best to pop to the shops and buy one before you leave on holiday. In addition to this, you can also invest in a good quality flashlight that you can use to warn motorists that your car has broken down.
If you have any insurance-related questions, please contact us.