The school holidays are around the corner, and if you’re thinking about to go away with your family, you need to be prepared and plan ahead. 

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe, and boost your chance of having a smooth trip by following our holiday checklist.

CAR INSPECTION:

A week or two before you plan to leave, take your car in for a full check to ensure that it’s safe to drive.

– Tyres: All four tyres must be aligned and pressure must be checked,  including the spare.
– Windscreen wipers: Front and rear wipers must be working, and the washer  fluid must be full.
– Seatbelts: Ensure all seatbelts in the car are working properly.
– First aid kit: Have a well-stocked kit in case of an emergency.  
– Tools: Check that you have jumper cables, jack, wheel spanner, warning  triangle, etc.
– Brakes and battery: These need to be working efficiently.
– Lights: Brake lights and headlights need to be operational.
– Oil, water, coolants: Levels of all need to be filled up
– GPS: Consider a navigation system, particularly if you’re travelling    somewhere new.

UPDATE INSURANCE:

It’s not recommended to travel unless you have insurance. Check with your insurer to find out exactly what you are and aren’t covered for, when you’re on holiday. Keep all necessary emergency contact telephone numbers and information with you at all times. We recommend that you check the following types of insurance:

– Vehicle: Damage, theft and repairs can happen anywhere, by if you have insurance you can save yourself time and money. Check what your policy covers (e.g. towing) and what it states about shared driving. Also, don’t forget to insure your trailer, caravan or boat if you are taking these with you.

– Home: Make sure your home insurance is up to date, and the contents of your house are adequately covered. If you are taking expensive items such as laptops and cameras with you, consider all risk cover.

– Travel: If you are planning on leaving the country, it’s vital that all your documents are in order. It is also essential that you completely understand what your cover is in the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident outside of South Africa’s border.

You can’t predict or avoid an accident, but you can take steps to minimise any problems. By checking your insurance policy you’ll be able to go on holiday with peace of mind, and enjoy your well-earned break. Speak to us today about your policy – 0860 13 13 14.