The holiday season is a time to unwind, travel and make memories with loved ones – but it’s also a time when risks can increase, both at home and on the road. From unoccupied houses and excited pets to long road trips and travel adventures abroad, the festive period calls for extra vigilance to ensure you’re covered for every eventuality.
“Before you pack your bags or hang up your holiday decorations, take a moment to review your insurance policies, safety measures and emergency plans,” says Michael Whitehead from Aon South Africa insurance brokers and risk advisers. “A few proactive steps now can prevent financial and emotional stress later – helping you enjoy a worry-free holiday, knowing your home, belongings and health are well-protected,” he adds.
At home
Make sure your homeowner’s insurance is up to date with any additions or changes made during the year. Don’t overlook any big-ticket holiday gifts that may need to be added to your insurance, such as electronic devices.
Test your alarm system to make sure it is in working order well before your departure, and arm it whenever your home is unattended. Check with your broker on any stipulations set out in your homeowners’ insurance.
If you are heading out for the holidays, engage the services of a house sitter or a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on things. Make sure they have the necessary emergency numbers in case a claim needs to be made, and take note of any added value benefits included in your cover, such as home assistance (blocked drain, broken window, locksmith etc).
Make sure your pets are taken care of, and provide your pet insurance details to their caregiver should your pets need veterinary care while you are away.
If you are capitalising on the ‘sharing economy’ and renting out your home over the holiday season, speak to your broker about liability and damage risks to make sure your insurance covers are correctly scoped.
On the road
Take note of any items that are travelling with you on holiday, such as laptops, sporting equipment, cellular phones, cameras etc. and check that these items are specified under the ‘All Risks’ section of your insurance policy for cover outside of your home.
Do a vehicle and trailer inspection and make sure they are roadworthy and properly licensed. Check your spare tyre and make sure you have basic emergency items onboard, such as a jack, spanner, towing rope, jumper cables and a first-aid kit.
Don’t overlook the validity date of your driver’s licence, and make sure you have it with you when driving.
Test your vehicle’s tracking device and any panic buttons you may have onboard.
Take note of any added value benefits included in your motor insurance cover such as roadside assistance, towing etc.
If you plan to rent a vehicle at your destination, you will need to take coverage for the vehicle through the rental agency. Check the terms and conditions and your responsibilities in respect of the contract, and make sure your driver’s licence is recognised if you are travelling overseas.
Healthcare and emergencies
Confirm with your medical scheme provider what cover you have, especially if you are travelling outside South African borders.
Check to see what hospitals and medical professionals are approved on your medical scheme’s network of providers close to your place of stay.
Make sure you have medical emergency numbers loaded on your phone, both at home and at your holiday destination.
Put an emergency evacuation plan in place in the event of something going wrong at your destination, for example health risks, floods, crime, terror attacks etc. Confirm with your travel insurance provider if this is included in your cover.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is especially important for an international trip and provides you with a variety of benefits such as:
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Emergency medical transportation
- Lost or damaged baggage
- Personal accident
- Medical expenses and repatriation
- Delays and cancellations
- Winter sports
“The festive season should be filled with joy, not the frustration of unexpected claims, losses or emergencies. Speak to your insurance broker to confirm that your policies are up to date and that you understand what’s included – and what’s not.
“With the right cover and precautions in place, you can focus on what truly matters this holiday season: celebrating safely and making lasting memories with those you care about most,” Whitehead concludes.
Image credit: Freepik/creativeart
