As the saying goes, “Life happens while you’re making other plans.” So you shouldn’t only focus on where you’ll be staying and what you’ll be packing. “Now is a good time to check your insurance details are up-to-date and that you are holding up your side of the insurance agreements, so if you need to claim, it will be straight forward,” says Bertus Visser, Chief Executive of Distribution at PSG Insure.
If you’re planning a road trip, things to consider include:
- Are you the main driver registered on your car insurance policy? If someone will be sharing the driving load, make sure you are comprehensively covered on your car insurance.
- If you break down or get into an accident, are you insured for assistance and have the correct contact numbers?
- If you have a tracker system, is it in working order?
For instance, don’t forget to put on the burglar alarm or to close all windows and doors and to lock all security fixtures. “If you are insured as having a locked security gate on your back door, for example, you need to make sure this is the case,” says Visser.
“It would also be wise to turn off unnecessary appliances while you’re away and to switch off plug points, as precautions to avoid fires and accidents.”
To prevent your home from looking like a target, you can ask a trusted neighbour or friend to pop in to bring your mail and newspapers inside, open or close your curtains, or even take your wheelie bin out on trash days. “It’s important, if possible, to maintain the illusion that someone is home. It is even better to hire a reputable house sitter,” Visser says.
Your home contents insurance, which covers the contents in your home, must also be sufficient. “If you’re under-insured you may encounter problems if you need to claim.” You can also add in personal liability insurance, which could become useful if you decide to have a house sitter come and stay. “
This would cover you against any claims a house sitter could make while staying in your home, for example if items of theirs are stolen during a break-in, or if they fall down your stairs,” he adds.
Finally, ensure that your household insurance is up to scratch. This covers events including fire or water damage from floods or a burst geyser. “If you’re getting a house sitter, make sure he or she has your insurance broker’s details so if something does go wrong, they know who to call,” Visser says.
“Be sure to give these details to your emergency contact as well. Accidents can happen and you should rather be safe than sorry,” he concludes.
